JASON KENNEDY: THE INDUSTRY ALLIANCE

cost: $20 (as a 1st timer; regular $30)
time: 3 hours
actors called in: ??
actors booked: ??

location: The Industry Alliance
(for other locations see blog FACILITIES)

Jason is a newly appointed casting director (former associate to) with Susan Bluestein for NCIS and NCIS: LA. He is slightly nebbish. He opened the workshop with a ton of tips and basic information, ranging from "know the show you are auditioning for. Know if you're coming in for us that NCIS has an inherent sense of humor. Some shows have no humor", to "be present and professional on set", and more obvious ones like make sure you know proper pronunciation for your sides (this is the 2nd time I've heard this tip! It must happen a lot for 2 cd's to mention it). I found his tone to b

Save as Draft

e very dry and factual, which bordered on degrading, even though he said this was an advanced workshop. Nothing specific, though. He mentioned that he thinks CastingAbout.com is a very good resource (which i've seen tons of times below my actors access log in, but didn't pay much attention to); said he has found all their contact info to be consistently accurate. He said he prefers postcards for follow up, but to just select one person in the office to send it to (again, 2nd time hearing this tip).  He also said that he does not keep very good records of actors from workshops!  

1. First, He talked for a good hour after we started 10 min. late.
2. Then, we took a 10min break while he reviewed our headshot/resumes to pair us up.
3. We then had 10 min or so to work with our partner on the scene.
4. He asked us to go up by volunteer and perform given scene. He gave one redirect to each pair. The scenes given were mixed equally between 3-camera-comedy and police-procedural drama (he has a bkgd casting for sit com).
   

It's really interesting to me as an observer how the commited actors really stand out. While I think my scene partner and I were one of the better reads that day, I left feeling disappointed. On one hand, I think I surprised myself with how good I did for the cold read, but I was frustrated that I only had one scene. I would have liked to read a co-star role or two that i know i could nail; the size of role for which I would likely be brought in . Then again, maybe i should just reach for bigger things and be grateful that he got to see me in 3pages of sides and hope he will know to call me in for what is right. This just seems like a big gap.

I think casting director brains work in a specific way though. Knowing this, I wonder if maybe he did get to know me better than I think.

THE FACILITY:  cold unheated theater. And since I paid for my first encounter with this casting director, I would like it if Jason thought very highly of the situation where we met. I wonder if this will inhibit him from calling me in...

OVERALL: Will totally go back to Industry Alliance & keep in touch with Jason Kennedy via mail! 


Success4Actors!!
*********************
**********************
***********************