Confessions of a Casting Director

by Jen Rudin

  Fast-forward to the year 2000, when Survivor debuted, modeled after the Swedish television series Expedition Robinson. In 2002 came American Idol, based on the popular British show Pop Idol. American Idol introduced the world to now-famous household names such as Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Jordin Sparks, and Clay Aiken. And the dueling, dynamic, dramatic personalities of Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul hooked viewers in to watch the show week after week.

  Warwick sums up the differences between the early 1990s and today: “Back then the British called it ‘factual entertainment,’ since the projects weren’t scripted, and in those days, the stories were more important. Today, it’s the characters that are more important. You have to find people who are bigger than what they do. Look at Abby Lee Miller on Dance Moms. She could be a kindergarten teacher and we’d still watch. You could be the best blacksmith in the world, but if you don’t have a personality that supersedes your profession, nobody cares and nobody will watch. There has to be conflict in every reality show. Everybody wants more drama.”

  How to Find Out About Casting for Reality Shows

  In the 1990s, and up until just a few years ago, applicants for reality television went through a process that involved answering questions in a self-taped interview that they could record on a home camcorder. The interview was then mailed or FedExed to the reality show offices. Today, Skype is widely used for reality interviews. And Warwick confirms that if someone’s personality is strong enough and shows through, they may actually get cast on the basis of a Skype session.

  You can find out about reality casting by visiting www.realitywanted.com (or one of the other sites listed on pages 100–101) or through Facebook, Twitter, and Craigslist. All you need is a phone with access to social media to find out about reality postings. You have the potential to become famous by simply checking information on your phone. Scary or exciting? You be the judge!

  Grease: You’re the One That I Want!

  NBC’s reality show Grease: You’re the One That I Want! aired in 2007. At first, I had no interest in watching. But because I loved the original movie Grease so much (the movie shares an elevated status with The Brady Bunch in my opinion), I decided to check out the show. I ended up watching, found myself caring about the outcome, and actually voted!

  Here’s what the show’s winners, Laura Osnes and Max Crumm, and contestant Kate Rockwell had to share about their experiences with reality.

  Red Bulls and Long Lines

  In 2006, Max Crumm was a twenty-one-year-old actor living in L.A. He was in the shower when his roommate saw a commercial for the Grease reality show. They were holding auditions the next day. Max’s roommate encouraged him to go and audition, certain he had the talent to win. That night, Max couldn’t sleep, and decided it was a sign. So he got up at 5 A.M. and drove to the audition. After two Red Bulls and standing in line for four hours, Max made it past three rounds of singing and finally got to sing for the show’s director, Kathleen Marshall. Several rounds later, he was chosen as one of the seven actors who would compete on the show for the role of Danny Zuko.

  Max kept his expectations low throughout most of the episodes. He was convinced he wasn’t going to win and just hoped that the national exposure would help him land a better agent. A naturally quirky type, he was even confused when he actually won the competition, convinced it was supposed to be Austin Miller or one of the other more traditionally attractive male contestants. Opening as Danny Zuko on Broadway later on in 2007 was bittersweet—both a dream come true and a rude awakening to the demands of Broadway.

  Looking back, Max is thankful for the show. He never thought he’d get to do Broadway and he’ll never take the experience on the reality show for granted. Today people still stop him on the street to tell him they voted for him. He thanks them and tells them they are the reason he gets to do what he loves. Max still watches reality shows, but has mild panic attacks when people start to get eliminated. “They are singing or cooking for their lives. Reality shows are my generation’s way of getting ahead. If you have a good heart and are in the right place and working as hard as you can on a reality show, people will receive you and you will have a chance to do what it is you want to do.”

  ASK THE

  CASTING DIRECTOR

  * * *

  Does being a real actor hurt or help your chances of getting cast on reality shows?

  I couldn’t sell one show because the guy on the show (a former actor) was too nice. He wanted to use his acting skills to get on television. But he was too affable and didn’t yell at people, so no one wanted to buy the show. Viewers want to see real people they can relate to on shows they love to watch and root for.

  —MICHAEL WARWICK,

  director of casting and talent

  development for A. Smith & Co.,

  Los Angeles

  How Grease: You’re the One That I Want!

  Brought a New Audience to Broadway

  Today, Laura Osnes is a true Broadway star. She’s originated and performed coveted roles on Broadway, including Nellie Forbush in the 2008 Broadway revival of South Pacific, Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde, and, most recently, the title role in Broadway’s Cinderella. But back in 2007, when she arrived to the open call for the Grease reality show, she was just one of a thousand standing in line, dreaming of Broadway.

  “Nothing like this had ever been done in America. For me, the show was great exposure and opened up many doors. Today many people still wait for me at the stage door and say, ‘I voted for you on Grease!’”

  Upon reflection, the best part of the reality show in her estimation was that it brought a whole new audience to see Grease on Broadway. “I loved that so many families chose to make plans to visit New York to see a Broadway show instead of opting for a vacation at Disneyland. The reality show brought a new audience to Broadway.”

  The Dark Realities of Reality

  When Kate Rockwell was chosen to compete on the Grease reality show, she recalls being told countless times by the network executives: “Your life is going to change. You’re going to be TV stars and Broadway stars.”

  Years after the fact, Rockwell shared some of the negative parts of the experience: There was the brutal elimination process where the contestants stood in rows and sang “Tears on My Pillow” over and over for two hours. There were the day-to-day realities of the contestants being sequestered in a house, cut off from any Internet or cell phone reception and being transported to and from the rehearsals and tapings in a fifteen-passenger van. “We were supposed to be taken to the grocery store once a week, but often that wasn’t the case. We couldn’t make any plans because at any moment they might need one of us for an interview or rehearsal. There was a lot of manipulation and being left in the dark.” Another tricky issue for Kate was the endless sound bites and interviews the contestants were asked to give. “When they needed a sound bite, you were not released until you said what they wanted you to say. Many times they wanted me to say, ‘I should win this competition because I am the best singer here.’”

  Despite these obstacles, Kate Rockwell has gone on to star on Broadway in numerous productions, including Hair, Legally Blonde, Bring It On: The Musical, and Rock of Ages, in which she played the lead role, Sherrie.

  Ali Stroker’s experience as a contestant on The Glee Project mirrored many of the stories that Kate shared with me. Ali got involved when she saw a casting call posted on Facebook. She posted her video submissions on Myspace and on The Glee Project’s own website. Ali quickly discovered through the casting process that in reality shows, it’s not just about choosing the most talented people but choosing the best pieces to fit the overall puzzle.

  Once she was on the show, Ali’s life changed completely. Thousands of people were following her on social media and rooting for her on a show where she played herself. This was a new world for Ali, who came from theater. “After a show, people wait to meet you outside the stage door. There’s so much more exposu
re when you’re on national TV.”

  And there were the rules of reality on The Glee Project. Everyone’s privacy was invaded. The group lived together in one room with no full walls. Participants were not allowed to leave the house or to speak at meals. Ali sums it up: “With no phone or computer distractions or contact with other people, you are forced to focus on what you are doing, which is competing, and this helps to raise the stakes. The further away you are from actual reality, the more important the competition feels and seems, and that’s one way the shows get their drama.”

  In the end, Ali was grateful for the opportunity. She ended up doing a guest spot on Glee. “It’s totally my world. A little pop. A little underdog.”

  * * *

  Helpful Websites for Reality Audition Information

  www.realitywanted.com

  www.sirlinksalot.net/castingcalls.html

  www.starnow.com

  www.mtv.com/ontv/castingcall

  www.castingcallhub.com/tryout/reality-tv

  www.nonscripted.tv

  www.craigslist.org (look under creative gigs)

  www.twitter.com (use the search function or hashtags)

  And be sure to check out Facebook for reality casting notes and announcements. There are many casting and audition groups like Put Me on TV. You don’t even have to have a computer. A good smartphone that’s connected to social media can provide all the information you need to find out about the latest reality casting opportunities.

  * * *

  Tips for a Great Reality Show Audition

  •Be yourself. If you’re trying out for a Survivor-type show, make sure you genuinely want to have an outdoor experience. If you’re auditioning for a vocal talent competition, you’d better like to sing. If you try being someone you’re not, it will show, and you likely will not make it past the first round of auditions.

  •Be selective. If you keep submitting for every single reality show and you’re not selective, the casting directors and field producers will start recognizing you and possibly ignore your audition tapes. It’s the equivalent of an actor submitting for every role, even when they don’t fit the age, gender, or ethnicity in the casting breakdown. This drives us casting directors crazy! The market is saturated with applicants; please don’t be the guy who applies to every single show.

  •Personality is key! If you have a great personality, it will shine through no matter what the medium: phone interview, video, even a Skype interview.

  AUDITION STORIES

  EPIC SUCCESS

  * * *

  I had an epic success at an audition for FOX’s Glee. We were told to prepare a song to sing that would showcase an impressive belter range. They gave examples like Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger.” They were looking for powerful showstoppers. With a few days to prepare, I went with the more classic choice of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The waiting room for the audition was intimidating, filled with over-eighteen-year-olds and Broadway veterans galore. But with my acoustic guitar by my side (just in case I was asked to sing a different song with a different vibe), my pink dress, and my own personality, I realized I was unique and I would do the best I could. Once I was called into the audition room, I was asked to sing my song. I belted away, more than pleased with my performance. Once I finished, the casting director said, “That was good! Now I want it transposed a full step up and for you to sing it in that key now. You can do that, right? I just want to know that you can reach those notes.” I was already belting Cs and Ds, and any singer knows how terrifying transposing on the spot can be. However, I confidently nodded my head and sang every note perfectly, staying focused. Once I was done, the casting director immediately told me she loved me and wanted me to come in for a callback. Confidence and determination will always go a long way!

  —HEATHER BRAVERMAN,

  age sixteen

  How to Become a YouTube Sensation

  If you opt not to pursue a reality show, there’s always YouTube. Dani Shay hails from Orlando, Florida, and has been a singer-songwriter for the past seven years. Three years ago, when Justin Bieber hit the scene, people started to tell her that she looked like him. One Thanksgiving, she was working at her parents’ shoe store at the local shopping mall in Orlando and was mobbed on a lunch break by crazed Bieber fans.

  Later that day, Dani looked him up and was shocked to see how much he really did look like her. She promptly wrote a parody of his hit song “Baby” called “What the Hell” and released a video of it in December 2010. She also made a video and cover of Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie.” Both videos went viral in early 2011 and she became an immediate YouTube sensation. Pop tastemakers posted the videos and they spread like wildfire. Perez Hilton, Yahoo!, World Star Hip Hop, and OK! magazine posted the videos. No surprise: Dani’s YouTube inbox filled up with offers.

  America’s Got Talent reached out to Dani to see if she’d audition for the show. At first she resisted and wondered if doing a reality show would make her an immediate sellout or less of an artist. Then she remembered her goal: to reach people with her music. She flew to Houston to audition. After appearing on America’s Got Talent, she next appeared on The Glee Project.

  I asked Dani how her career has changed after the YouTube videos and reality shows. Her music has gone global, with 117,000 Facebook fans and 64,000 Twitter followers experiencing her music videos in places as far-flung as Malaysia, Australia, and Africa. She credits Twitter for allowing her to make incredible connections through just a simple 140-character message.

  Going Viral: The Best Sites to Post Your Videos

  There are countless sites where users can post videos that have the potential to go viral. Here are my top three, in order of preference:

  1.YouTube: Easy to use and a destination for casting directors and producers to view your material. Raymond J. Lee has had numerous videos that have gone viral thanks to YouTube. “I think if you put out a good video that’s funny or fun, that’s the best way to attempt a viral video. YouTube is an amazing platform to get your material seen. Because of my own videos that have gone viral, I’ve been able to get work and people know what I can do as a filmmaker.”

  2.Vimeo: Many agents and managers use this to pitch their clients’ reels. It’s usually password protected and the video quality is very clear. Vimeo is professional and easy to use.

  3.Twitter: Posting your videos here works for social stuff, but I think it’s better to use a more professional site like YouTube or Vimeo first, then people can tweet your videos from there.

  Webisodes and the Evolution of the Web Series

  Many actors act in or create webisodes as a creative outlet and to increase acting opportunities. A webisode is an episode of a series available online either for download or for instant streaming. Webisodes are distributed through video-sharing sites such as Vimeo or YouTube. While there is no set standard for length, most webisodes are relatively short, ranging from three to fifteen minutes in length.

  Creating Her Own Work: Julia Tokarz and It’s Not Okay, Cupid!

  Actress Julia Tokarz writes, produces, directs, and stars in a Web series called It’s Not Okay, Cupid! with Stefanie Grassley, a fellow alumna from the Upright Citizen’s Brigade (UCB) theater.* Before this series, she acted in a few webisodes written, produced, and directed by UCB alumni who posted auditions on the UCB website. Julia shared the basic details:

  Most webisodes are nonunion and are for gaining exposure. There’s usually no pay. You show up and there’s free food. The time commitment is normally one to two days.

  I think that for people who are interested in comedy and improv it’s a great medium for us to showcase our work and get it out there. For people outside of the box who don’t book shows, it’s nice to be able to write and have our work shown, especially if you like to write. Webisodes are so easy because you can include a link in an e-mail and people can just click on it and share it. We are still developing and creating it to what fi
ts us better, but in terms of creativity, it is definitely the most creative venture I’ve undertaken and it’s very fulfilling. It’s really hard not having money to back you up and no real support. It takes a certain personality in order to do all this. But it’s so worth it. It’s really rewarding watching people watch your work. We just won five awards at the L.A. Web Festival.

  Visit www.itsnotokaycupidtheseries.com for more details.

  ASK THE

  ACTOR

  * * *

  What’s the payoff for actors who do webisodes?

  When you’re an artist you like to be part of something creative. So when friends are doing things that they believe in, it’s sexy. It’s sexy when people are passionate about something. To see someone excited about making a webisode is infectious and you want to be part of it too! Also, as an actor you can put your work from a webisode into a reel and show people later what you did.

  —MIKE KELTON,

  www.mikekelton.com

  No Other Hands in the Creative Kitchen: It Could Be Worse

  Actors Wesley Taylor and Mitchell Jarvis met back in 2008 in the original off-Broadway cast of Rock of Ages. As part of the show’s marketing campaign, actors in the cast were given flip cameras and asked to start filming themselves going out to eat, or on their lunch break. The footage would be used on the show’s website.

  Wesley and Mitchell put up twelve minutes of raw footage, but found it boring and unfocused. They joined with their cast mate Lauren Molina and decided to make “mockumentary” sketches backstage. They started recording cast mates backstage in costume. The videos quickly went from mockumentary to genre parody.