The holiday season is here and it's time to put together the gift list. Sometimes present hunting can be difficult for your actor friends, so we made it easy for you. Here are some things that they'll love: 

<h3 class="text-center"><b>1. Coffee mugs that help their day get started.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/mug.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
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You can shop the mug [here.](https://www.etsy.com/listing/571096017/big-deal-actor-mug-gifts-for-actors?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=gifts+for+actors&ref=sr_gallery-1-3) 

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<h3 class="text-center"><b>2. Shakespeare tea to go with the coffee mug.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/tea.jpg" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
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Shakespeare can really inspire creativity. Pair this tea set with the mug. 
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You can shop it [here.](https://popchart.co/products/a-comprehensive-curtain-call-of-broadway-costumes?variant=5223103812&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiAk53-BRD0ARIsAJuNhpsfuO17QxQLtrE0CI5HaDWePhbNZO4eHXATgmwCOGuK7OOYa3v8xl8aAlbxEALw_wcB) 

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<h3 class="text-center"><b>3. Audition log journals.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/acting1.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
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It's helpful when actors can log their journey to success to track their progress. 

You can shop the book [here.](https://www.redbubble.com/i/notebook/Acting-by-eficamus/26134783.RXH2R?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=g.pla+notset&country_code=US)

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<h3 class="text-center"><b>4. Lighting for their auditions.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/lightingset.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
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Auditioning at home can be a pain, especially when it comes to lighting. This will help make sure they break a leg during with the casting director. 

You can shop the set [here](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VLD360--on-stage-stands-vld360-led-ring-light-kit?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organicpla).

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<h3 class="text-center"><b>5. Inspire them at home.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/costumes.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
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The theater friend of yours will LOVE this art. 

You can shop it [here](https://popchart.co/products/a-comprehensive-curtain-call-of-broadway-costumes?variant=5223103812&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiAk53-BRD0ARIsAJuNhpsfuO17QxQLtrE0CI5HaDWePhbNZO4eHXATgmwCOGuK7OOYa3v8xl8aAlbxEALw_wcB).

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<h3 class="text-center"><b>6. Encourage them to train.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/box.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
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Something like this is a very thoughtful gift for both beginners and pro's. Practice makes perfect! 

You can shop it [here.](https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/the-box-of-emotions?country=US&utm_source=google%20surfaces&utm_medium=organic)

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<h3 class="text-center"><b>7. Get into the mind of a casting director.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/castingdirector.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
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The casting world is tricky to navigate, and this book gives some insights. 

You can shop it [here](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-start-to-stardom-rochell-goodrich/1134532099?ean=9781493771448).

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<h3 class="text-center"><b>8. Something for game night.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/game.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
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Tired of playing charades? Get them a game that'll test their knowledge. 

You can shop it [here.](https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/cinephile-game)
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<h3 class="text-center"><b>9. Put them in the drivers seat.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/chair.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
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Trust us... they'll find a space in their home for something as cool as this. 

You can shop the chair [here.](https://www.theclassyhome.com/Product/CHOM-206-32-032-15/Casual+Home+Black+Extra+Wide+Premium+30+Inch+Directors+Chair?g=t)
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<h3 class="text-center"><b>10. Gift them the coolest whiteboard.</b></h3>
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/guides/clapboard.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
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A pretty cool gift for someone who likes to keep notes, but hates notepads, in their office. 

You can shop it [here.](https://www.amazon.com/Zacro-Acrylic-Clapboard-Magnetic-Blackboard/dp/B07PYSJRXR/ref=sr_1_45?dchild=1&keywords=Gifts+for+Actors&qid=1606949883&sr=8-45)
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Do you have suggestions to add to this guide? Did you get a gift off of this list and loved it?  Reach out! Contact us [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/contactus).

The Holiday Gift Guide for Actors

Jennifer Hamady is a voice coach and board-certified counselor specializing in technical and emotional issues that interfere with self-expression. With offices in Washington DC and New York City, Jennifer works in private practice with musicians and others to discover, develop, and confidently release their personal, professional, and creative potential. Her clients include Grammy, American Music, and Country Music award-winners, performers in Emmy and Tony winning productions, and corporate clients across an array of industries, including IBM, The American Bar Association, Merck and Wells Fargo.

Jennifer sat down with us to chat all things casting.

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/jenniferhandy.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
<b>Tell us about you and your career. When & how did you get started?</b>
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. My first professional gigs were singing the National Anthem for the Washington DC United, Capitals, and Wizards, starting at around the age of 15. From there, I studied music in college while performing in shows and working in studios. After graduation, I worked on my first record and got the lead role in my first national tour. 

<b>Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on?</b>
I’ve been really lucky. Many years of paying dues eventually paid off, and I’ve had the privilege of touring, recording, and/or performing with Wyclef Jean, Def Leppard, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Christina Aguilera and others. I also was a lead singer in Cirque du Soleil’s world tour of DELERIUM for two years. All truly special experiences. 

<b>Are you working on anything cool right now?</b>
Now in my 40s, and with a young family, my focus has shifted to voice and performance coaching. I’m also a therapist, having discovered that so many seemingly technical issues are actually caused or exacerbated by emotional ones. I write frequently on the topic for Psychology Today and in my own books.  

<b>How do you feel about the casting process? Easy, hard? How did you first navigate it?</b>
Well, it certainly takes some getting used to! But I found that just like dealing with performance anxiety, the more I got up again and again and auditioned, the more comfortable I felt. I’ll never forget this one time… I got a last-minute call to audition in LA to sing backup for Rod Stewart. It was the next afternoon, and I had to be back in New York the day after for an industrial gig, singing a pitch for a pharmaceutical company. So I booked a flight, went out, sang, and took a red eye back for my New York performance. While that was going on, I got a call back from Rod Stewart’s team, who wanted me in LA again that evening! So back again I went on a flight that afternoon, singing around 8pm before passing out in a hotel. I didn’t get the gig, but I did my absolute best and am proud that I always said YES to any and every opportunity that came my way. I remember often thinking something was impossible, or unreasonable, like that audition. And then I would do it anyway.  

<b>What advice do you have for people about to go on their first audition?</b>
For starters… say yes to everything. Not only to develop the skill of extending yourself again and again, but as well, you never know where you’ll make the relationships that will develop into meaningful professional opportunities and friendships. This includes attending all kinds of casting calls, even those you may not feel are entirely suited for you and even some you think are ‘beneath’ you. Getting yourself in front of agents and supervisors is always a good thing, as is humility. And the more practice, the better. 

Specifically, for those auditioning for the first time, I have two bits of advice. The first is to Practice, Practice, Practice! And film yourself while doing so, so you can see how you actually occur rather than how you think you’re doing. When you do go in, do your absolute best– no excuses– then move onto the next audition. 

The other thing I’d say is to anticipate and embrace your performance anxiety. Resisting it is not only futile, it tends to make it worse. Let the heightened adrenaline and energy fuel rather than hinder your auditions and performances. Remember too that everyone gets nervous. We’re all in this thing together.

<b>What’s the best/worst part about the casting process?</b>
Obviously, it can be nerve-wracking. But I think the biggest challenge is that you’re not always able to get feedback on what did and didn’t work… feedback that would be so helpful to your growth and development. On the positive side– if you choose to see it this way– you’re getting the opportunity to practice your craft and performance for free. Once you’ve started to make a name for yourself, you will begin to get that desired feedback, as well as coaching and relationships that will help you to become your best. 

<b>What’s your favorite TV show of 2020?</b>
Honestly, I don’t watch a whole lot of TV. I love Bill Maher and check out Curb Your Enthusiasm now and again when I need a laugh. I loved all of the seasons of Homeland.  

<b>Where can we find you?</b>
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[Website](https://findingyourvoice.com )
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Voice Coach Jennifer Hamady Talks About Casting

Nikki Blonsky is an actress, singer and best known for her role in the 2007 film Hairspray as Tracy Turnblad. She sat down with Casting Depot to chat about lessons learned during her journey to success in the industry.

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/nikki+blonsky.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>

<b>What’s your full name and occupation?</b>

Nikki Blonsky/ Actress and entertainer.

<b>Tell us about you and your career.</b>

My career started 14 years ago when I first auditioned for the movie musical, Hairspray. Prior to that, my only performing experience was in my high school shows. Singing was my main passion growing up and when I discovered theater in high school, I knew I found where I was meant to be. 

<b>Tell us about your credits.</b>

My credits include 'Hairspray' which was released in 2007. 'Queensized', a Lifetime original, was filmed shortly after Hairspray, which was followed by the ABC Family (now Freeform) original, Huge. I've been blessed to have been a part of incredible shows like 'Ugly Betty' and 'Smash'.  Working on Films such as 'The English Teacher' and 'Geography Club' were exceptional experiences. For me, one of the most eye-opening, favorite experiences was when I worked alongside the late, Burt Reynolds on the film 'The Last Movie Star'. He made a massive impression on me and my work.

<b>Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?</b>

I have had to make difficult decisions such as turning down roles early on in my career, that didn't morally align with me when I was younger, and now that I'm older I've learned to be more comfortable and not be afraid of the risks that come with playing certain roles because I've also learned in life that the risk is truly worth the reward.

<b>What advice do you have for people looking to break into the industry?</b>

My advice for someone breaking into the entertainment business is that no matter how many times you get knocked down in this business or in life, you must keep going and trying at all costs. If you have a passion to act or perform, run with that passion. You never know unless you try and remember when there is one rejection from a role, there will be another role that is right for you. Just keep auditioning for everything!

<b>What are your favorite shows/film?</b>

My favorite movies are 'Mary Poppins' with Julie Andrews; she has always been an idol of mine. My favorite movie from high school was '10 things I hate about you', and it's still my top favorite movies. My favorite TV show growing up has always been 'Will and Grace', it has always meant so much to me and working with Debra Messing on Smash was surreal! Right now, I'm currently watching 'Bly Manor' and 'Ratchet' on Netflix, and I'm absolutely in love with both of these shows.

<b>What’s is been like working during COVID19?</b>

Working during Covid has been a tough experience for everyone. For me, I have missed set and missed the camaraderie of building a project together and I look forward to that again. I started my own podcast called Nikki Nights and that has kept me in touch with a lot of my friends in the entertainment business and some new people. I've learned a ton from hosting this show and interviewing them. It's been a wonderful experience!

<b>Your website and link to online video if any.</b>

Nikki Nights can be found on Spotify [here](https://open.spotify.com/show/4zY0GFUKSkyCwsAPuMR0cs). Her Instagram handle is @NikkiBlonsky



Hairspray Star Nikki Blonsky Gives Us Industry Advice

MTV just announced the greenlight of ‘Ridiculousness’ called‘Deliciousness’ to be hosted by Tiffani Thiessen. While we're sad that the era of Rob will end here, we're excited to see what the network plans to do with this new show. Will it be able to create the network effect that Ridiculousness did? Here's what we know:

Tiffani, best known for her show Dinner at Tiffani's on the Cooking Channel, will be joined by panelists Angel Kinsey, Tim Chantarangsu, and Kel Mitchell. Tiffani is also an author of the best-selling cookbook, Pull Up a Chair. The show is set to air with a holiday-themed special on December 14th @ 7PM PT/ET.

MTV says, "From nourriture blunders to restaurant fails to kids in the kitchen and more, Deliciousness celebrates our greatest indulgences – food and drink. Helping to satisfy the foodie in all of us, chaque episode will showcase the internet’s most viral and entertaining videos.”

However Ridiculousness isn't fully off-air, yet. The series will return on December 14th with their holiday episode at 6PM PT/ET. TBD if they'll get another season, but this current season is slated for 10 episodes. Chanel West Coast and Sterling "Steelo" Brim will join Rob Dyrdek as guests per usual. 

The series will again be produced by Gorilla Flicks and Superjacket Productions, a subsidiary of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment.

MTV's 'Ridiculousness' Gets a Spinoff

<b>Casting Depot</b> is emerging as the industry’s professional network for all facets of the talent-booking process. With intents to deepen their impact on the talent-booking workflow, the company just announced two new exciting features for users as part of their v2 beta launch - payroll processing and legal document management. 

Co-founders Lacey Kaelani and Brad Larson have led Casting Depot through a 446% month over month increase in talent user growth. The site hosts calls from industry players like Netflix, HBOMax, Twitch, Bumble, Verizon, and HGTV.

Now, Casting Depot directly addresses the inefficiency in  media-placement by offering complete end-to-end workflow tools - from talent discovery to job posting. Casting directors and companies now can process payroll and access legal documentation like NDAs, image release forms, and talent agreements. This functionality accommodates an increasingly wide variety of postings submitted to the site that call for all types of gigs, not just traditional talent. 

The v2 beta launch directly addresses feedback given from the 12-week-run v1 beta that began late in July. Creating a network which enabled unlimited access, for free as a social network, and a build out the complete end-to-end workflow process was the aggregate request from users. The team went back to the drawing board and refined the product.
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/homepage+v2.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">“By dropping the gates, we make it easy for everyone to have access to media and entertainment. Casting Depot is the go to network for creators and talent to engage and source gigs across the industry.”</h3>

The end-to-end market for on-camera placement is $28 Billion, and with 3,500 companies that book talent placement exclusively in the US, the market is expected to grow by 4.3% in 2020 alone. Despite this growth, discovery in the entertainment industry is outdated: opportunities live across multiple offline and online platforms, recruiting and processing talent payroll remain painfully expensive, and standardized legal documents aren’t integrated with talent bookings.  

Casting Depot is backed by startup accelerator Antler, and comprises an advisory Board filled with industry experts from companies such as CAA, Airtime, Workmarket (acquired by ADP), iHeartMedia and S&P. 

To sign up for Casting Depot, visit us at www.castingdepot.com/signup


Casting Depot V2 Beta Press Release 🚀

Wentworth Miller, our Prison Break heartthrob, is back for more SVU action in season 22. 
 
Recently severing ties with Fox, he's back as Isaiah Holmes for a special apperance. His storyline starts with being promoted to Lead of the Brooklyn Brooklyn District Attorney’s Civil Rights Unit in which Carisi will investigate one of Holmes's classmates.

This episode is set to air sometime early 2021. 

After taking to social media to explain the severance with any Prison Break reboots, he said “I’m out. Of PB. Officially... I just don’t want to play straight characters. Their stories have been told (and told)."

In the Instagram post, he continued to say, "So… no more Michael. If you were a fan of the show, hoping for additional seasons… I understand this is disappointing. I’m sorry.”

The upcoming season of Law and Order: SVU will (of course) tackle some big events that have taken place over 2020, especially in NYC. The series debuted this past week.

Wentworth Miller Returns to Law & Order: SVU

Stand-up comedian Shaun Eli has rightfully been called one of *America’s smartest comics*. His jokes have been quoted everywhere from the New York Post to Readers Digest to Healthcare Finance News. Cool, right? We were lucky enough to sit down with Shaun to ask burning questions about the journey to a successful career and ask for some industry advice.

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/shaun+eli+breidbart.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/><b>What’s your full name and occupation?</b>

Shaun Eli Breidbart, though I go by Shaun Eli on stage. I’m a stand-up comedian and I founded a company that is now the largest independent producer of stand-up comedy shows for theatres. Or at least it was before covid shut everything down.

<b>Tell us about you and your career.</b>
	
After college I started working in finance. When Jay Leno first took over The Tonight Show I’d read the newspaper, think of something funny, and then see him saying the same thing that night on his show. I called and pitched myself as a freelance writer and was accepted to send him jokes. I did that for almost the entire run of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
In 2003 I was on a date with a woman who said I should try stand-up. I’d had friends who were actors and I was never interested in performing, not since an annoying experience being in the fifth grade play. She suggested I start by taking a class that she’d taken, and invited me to see a performance by graduates of the class. They were funnier than I’d expected so I took the class, started performing, started getting paid, and six years later I left my day job. I say that leaving Wall Street for stand-up comedy is the best trade I’ve ever made.


<b>Tell us about your credits. </b>

Just before the pandemic we shot our first TV special “The Ivy League of Comedy” at the Emelin Theatre in NY. I worked with five other comedians. I’ve headlined comedy shows on five continents (so far). For almost two decades I sold jokes to Jay Leno for his Tonight Show monologue, and also to two other late-night talk show hosts. And I was a semi-regular on the nationally-syndicated Joey Reynolds Radio Show (which was syndicated to over 100 markets in the U.S.).

<b>Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?</b>

Convincing my “You should be a doctor, or if not that, a lawyer or scientist or college professor, or maybe it’s okay to work in business” parents that I was leaving all that for something in the arts wasn’t easy. Before telling them, I put together a business plan showing them how much I was making and estimating how much more I could make without the limitations of a day job.

As far as lessons learned- they say that if you invent a better mousetrap people will beat a path to your door. That’s totally wrong. If you check the Patent Office database you’ll see a zillion great mousetrap designs but most people still buy the basic snap traps that have been around for a hundred years. It’s really hard to get people to try anything new, whether it’s a mousetrap, a food or having a comedy show at their organization or theatre.
Even if you plan to work in the arts, take a few business courses. Unless you’re both supremely talented AND super lucky, you’ll need selling skills to succeed.


<b>What advice do you have for people looking to break into the industry?</b>

For stand-up I’d give you the exact same advice every comedian would give you- write some jokes and get on stage anywhere you can- open-mic nights, comedy club new talent nights, your social club’s dinner, etc. And prepare to fail, over and over again, because no matter how funny you think you are, it won’t be an easy journey. Learn from your mistakes- what jokes worked, which ones didn’t. Try to eliminate anything extraneous from your jokes. You’d be shocked at how much useless information new comics include in what they’re saying. Unless a detail is necessary for getting to the laugh, cross it out.

One thing I would add would be to start with a comedy class. There are comedians who say you can’t teach comedy, and they’re wrong. You can teach anything. We can’t make someone funny who isn’t, but we can steer them in the right direction, give pointers in writing and performing and teach the basic structure of a joke. You’ll also be learning in a supportive environment. I would say that a class will teach you to avoid about half the mistakes you’d otherwise make in your first six months. And you’ll make friends- people who can help you out and that you can work with. Most of a new comedian’s breaks come from other comedians.


<b>What are your favorite shows/film?</b>

I like watching stand-up comedy and used to enjoy the late-night talk show monologues but since covid they haven’t been that interesting- especially the hosts who had no stand-up comedy background aren’t doing well performing without an audience.
But as a comedian it’s hard to watch stand-up because I usually see where they’re going before they get to the joke. So I’m a tough audience member. Sometimes, though, I’ll be laughing at the premise because it’s clever and I know what the punchline will be.


<b>What’s is been like working during COVID19?</b>

Work? What’s that? I’ve barely had any shows and I don’t plan to perform indoors until it’s safe. Other comedians are working in clubs. I’ve said I don’t want to become the funniest comedian in America because everyone else died.

I’ve done some outdoor shows and some internet shows. The outdoor shows went way better than expected. I say that the secret to comedy is 100 people in a room that holds 70. It’s not just the comics who need to hear the laughter. The audience also needs to hear other people laughing to be comfortable laughing out loud. So we need a room where the laughter echoes. You don’t get that outside- the laughter dissipates. So I was pleasantly surprised that my outdoor and drive-in shows went so well. I guess people really need comedy right now.

I’ve also performed out on the street for my neighbors. They’d been asking me to and initially I resisted but then I realized I had all these new jokes and had no opportunities to try them out and fine-tune them. That also went really well.

<b>What's the plug?</b>

www.BrainChampagne.com is my website and has a few videos, both stand-up and other stuff I’ve done. My website also has a ton of comedy content, over 50,000 words worth of jokes. To give you an idea just how much that is, a typical novel is around 100,000 words.


Comedy Veteran Shaun Eli Breidbart Talks Standup During COVID

Joy is the founder of Third Person Omniscient Productions, a production company whose mission it is to produce powerful, meaningful, thought-provoking movies, plays, and television shows that enlighten audiences about the human condition, shed light on the meaning of life, and raise the collective consciousness. Casting Depot sat down with Joy to hear her journey to becoming the filmmaker she is today.

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/cheriel_brown_transparent.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>**What’s your full name and occupation?**

My name is Joy Cheriel Brown. I’m a filmmaker, which is an all-encompassing title I like to use because I’m a screenwriter, producer, and film director. I’m also an author and a playwright, and because I started my own production company, Third Person Omniscient Productions, I also consider myself to be an entrepreneur.</p>


**Tell us about you and your career.**

Well, it all started when I was 10-years-old. I had just seen Home Alone in the movie theatres, and this was an amazing experience. I saw it in February 1991, and it had been out since at least November 1990, and the theatre was still packed on the day I saw it with my family. Macaulay Culkin looked like he was having so much fun that I decided I wanted to be an actress, so I asked my parents if I could get an agent, and they told me no. So, I decided to write my own script, direct that, and sell it to 20th Century Fox, which was the distributor for Home Alone—don’t ask me how I knew that this is how that worked, I think I read it in a book or something.

Anyway, my friends who I had casted for the movie, lost interest, and the only adult I had casted was my cousin’s husband. At the time, directing and producing the movie was a little over my head, especially since I was figuring it out as I went along so I decided to just write screenplays instead, and that was my focus from 1991-2004—I took maybe like a year or two off here and there to learn Spanish and because of a mental health issue I experienced. In 2004, I directed my first short (which I wrote and also produced) as a thesis project as an undergrad at Howard University, and I formally started my production company eight years later in 2012. 

**Tell us about your credits.**

As I mentioned before, I wrote, directed, and produced a short film in college for the first time. It was called Figment (which can currently be found on my YouTube channel); in 2010, I was a high school English teacher, and I adapted one of my student’s essays into a short film called One Chance (also available on my YouTube channel), which premiered in 2011 in Bowie, Maryland; and in 2012, I made the short film, N.O.S., which is based on my first hospitalization for Schizoaffective Disorder in 1999 when I was 18. That film, N.O.S., premiered at the Reel Recovery Symposium and Film Festival in Los Angeles and New York City in 2018, and it was sold to ShortsTV this year and premiered on their channel back in June of this year (2020). Those are my film credits, but I have also produced a play that I wrote called Stuck, which premiered at the Washington, DC Capital Fringe Festival in 2019, and it received a four star review in DC Theatre Scene. Later that year, I went on to win Playwright of the Year from ACHI Magazine. Also in 2019, I wrote and published the book, “The Secret of Life Through Screenwriting: How to Use the Law of Attraction to Structure Your Screenplay, Create Characters, and Find Meaning in Your Script.”

**Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?**

As a producer, director, and entrepreneur, I always have to make difficult choices on a daily basis—from the little stuff like, where do I focus my time right now? I only have 24 hours in the day, to who do I hire for this role or responsibility, to even letting some professional relationships go because of a difference in the way the work is approached. Over the years, I have learned to trust my own intuition, and I also have learned to acquire as much knowledge as I can about everything that involves my profession, and then hire people who specialize in that thing when I can’t do it myself—for example, I’m definitely not great at lighting, shooting, or sound (ha ha). Gaining the periphery knowledge helps me know better who to hire. Trusting my intuition, acquiring knowledge, and trusting other people to know how to do their job has never steered me wrong. 

**What advice do you have for people looking to break into the industry?**

I personally have always felt like I would write and produce my own films and TV shows, and then later my own stage plays as well. It was while watching the credits roll for ER one Thursday night that I decided that I wanted to create my own TV series as well as movies. Despite all that, I still tried the traditional route as well. I would query agents and producers. When I was a kid, I wrote to everyone to help get my movies made—Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Sean “Puffy Combs,” Will Smith. The only responses I got were a headshot from Christina Ricci and Jennifer Aniston. Then as I got older, I would query production companies—in and outside of Los Angeles. At some point, I realized that I was sending the universe conflicting messages. I wanted to do my own thing, but yet, I was still pitching to others. I was even still pitching AFTER I started my production company. I went to my last pitch fest in 2013 and decided that the producers there couldn’t see my vision so I stayed the course and decided to do it myself. I currently have three projects that I’ve written in development at my production company—a feature film, TV series, and a stage play. I say all this to say that you don’t have to wait for someone else to give you permission or to say yes to you. Some people prefer to let someone else produce their script or give them a role— and there’s nothing wrong with that— but you can also do it yourself and make your own opportunities. It might take more work, but if you’re not getting any traction the traditional route, you might want to consider creating your own roles by writing your own script—I write for Script Magazine and I often offer advice to people who want to write screenplays. I’m a huge advocate for doing it yourself. Write your own script and star in that. I’ve always wanted to be an actress, and I still have to cross that bridge, but I’ve created some amazing roles for myself that I will play in the future. For people who really don’t want to do it themselves, and there are a lot of people in that category, become an expert at your craft—don’t worry about becoming famous or making a ton of money. When you expertly know your craft, I believe those other things will come—they have to, they are a byproduct of being excellent at your craft. So, study your craft, become consumed by it.


**What are your favorite shows/film?**

Right now my favorite TV show is This Is Us. It is literally the only show I watch every week. Everything else, I binge it when it I have two or three days to just watch TV and get through a season of whatever show I need to catch up on (I recently finished the last season of How to Get Away with Murder). This Is Us is one of the most well-written shows I’ve ever seen—right up there with ER. My favorite movie has been (500) Days of Summer since 2009. This is how much I loved that movie: Several years ago, I was working with a script consultant and I mentioned that movie to him and how amazing it is. He told me that he had taught one of the screenwriters of the film and that he could get a message to him about how much I loved the movie. I went on to write an essay (really, it was an actual essay, not just a long e-mail) about why it was such a great film and how it would change romantic comedies for the better, and the screenwriter responded. It was such an awesome feeling to be able to tell him how much I loved his movie and to thank him for going through whatever it took to get it made. I haven’t had a whole lot of time to watch TV and movies lately, but the only movie I have watched twice all year is Honey Boy (2019) by Shia LaBeouf. That movie is incredibly well written (I have posted some of my thoughts about Honey Boy, This Is Us, and How to Get Away with Murder on my Instagram page). Honey Boy is an example of an actor making his own opportunities. My first question for Shia when I meet him will be: Did you just learn how to write a perfect script through osmosis (just being around the business since you were a kid) or did you actually take classes and study the craft—the movie really is that outstanding.

**What’s is been like working during COVID19?**

COVID-19 has been interesting. Right at the start of the pandemic, my sales agent reached out to me and told me that he had a deal on the table for N.O.S., but it was kind of up-in-the-air because everyone was trying to navigate the pandemic. Thankfully, the deal went through and N.O.S. aired on ShortsTV a few months later in June. The other thing was that I was hoping to start speaking at conferences and other events, and I was hoping to produce the feature I’m working on and the TV series, but because of the pandemic, there was a question of “How will we get back to productions and being on set” or “How will we be able to be in front of audiences with hundreds or thousands of people? That really took some navigating. I’ve pushed the feature and TV series back at least until 2022, but I’m intending to produce my next stage play in 2021, but because of the pandemic, we are planning to shoot the play on stage in a theatre, and then we will edit it and distribute it digitally.

**Here's her plug:**

<br>**[Website](http://bit.ly/2v1XbYl)**</br>
<br>**[The link to N.O.S. on Amazon](https://amzn.to/2LSfzc3)**</br>
<br>**[The link to “The Secret of Life Through Screenwriting](https://amzn.to/2E6Wr5r)**</br>
<br>**[The link to YouTube Channel](http://bit.ly/2BqGYf4)**</br>
<br>**[To Join E-mail List](https://bit.ly/3lrJtUf)**</br>
<br>**[Instagram](http://bit.ly/2PDiX9n)**</br>


Filmmaker Joy Cheriel Brown Sits Down with Casting Depot

CW - the network known to develop strong scripted series - is prepping a new spinoff from Greg Berlanti's DC Comics dramas, *Black Lightning*. 

The series, Pankiller, will star Jordan Calloway (*Riverdale*) in which he'll step into the role of Khalil Payne. The pilot will be a backdoor pilot in which it'll air as the seventh episode in the upcoming fourth season of Black Lightning.

Developed by Salim Akil, the DC Comic characters were created by Eddie Newell and Tony Isabella. Additional crew includes Berlanti Productions president Sarah Schechter, and in-house producers Mara Brock Akil, Oz Scott and Pascal Verschooris.

In the backdoor pilot, Khalil is filled with the guilt of his troubled past from his former life in Freeland City as a killing machine named Painkiller. While attempting to put the past behind him, Khalil moves to Akashic Valley in seek of peace and new beginnings. Or at least those are his intentions...

In development news, Painkiller is the latest spinoff announcement for the 2021-22 pilot season. Ambitious about their spinoffs, this will be the first attempt at a spinoff from Black Lightning. The team behind this series is also the team behind hit CW network series like Nany Drew. The news comes after the company says goodbye to flagship show Supernatural. 

TBD on background casting and supporting actor casting. Check back for updates!

CW is Working on a 'Black Lightning' Spinoff 

Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to debut his first scripted series on Netflix and we've got tons of questions. Since the deal is just coming together, we don't have much to report on other than that the project will star Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick) and Nick Santora (the series creator) will be the Executive Producer. Nick is also the EP & showrunner of Jack Reacher on Amazon.

Produced by Skydance TV - the hourlong series tells the story of the ultimate spy adventure journeyed by a father/daughter duo. The project was developed internally at the studio and was cast before landing the Netflix deal.

The series will be produced alongside Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Bill Bost. Veteran Carolyn Harris will oversee the project for the company.

This isn't the first show produced by Skydance in tandum with Netflix. The two have created long-running series like Altered Carbon and Grace and Frankie. 

TBD on additional casting by the studio.

Netflix Green-lights Arnold Schwarzenegger Spy Adventure Series

Now that you've posted a production and are receiving applicants, you're ready to start moving them along the casting process. While every casting has different needs and workflow, here are some cool things you can do to make the Casting Depot tools work for you:

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/dashboardv2.png">
<h3 class="text-center">Manage applicants.</h3>

<div class="px-2 sm:px-8">See who has applied to your production by clicking <b>Applied</b>. This is your admin view of people that want to be cast for your project.</div>
<br></br>
<div class="px-2 sm:px-8"> Here you'll be able to filter applicants, review questionnaire answers, message users, and move people along the casting process. </div>
<br></br>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/invitetalent.png">
<h3 class="text-center">Invite users to apply.</h3>

<div class="px-2 sm:px-8">Promote your casting by inviting users to apply. We've built special features that allow you to filter ideal applicants by attributes such as location, gender, eye color and more. 
</div>
<br></br>
<div class="px-2 sm:px-8"> Click <b>Invite to Production</b> and you'll be asked to confirm. If you'd like to personalize your message to users, write your message in the box before sending. Users will receive your message to their DM's. </div>

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/yesnomaybe.png">
<br></br>
<div class="px-2 sm:px-8"> Use the <b>Yes, Maybe, and No</b> buttons on the top to toggle between applicants you've already filtered through. </div>
<br></br>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
	
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/invitetoaudition.png">
<h3 class="text-center">Invite applicants to audition.</h3>

<div class="px-2 sm:px-8">There are four types of audition capabilities on Casting Depot: 

<b> 🏠 On Location </b>
<br>Send information to your aplicants for in-person auditions.</br>

<b> 🎥 Open Audition</b>
<br>Holding an audition open to the public? By inviting talent to an open audition, they'll get public information for that call while you maintain on-site control over audition scheduling.</br>

<b> 🎭 Remote Video</b>
<br>Use this feature as a replacement to your Skype or Zoom calls. Casting Depot will generate a unique and private audition room URL for each call you make.</br>
	
<b> 🎬 Self Submit</b>
<br>Talent is responsible for following the instructions provided in your role attachments and will self record and submit their audition tape.</div></br>
	
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/viewproduction.png">
<h3 class="text-center">Edit & view your production.</h3>

<div class="px-2 sm:px-8">To view a snapshot of your production, click <b>Production Details</b> on the top right corner of your screen. To Need to make edits? Click <b>Edit Production</b> underneath the the title of that listing under <b>My Productions.</b></div>
	</br>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
</br>
If you have questions about navigating the casting process or want to give feedback - we encourage you to reach out! <a href="https://www.castingdepot.com/support">You can contact us here.</a>

Creator Dashboard Features - Manage, Interview & Cast Applicants

The GOAT cast of **Jeopardy** is teaming up for their own spinoff - a new ABC quiz show called ***The Chase***. 

Originally a hit British show that's been on for years, ABC gave the greenlight to purchase the franchize and put their own twist on the format by bringing in the best competitors from Jeopardy. This upcoming season will star Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer. The season premier date has yet to be announced, however, we do know that the production just wrapped casting (which was listed on castingdepot.com).

Hosted by Sara Haines from **The View**, she'll share the stage with Holzhaauer, Jennings and Rutter as they take turns being the "Chaser". Each episode is set to kick off new contestants whom face-off against the Chaser in witty trivia questions spanning all different topics (166 per episode, actually). Cash prizes are awarded at the end of every episode.

ITV America's ITV Entertainment is the studio behind the new series with executive producers Adam Sher, Bernie Schaeffer and Vin Rubino.

In previous versions of The Chase (Fox previously shot, however Game Show Network eventually released it), there have been multiple seasons with Daytime Emmy nominations. We're hoping this U.S. spin is just as good!

Jeopardy GOATs Make Their Own Show

Antler US portfolio company Casting Depot, the professional network for media and entertainment, is emerging as the industry’s premier marketplace for all facets of the talent booking process. Co-founders Lacey Kaelani and Brad Larson have led Casting Depot through a 446% month over month increase in talent user growth. The Casting Depot team is working with Antler to drive user traction and refine their product offering as they field casting calls from industry players like Netflix, HBOMax, Twitch, Bumble, Verizon, and MTV. 

Lacey recognized the market opportunity for Casting Depot as she struggled to consistently source talent as a casting agent. “The major networks don’t recognize that their casting teams don’t have tools to do their jobs efficiently. Everyone from major networks to small content creators overspends on casting, which is the problem right there: how do we empower all creators with the right tools?”

Increased demand for original content exacerbates these inefficiencies in talent sourcing. It is anticipated that Netflix will spend more than $17 billion on original content in 2020 alone; the recently folded Quibi poured $1 billion into its original short-form content. Despite this growth, discovery in the entertainment industry is outdated: opportunities live across multiple offline and online platforms, recruiting and processing talent payroll remain painfully expensive, and standardized legal documents aren’t integrated with talent bookings. 

Casting Depot directly addresses this inefficient media-placement by offering a complete end-to-end workflow process solution for entertainment and uses social media as a talent discovery tool. Casting directors and companies now can process payroll and access legal documentation like NDAs, incentives, and talent agreements to support talent booking on Casting Depot. This functionality accommodates an increasingly wide variety of postings submitted to the platform that call for all types of positions, not just talent. “By dropping the gates, we make it easy for everyone to have access to the media,” says Lacey. “Casting Depot is the go to network for creators and talent to engage and source gigs across entertainment.”


Lacey and Brad, a technologist and serial entrepreneur with a successful exit under his belt, are working rapidly with Antler to develop the Casting Depot offering. “Antler has been a big backbone for us at Casting Depot as we go through our launch and iterate on our product,” Lacey explains. “The team is incredibly hands on. We feel lucky that they’ve helped us navigate our big shifts and been our hype team to provide confidence and foundational support as we quickly shift our strategy and operations to address market needs.”

Book your next casting on [Casting Depot](https://www.castingdepot.com). And, if you’re interested in building your next venture with Antler, [click here](https://www.antler.co).

Article posted by: [Antler](https://www.antler.co/news/startup-series-meet-casting-depot--medias-premier)

Startup Series: Casting Depot - media’s premier talent booking solution

**When did you know you wanted to start your own company?**

If you don’t know what casting is, chances are you don’t work in the entertainment industry. If that sounds like you, I can explain the field in the most simplistic terms – HR recruiting for on-camera placements. There’s a massive gap in the talent-booking industry and when we noticed that gap, we knew we had an opportunity to innovate.

**What was your original idea for this company, and are you still doing that (or did you pivot, if so, what is the new focus and why)?**

Like most start-ups, the plan is always changing until you find Product-Market Fit. The biggest change we saw very early on was an adaptation to our business model. We had a surplus of supply that called for every type of talent – from financial experts and single ladies to traditional actors and voiceover artists. Because of this, we discovered that our platform could be used for anyone and everyone who would want a relationship with the media, catering to every type of media outlet. So, we decided to make Casting Depot a completely free professional network and instead take a piece of the transaction.

**How long did it take you to finally take the leap, and what was it that pushed you over the fence?**

The decision happened about three months after launch. After a few discussions, listening to our user feedback and chatting with the VC community, we took the leap. In order to operate a startup, a team needs to be adaptable to change and have the ability to execute quickly.

**Who inspired you to pursue your dream, and why do you think they believed in you?**

My Co-Founder and CTO Brad Larson saw a massive vision for Casting Depot when he joined the team, which inspired me to pursue it. I always knew there was an opportunity to innovate in this space and knew that I had the skillset to be able to execute. Brad was one of the first people to believe in the dream. His passion for innovating within the gig economy and persistence for product excellence is a substantial contributing factor as to why I’m confident Casting Depot will be a success.

**Who is your favorite mentor and why?**

Our team is lucky enough to be surrounded by incredible advisors who share our vision. In particular, I have two mentors who help me push my personal and professional limits constantly in efforts to grow as a leader. Lastly, we’re an Antler portfolio company. They’ve been a great sounding board to-date.
What was the hardest thing about starting your company, and what did you do to make it through the first stage?
The hardest thing at first was finding a Product-Market Fit that satisfied the entire media and entertainment community. Questioning the status quo can be a difficult dream to sell, especially pre-launch. Pushing the limits for what Casting Depot could be in 10 years is something we’re constantly molding every day at work.

**What has been the hardest lesson to learn?**
The fundraising process was a difficult curveball for me, personally. I learned to think of a Series B even if you’re only raising a Pre-Seed. I noticed that in my initial investor meetings I continued to get questions revolving future rounds (primarily because the funds I was meeting with like to support their portfolio clients throughout the company lifecycle). As a first-time founder, I wish someone had prepared me for those types of questions. It’s never too early to think about the exit of your company, even if you don’t know what’s on the agenda for tomorrow.

**What has been the most amazing thing you have experience while running this company?**

The best day was launch day. We had worked extremely hard building and strategizing Casting Depot and to be able to finally press “live” was an experience I’ll never forget.

**What is the weirdest thing you have experienced while running this company, and how did you react to it?**

The weirdest thing I’ve experienced was the first company “plug” I did. To set the story, I live in Los Angeles (recently moved from NYC). One day, I was sitting in the clubhouse of my building where I was working, minding my own business. I overheard two guys behind me talking about their recent auditions and scheming of ways to get more auditions without an agent. I turned around and said “have you heard of Casting Depot?” It was a funny blip in time, but more bizarre to me that I had officially just done my first “plug” with no shame.

**What is the best decision you’ve ever made while running this company?**

Bringing on my Co-Founder and CTO Brad Larson, our designer Josh Rawlings, and advisor Jake Prudhomme. Saying “let’s do this” to this founding team was the best decision I’ve made.

**What is the biggest mistake you made while running this company, and why do you think it happened?**

Our biggest challenge has been incorporating user feedback quickly. While it wasn’t a mistake, it was a massive challenge. We’re a small team and creating a product that supports the entire media space is a big monster in itself. We’re lucky enough that our users are consistently giving feedback which allows to build a better product. Standby on V2 of our beta over the next two weeks.

**How has the coronavirus pandemic affected your company?**

Surprisingly not so much. Casting is a part of the pre-production process and the year works in cycles. Casting budgets were set pre-Covid, so we’re still seeing activity in our space. In fact, we’ve seen a growth in casting for Ad companies who have to use their products as a response to Covid-19.

**What keeps you passionate about your company?**

My team, my advisors and our users. Seeing people interact on the site means everything to me.

**What daily routine have you developed to help you take care of your mind, body, and soul?**

I have two self-care activities that I indulge in often in order to take care of my mental health. First – I play soccer two-three times a week and binge MLS/Premier games. It’s my healthy obsession. Second – I do small things every day that make me smile such as grabbing coffee at a local coffee shop, buying myself flowers or reading thought articles on Medium.

**What one thing would you like people to take away from this interview?**
A very close friend once told me, “make decisions fast, execute faster”. Being a founder is difficult. You’re constantly faced with making tough decisions that’ll ultimately better the health and success of the company you’ve built and you have to be willing to act on them.

Article posted by: [We Live To Build](https://www.welivetobuild.com/interview/lacey-kaelani-ceo-interview/) 


We Live to Build - Interview with Casting Depots CEO Lacey Kaelani 

Launching a new business is not easy, never mind bringing to market an entirely new product or service.

In this series of articles, we gathered 100+ successful female entrepreneurs to share their stories and tips on building a business from scratch.

**LACEY KAELANI**
Co-Founder - [Casting Depot](https://www.castingdepot.com/)

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1603368227-storiesfromfemalelaceyheadshoot.png)
*Lacey Kaelani*

**Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO FOUND CASTING DEPOT AND WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES YOU FACED?**

In 2019, [Casting Depot](https://www.castingdepot.com/) became a prominent casting company generating content for a handful of Fortune 500 companies such as Hearst Media, HGTV, Bustle Digital Group, MTV, and more. What became increasingly frustrating was the inefficiency within the talent-booking process. Why do companies spend millions of dollars on casting every year when they don't need to? And voilá - Casting Depot was born.

Today, Casting Depot is the professional network for media and entertainment. Our freelance management tools creates efficiency for creators and talent in gig booking, payroll processing and legal document management. Our business attacks a $28B SOM. We're a unique vertical in the professional networking model across tech today.

Our biggest challenge to-date has been handling the range of castings that have come on to our platform. It's something that we didn't anticipate would happen pre-launch. We see every type of connection happening on our site - from startups looking to connect with talk-show segments, single ladies wanting to be booked on dating shows, to traditional actors looking for their next role. This massive range quickly taught us that our platform has the potential to be home to anyone - and everyone - who would want a relationship with the media.

**Q: DID YOU START THE VENTURE ALONE?**

I'm lucky to work alongside my Co-Founder and CTO Brad Larson. His background in building gig marketplaces, excitement in finding PMF, and frankly his contagious ambition, made this platform possible.

**Q: WHAT'S YOUR BUSINESS MODEL, AND HOW HAVE YOU GROWN YOUR REVENUE?**

We're a free professional network. We take revenue out of processing transactions and upgraded recruiter packages. We've grown our MRR & projected ARR through on-boarding users in the masses in efforts to increase the number of bookings - and thus transactions - that happen on our site.


Interview from [Data Bird Business Journal](https://www.databirdjournal.com/posts/how-to-start-a-company-from-scratch-10)



100+ Stories from female founders, Featuring Lacey our CEO of Casting Depot

Well, friends, *You* on **Netflix** is making a comeback and we couldn't be more excited. This time, the Executive Producers Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti are adding to the cast lineup with some great names.

Travis Van Winkle (The Last Ship) and Shalita Grant (NCIS: New Orleans) are set to star alongside hearthrob Penn Badgley and actress Victoria Pedretti this upcoming season.

For those who aren't familiar (and if not - we recommend you take the weekend to binge watch) - *You* follows Penn Badgley's character as he flees from NYC to Los Angeles after murdering the love of his life. When he arrives in LA, he falls in love again with a character who - turns out - to be just as passionate about life as he is. Throughout the second season, the two fall so deeply in love with one another that they're willing to do anything - including murder for each other.

In this upcoming third season, Van Winkle is set to play a supplement company owner in which he invites Joe (Badgley) into his Los Angeles friend circle. Grant is set to play a woman that becomes frenemies with Love (Pedretti) in which true genuine friendship may bloom.


"You" is Back for a Third Season and the Casting Was Just Announced

The best part about October are the Halloween movies, *without a doubt*. These halloween classics are the ones we grew up with that we rewatch every year. I'm not one for scary movies, but to get into the *spooky october mood* I like to cuddle up with a bowl of candy. Here's our definitive list of movies we love during this time of year:

<b> Hocus Pocus (1993) </b>
<iframe width="862" height="485" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F4e6YQFrt1s" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
There's a reason this beloved film tops our list: this whimsical Disney classic makes chatty black cats and goofy witches the epitome of Halloween fun.

<b> Halloween (1978) </b>
<iframe width="862" height="485" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T5ke9IPTIJQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Given that this iconic film features the love-to-hate slasher villain Michael Myers shares a name with the year's spookiest holiday, it's just about as classic as they come.

<b> Halloweentown (1998) </b>
<iframe width="862" height="485" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F4GV_xnN2rU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
If your kids wish that Halloween could be every night of the year, you’re in luck: in the magical land of Halloweentown, that’s basically how it goes.

<b> The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)</b>
<iframe width="862" height="489" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wr6N_hZyBCk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
It's up for debate whether this classic falls into the Halloween or Christmas category. Either way, Tim Burton's imaginary world is sheer delight.

<b> The Addams Family (1991)</b>
<iframe width="862" height="485" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G388UMkJIBE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You might know the frightening faces of this wacky family — and probably the rhythm to their catchy theme song — but when's the last time you sang along? This kid-friendly classic is an easy choice for a spooky — but not nightmare-inducing — Halloween movie night.

<b> Carrie (1976) </b>
<iframe width="862" height="485" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YuO26oJQLVs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
In this high school-turned-horror story, a young misfit (aptly named Carrie) shows her school bullies the terrible power that she possesses. Let's just say, the bullying doesn't continue much longer.

<b> Coraline (2009) </b>
<iframe width="862" height="466" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m9bOpeuvNwY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Follow young explorer Coraline through a door into an alternate dimension, she meets characters who seem much like those in her real life ... but maybe a little off. Even though it's made for children, Coraline's creepy button eyes will make even adults a lil' unsettled.

<b> Ghostbusters (1984) </b>
<iframe width="862" height="485" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6hDkhw5Wkas" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Before your group dresses up in their best ghost-busting ensembles, take some inspiration from the comedy ensemble that started it all.

<b> Practical Magic (1998) </b>
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Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as sibling witches?? Sign us up. This delightful cult-classic rom-com is a perfect pick for anyone who wants a slightly more low-key Halloween.

<b> The Craft (1996) </b>
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Four high schoolers discover witchcraft—what could possibly go wrong? The campy thriller explores the spiraling effects of the supernatural while in high school.


10 Best Classic Halloween Movies For October

Blumhouse just cast Elisabeth Moss in their next TV project “***She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality***.” The project was optioned from the original book in August and is set to be produced by Michael Seitzman (Maniac Productions), and by Moss and her production company Love & Squalor Pictures.

Elisabeth is best known for her role on Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale.

In the original book, Katie Hill recounts her life in politics as she goes on to work her first job in Washington. 

Elizabeth Moss says “I am so honored to have the opportunity to portray Katie and to help tell her story. Her strength and work to amplify women’s voices is incredibly inspiring to me and her experiences could not be more important for us to magnify right now. As always, Jason and the Blumhouse team are such incredible partners and Lindsey and I are thrilled to make something powerful with them and Michael.”

Katie Hill is onboard for the casting. “I wrote ‘She Will Rise; to try to take back my story from those who have exploited and twisted it. I also wanted to shine a light on the stories of women whose resilience and bravery gave me strength when I needed it most, and hopefully to provide inspiration to others. Having this larger platform to tell this story, working with the talented team at Blumhouse and Michael, and the incredible Elisabeth Moss as the lead, is more than I ever could have imagined — I am so grateful for the opportunity and look forward to collaborating on this project.” 

Jason Blum, Head of Blumhouse, says, “We pursued this project because we believe in Katie and her message of empowering women and breaking the system. And with Elisabeth and the force of what she brings on and off the camera, we hope this will be a powerful vehicle to inspire and for change."

We're excited for - *yet another* - exciting project brought by the Blumhouse team. And as always, their casting is excellent!

Blumhouse TV Casts Elisabeth Moss to Play Former Congresswoman Katie Hill 

Casting Depot is a one of a kind market place for creators and talents. It is an exclusive community that allows creators and talents to engage and source gigs. The platform aims to connect talents with casting directors, giving them the experience they deserve out of a casting platform. Casting Depot offers an end-to-end solution for all forms of casting. Venture Mirror in a little chit chat with the two founders, Lacey Kaelani and Jenna Kammo, learns more about the venture and the story behind it!

**What is the startup/product about? Give us a brief description of it.**

**Jenna:** Casting Depot is a professional network for creators to source and engage with every type of talent. A female-owned and operated company based in NYC, Casting Depot is the only professional network to be a complete end-to-end workflow process for creators to complete their projects on time and on budget. We are also the only network to be production and talent agnostic in the entertainment industry.

**How many co-founders are there? Please introduce them and their backgrounds.**

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1598811122-lacey-jennacastingdepot.jpg)
##### Jenna and Lacey

**Lacey Kaelani – Co-Founder**

**Jenna Kammo – Co-Founder**

**Brad Larson – Co-Founder, CTO**

**Lacey:** Lacey: In 2018, we had both been at a point in our careers where we were tired of working for other people. I absolutely hated developing concepts that I wasn’t passionate about, nor made a positive impact on the people that viewed them. Jenna, on the other hand, hated casting for other people and the inefficiencies within the casting process. We were on set one day and had the typical startup conversation of “I think we can do this better and for ourselves”. We ended up leaving our full-time jobs and voilá! Casting Depot was born.

**How big is the entire team currently?**

**Jenna:** The tech team is the pulse of our business, led by our CTO Brad Larson who is supported by the ever-talented designer Josh Rawlings and coder-extraordinaire Austin Quinn. We’re a small but mighty team!

**How did you come up with the idea? What motivated you to do this?**

**Lacey:** Over the course of 2019, Jenna and I cast for Fortune500 companies such as Hearst Media, Bustle Digital Group, HGTV, MTV, and more.

At the end of 2019, we decided to pivot our business. We were consistently frustrated with the casting workflow process and needed a more efficient way of booking talent for our gigs. So – we decided to turn our casting company into what it is now – an online marketplace for creators (like ourselves) and talent to engage and source gigs. We have an incredible team now, including our CTO Brad Larson.

**What are the marketing plans apart from the product hunt/beta list launch? How are you planning to acquire new users?**

**Jenna:** As Lacey and I have bootstrapped the platform with funds from our unscripted casting & development company. We’ve had to be tactful in how we budget for acquiring users! We’re planning some exciting & strategic brand-partnerships, exclusive castings and encompassing the payroll process.

**What is your target market? Why do you think your product will appeal to?**

**Lacey:** When we went to create Casting Depot, we were eager to construct a foundation to support not only the professionals that cast, but also the talent that so desperately needed a reliable marketplace to book every type of gig. It’s such a massive, decentralized market ($5BN) that we knew we had to build something that would also give users the ability to create their own communities within our own. We dreamt of conversation bubbles in every type of casting — Broadway actors, aspiring TV personalities, experts that wanted to be on CNBC, etc. That was our first priority. So — we ultimately ended up building that infrastructure so our industry could choose how they’d want to cast and create.

As casting directors, Jenna and I knew we needed to incorporate a space for casting professionals to complete their entire workflow process from end-to-end. Lastly, we’re talent agnostic meaning that unscripted, scripted, theater, voice, modeling and commercial casting calls live on our platform. 

**Do you have a separate dedicated team to take care of marketing (digital marketing/traditional marketing)? Which digital platforms are you focusing more on?**

**Jenna:** We’ve been fortunate enough to have grown our business thus far without paying for any marketing or advertisements. It’s been Lacey, myself… and a lot of elbow grease!

**What according to you is the biggest challenge that you faced? Is it product development or marketing or scaling or … ?**

**Lacey:** Our biggest challenge has been incorporating user feedback quickly. We’re lucky enough that our users are consistently giving feedback which allows to build a better product. However, we’re a small team wearing many hats! Standby on V2 of beta over the next two weeks.

**Who are your competitors/alternatives? What sets you apart from them?**

**Jenna:** We’re a disruptor in the pre-production space. The reason we set out to build this platform is because of the inefficiencies within the casting space. We’re constantly challenging ourselves to create the best experience for our talent users and improving the workflow for our creators.

**What are the future plans with the product/startup? Any new features you are planning on?**

**Lacey:** We’re planning on encompassing the entire HR/payroll system, alongside our booking abilities, which has yet to exist in our industry. Aside being able to book talent for castings, casting directors will also be able to pay talent, but also be able to send standardized legal documents to talent to sign before shoot day. Lastly, we’re building out an awesome functionality that’ll allow casting professionals to book their next freelance gig with a production gig or network.

The On-Camera Talent Network

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