Abir Hashem is a 21-year-old Canadian visual artist from a small city called Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. He initially was brought into the music industry at the bold age of 18 in the middle of his senior year of high school… funny enough through an Instagram DM from Drake’s Tour Manager to go on a nationwide tour with G-Eazy’s opening act. After some deliberation, he instead got flown into Toronto, Canada to film two nights at a venue called ‘The Shrine’ for G-Eazy’s “Beautiful & Damned: North American Tour.”

From that crazy opportunity, he was able to turn that into working as a tastemaker for artists through different avenues such as videography, photography, editing, animating, and being a stage & graphic designer. These skill sets have allowed him to work with different artists of different backgrounds such as Anthony Russo, G-Eazy, Marshmello, inverness, Jack Harlow, jackson lee morgan, Carly Rose, Dounia, Leven Kali and etc. With his age & experience, he still has a lot to learn and curate his taste but I’m confident enough to say that it is just the beginning of his flourishing career.
 

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

Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on?
 
I’ve worked on plenty of music videos, visualizers, cover arts and documentary series for artists such as Anthony Russo, Christian French, jackson lee morgan, inverness, Carly Rose and etc. I was also able to animate cover arts and social assets such as trailers for G-Eazy’s single/album release campaigns. In 2021 I was able to design an one-hours’ worth of stage visuals for a virtual live concert for Christian French under Moment House. 
 
 
What are you working on right now? Anything cool?
 
I’m just wrapping up some final touches for Anthony Russo’s new EP called ‘BLUE’. The project has eight songs that is attached with either a visualizer or a music video. This is all set to come out in Spring of 2021. But I actually have a cover art and music video coming out on February 18th, 2021 with jackson lee morgan called ‘wayside’! It will be one of the most vibrant things I’ve made so far in my career!
 
 
What’s your favorite TV show of 2021?
 
My favorite show of 2021 is ‘Community.’ If ‘The Office’ didn’t exist most people would be more swayed to watch it. The directing, the writing, the cast and how it’s able to balance comedic and emotional beats is done terrifically well. Also, Donald Glover is in it and I love everything he does creatively! I can’t not recommend it enough! Go watch it!
 
 
What’s one thing you do often that inspires you to continue to create?
 
Inspiration comes to me in many different ways. I consumer other creatives’ work on a daily basis whether that’d be music videos, visualizers, recaps, movies and etc. which often links me to tie their visual components to an artist’s demo. More often than not, I plug my headphones in, go for a walk and let my mind run free with imagination. This could result in a simple idea for a shot or a complex storyline music video. Sometimes inspiration just hits you out of nowhere. But those two really help me get the creative juices flowing. 
 
 
What advice do you have for others looking to break into the industry?
 
My advice would be to keep being persistent no matter how hard it gets. So many people just want to see the short-term result and when they don’t receive it… they quit. This industry is made up of a lot of creatives who are hungry, want to succeed and end up rewarding whoever puts in the most effort. 
 
 
What’s one insider tip to success you’d give for others in 2021?
 
Try to diversify your portfolio and learn new tricks & different outlets of art. The more you open yourself up to learn and try new things, the more opportunities open up. Try not to be so comfortable. Comfortability is a career killer! 
Your website and link to online video, if any.
 
 
[Website](https://hashbrowncreates.wixsite.com/abirhashem)
 
[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/abir.mov/?hl=en)

Abir Hashem Chats Music Videos, Sisualizers, and Creating Documentary Series 

Judd Apatow, film director and comedian best known for 40-Year-Old Virgin (Knocked Up, Funny People, This Is 40, and Trainwreck) has made the leap to Netflix with his production company - Apatow Productions. His next comedy, The Bubble, has just announced the cast selection of Karen Gillian, Iris Apatow, Maria Bakalova, David Duchovny, Peter Serafinowicz, Keegan-Michael Key, Leslie Mann, Fred Armisen, and Pedro Pascal. Phew!!

The Bubble is about a group of actors and actresses, during the pandemic, stuck inside a hotel attempting to complete their film. Sounds familiar - doesn't it? 

Alongside Pam Brady, the paid will produce and co-write the film. Barry Mendel and Donald Sabourin are on board to executive produce. Shooting is expected to start sometime in Q1 of this year.

This announcement comes on top of the year as the streamers battle it out for best produced original-content. Netflix has historically done a fantastic job of producing hillarious original comedies with strong cast memebers. We're betting this new film will be just as strong as the last. 

New Netflix Comedy ‘The Bubble’ Casts All-Stars

Rio Rocket is a multi-hyphenate film, television, and voice actor who has a recurring role on the ABC TV Series, *For Life* and motivational spokesperson for Lowe's Companies. He's been featured in publications such as SUCCESS, AUTHORITY, BillionSuccess and Ariana Huffington’s Thrive Global Magazine. 

He sat down with us to share his story along with tips and tricks into breaking into the industry as an actor. 
 
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png"/> 
 
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/riorocket.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>

Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on? 
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I was fortunate to work on the ABC TV Series, For Life last year and now we're in our second season. The series is inspired by the life of Isaac Wright Jr., who was wrongfully sentenced to life in prison. He studied to become a lawyer while serving and overturned his sentence. For the past three years, I have worked with Lowe's Companies as their motivational spokesperson which has been an absolute dream. I travel down to their headquarters in Mooresville and Charlotte, NC approximately three times per year for various productions. I've also been fortunate enough to work on other exciting projects such as Alter Boy: The Series, a full advertising campaign for Jack Black Skincare and VOG (Voice of God) for John Jay College's annual Commencement Ceremony at Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of ten thousand people for three consecutive years.
 
What are you working on right now? Anything cool? 
I'm currently working on my new podcast Design Your Decade: Journey to the C-Suite. An interactive professional development podcast that puts comedy and career growth in a blender and serves you a simple yet superb smoothie that's guaranteed to not cause brain-freeze. I host the show with co-host Rosann Santos and it's accessible on every major podcasting app and platform. It's been a blast to educate and entertain with this new platform while delivering my knowledge through audio performance.
 
What advice do you have for others looking to break into the industry? 
If you're looking to break into acting successfully begin by finding a mentor and a private coach. This is what I did initially. It's good to get a one-on-one assessment of what raw materials you have to work with. A mentor or coach will also be able to offer you guidance as to which career path may offer you the least resistance. Afterward take a class, study improvisation, workshop, rehearse, audition and repeat. Also get a professional headshot taken and build your online and social presence.

What’s one insider tip to success you’d give for others in 2021? 
Take massive action in developing the skills you need in your profession. Right now we are at odds, not just with others in our field, but also with robotics and artificial intelligence. There are applications that can create entire music albums such as *I AM AI* by Taryn Southern. There are now technologies that can create artificially intelligent virtual actors as seen in *Gemini Man* with Will Smith. You're competing against that now. Your skills have to be so well-developed and honed to compete at a higher level these days. You have to be so unique that you are undeniable. You have to be so good in your auditions and performances that the casting director or audience wants to leave the room with you.

What’s your favorite TV show of 2020? 
Right now it's a toss-up between *Umbrella Academy* and *The Queen's Gambit*. I go crazy for the superhero genre and *Umbrella Academy* is just pure, brilliant fun and imagination let loose onto film. *The Queen's Gambit* appeals to my sensibilities of talent and genius put to action. Anya Taylor-Joy's character is incredibly deep and compelling.

Give us your plug! How can we follow you? 

<a href="https://www.DesignYourDecade.io">Design Your Decade: Podcast</a> 
<a href="https://RioRocket.com">Rio Rocket: Website</a> 
<a href="https://vimeo.com/riorocket">Rio Rocket: Vimeo Channel</a>

ABC Actor Rio Rocket Chat Industry Tips and Success

Alvin Cowan has worked with the biggest names including Clint Eastwood, James Caan, Bradley Cooper and Bruce Willis. Since his breakout acting career post college, he landed a recurring role in ABC’s “Back In The Game.” which lead to apperances in HBO’s critically-acclaimed series, “Westworld,” and had a recurring role in Season 3 of Emmy-nominated “This Is Us”. Cool, right? If that wasn't enough, he also works as a producer in which he currently has a development project in the works with Zero Point Zero, Basil Iwanyk, Eric Tannenbaum, and Monami Entertainment. 

He sat down with us to share his story along with tips and tricks into making it in the industry. 
 
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png"/> 
 
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/alancowan.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>

Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on? 
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I’m most proud of the specific acting jobs I’ve been involved in. I just had the opportunity to work on some REALLY cool shows/movies with some REALLY cool people. There’s a reason that This Is Us, Westworld, Eastwood – why all those people are successful. They treat people well – no matter how big or small a role they have.
 
What are you working on right now? Anything cool? 
We just released a very cool true crime podcast through Imperative Entertainment entitled “American Coyote.” It’s the story of Elden Kidd, a Morman man from Riverside who started running people across the border in the early 1990’s. It’s a wild ride and I’m proud of how it turned out. I am developing another podcast series with Cavalry Media and will be pitching a feature to studios and a couple TV shows sometime in the coming months.
 
What advice do you have for others looking to break into the industry? 
Man. Tough question. There’s so much. I wrote an article one time (reposted recently <a href="https://https://thriveglobal.com/stories/10-tips-to-survive-as-a-creative-professional-in-entertainment-and-not-go-crazy-in-the-process/?utm_source=Newsletter_Transaction&utm_medium=Thrive&utm_campaign=Published">here)</a> that was “10 Tips to Survive As A Creative Professional In Entertainment… And Not Go Crazy In the Process.” I think that advice stands up, even though I wrote it a number of years ago. It’s probably the best answers I can give.

That said, if I’ve learned anything since I wrote that, it’s that you have to give yourself your own “yes.” I don’t know that that’s sage advice or wisdom that you can’t hear from any coach/guru out there, but it’s been immeasurably true for me. When I finally decided that I had something to say with my art – and that it was worth saying – and maybe, just maybe, someone else might like/need/want to hear it… that was a game changer for me.

Also, there’s no rules.

What’s one insider tip to success you’d give for others in 2021? 
I personally think the industry is regionalizing. My opinion is that Netflix and the rest of the streamers are moving the business away from a traditional LA/NYC model and going to be sourcing MOST jobs (save the top 1-5 on the call sheet) from regional actors, crew, etc. To me, there’s opportunity there. I can’t tell you the number of actors I’ve watched land small rolls as local hires, only to recur, then become guest stars. Next thing you know, they book a pilot – and have a career. You don’t need to be in LA or NY anymore. Build from a region – either through bookings or making your own material – and have LA or NY come to you.

What’s your favorite TV show of 2020? 
I binged three seasons of Yellowstone right at the start of the pandemic. I love Taylor Sheridan and don’t know why I had not watched it before. It’s certainly on brand for me. I also really enjoyed ZeroZeroZero on Amazon, the most recent season of Ozark… I was on the Tiger King train… Cheer… there’s so much good stuff!

Give us your plug! How can we follow you? 

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aecowan10">Instagram</a> 
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/aecowan10">TikTok</a>

Q&A with HBO & ABC Actor Alvin Cowan 

So you're looking to get started working in voiceover? If you have an outgoing voice and like to express yourself through narration, voiceovers, or character voices in films, commercials, corporate videos, educational and training materials, podcasts, audiobooks, video games and other projects that need a voice — then this business is definitely for you.

It's also an incredible time to start looking into a voiceover career. While the pandemic has put a ton of people out of business, the world is shifting towards remote learning, working, and building. Therefore, this is increasing the need for online video and content that calls for more voiceover artists than ever before.

As you can imagine, voice acting is a rewarding, exciting career. At Casting Depot, we have tons of voiceover talent coming through our site daily booking gigs and growing their careers. Here are a few things to help you get started:

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-left">1. Get setup with audio gear 🎙</h3>
If you're confident that you want to pursue a career in voiceover work, or even as a side hustle, it's smart to invest in audio gear. However, dependent on the type of voiceover actor you want to be, you may require more gear. It depends. If you want mic suggestions, join a Casting Depot community and ask fellow users. They'll point you in the right direction for what they recommend. 

A few things to consider when purchasing a microphone:
* Buy what you can afford.
* Purchase something that you can return, just incase. It's helpful if you can test out the mic in the space that you plan to be recording.
* Don't purchase something handheld. 

Here are a few great mics we'd suggest:
* [Blue Mic: The Yeti Nano](https://www.bluemic.com/en-us/products/yeti-nano/)
* [Kaotica Eyeball](https://www.kaoticaeyeball.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAgJWABhArEiwAmNVTBxtg9ZKYWse1aR-OK07BXx2o7edqW2ugsRO61EYdXa6eUH1C4GnZSRoC3X8QAvD_BwE)
* [Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone](https://www.adorama.com/atat2020k1.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase)

While you may be inclined to use your Airpods, we'd suggest against that! You want to make sure that your producing the best audio possible, and that you're comfotable while recording. So, here are a few headphones we'd suggest:
* [Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Closed-Back Studio and Live Monitoring Headphones](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HD280Pro--sennheiser-hd-280-pro-closed-back-studio-and-live-monitoring-headphones?mrkgadid=3301332377&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gpla&mrkgbflag=0&mrkgcat=studio&recording&&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700046938536344&lid=92700046938536344&ds_s_kwgid=58700005285190875&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=385451424629&product_id=HD280Pro&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&locationid=9030954&creative=280136034160&targetid=aud-994727058445:pla-385451424629&campaignid=1465808290&gclid=CjwKCAiAgJWABhArEiwAmNVTB2GoYfBcNbW3hllvajEF-a5xVFfu5bL39r5Ce5KDFTV7CTAHuk1D2hoCpjwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
* [Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm](https://www.newegg.com/beyerdynamic-dt-770-pro-grey/p/0TF-00D2-00002?item=0TF-00D2-00002&nm_mc=knc-googleadwords&cm_mmc=knc-googleadwords-_-headphones%20and%20accessories-_-beyerdynamic-_-0TF00D200002&source=region#)
* [AKG K 182 Over-Ear Headphones](https://www.akg.com/Headphones/Professional%20Headphones/3103H00030.html?ged=off)

<h3 class="text-left">2. Find a quiet place in your home to be a studio 🏡</h3>
There are many variables that go into creating a voiceover home studio. However, you don't need a fancy-built studio to submit auditions. You can do this on a budget, at home. The space can be a closet, garage, spare room, basement, or attic – as long as it's soundproof and quiet. 

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/voiceover.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>

To soundproof your home studio, here are a few things to consider:
* Noise can be a big problem in the home studio. As with any production area, you’ll want to make sure your space is well soundproofed or insulated from noise coming in or out. The main culprits of unwanted noise are air conditioning units, fans and people – especially kids and pets.
* A few blankets hung up can help absorb reverb and unwanted noise coming from breathing and other close-miking techniques.

<h3 class="text-left">3. Find an audio editing software that works for you 🗣</h3>
Most sites will suggest using the fancy editing softwares like ProTools. While you can use products like those, it's possible that you want something extremely easy to use while you're still testing out the waters. Here are a few programs we love:

* [TwistedWave](https://twistedwave.com/online)
* [Adobe Audition](https://www.adobe.com/products/audition.html)

<h3 class="text-left">4. Record practice demos 🚀</h3>
Now that you've got the space and the audio equipment, it's time to record demo examples for your voiceover profile. If you have a range of types of projects you'd want to audition for, it's important to get that type of content up on your Casting Depot profile as a starting point. For example, if you can speak in different languages, accents, or tones, make sure that you have a demo for each! Here are some tips on making great demos:

* Make a demo for each voice/accent/character you plan to audition for.
* Keep your slate quick (full name and anything else that's important to you).
* Make sure the volume isn't obnoxiously loud or quiet.
* Pick the right script for you. 

<h3 class="text-left">5. Start marketing yourself 💡</h3>
Use your Casting Depot profile to build your online presence as a voiceover actor. We built talent profiles to be completely customizable, allowing every user to have their own unique experience in our community. If you're a voiceover actor, you'll most likely want to focus on building out and utilizing the following sections in your profile:

* Age, location
* Personal description
* Audio uploads
* Job history (use this section as your online resume)

Some tips and tricks for building a rockstar voiceover profile that helps you stand out from the rest of the community:

* Avoid celebrity comparisons. 
It's easy to make comparisons between yourself and your favorite celebrity. However, when casting directors are searching talent, they love to see more of what you bring to the talent (and comparing yourself to a celebrity might typecast you into a hole). Describe your sound, instead. Using words such as "warm, authentic, young, firm" and so on will give the casting director better insight into what your voice sounds like.

* Ask Casting Directors for the projects you've worked on. 
Don't be shy to ask for the final work! If they're allowed to, the Casting Directors are usually more than happy to send you the final cut so that you can add it to your virtual portfolio.

* Find an engineer to work with. 
Search post-production audio engineers to help you edit and promote your audio submissions. Think of them as a business partner! It could take a lot of busy work off of your plate if you're booking a significant amount of voiceover work and don't have time to make edits to submissions. If you want to go down this route, ask the Casting Depot community for engineer recommendations.

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

& there you have it! A few quick tips and tricks to getting started as a voiceover artist. If you're ready to start using your voice to build a career, [sign up for Casting Depot here.](https://www.castingdepot.com)

Voiceover Actors: How to Get Started

Dan Cashman is the host, creator, and an Executive Producer of “The Nite Show with Danny Cashman.” The show is a Maine-based late night talk show that is in its 11th consecutive season, and currently airs in all three of Maine’s TV markets including CBS.
 
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png"/> 
 

Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on? 
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I would say The Nite Show is the biggest thing. I put a lot of time and effort into it for a lot of reasons. It’s not easy to produce a show like this in a small market, and thankfully there are a lot of people who help make it successful. Our house band is a six-piece jazz group and they are incredible. We have an announcer/co-host who has talent that is simply off the charts and she is an amazing personality, which absolutely shines on television. Our writers go above and beyond for the monologue in every show, and we have a few people who work behind the scenes to coordinate everything from audience seating (when we’re allowed to have an audience) to desk props. We also work with the New England School of Communications at Husson University in Bangor, and the students, faculty, and staff make the show look and sound amazing. The people involved in that program are second-to-none and so many students have gone on to do great things in the past ten years, and for good reason. It’s heartwarming to see them succeed in school and after graduation.

Beyond this show, my credits are relatively minor. I spent 4 years as the program director and on-air host at a CHR radio station in Bangor. I also owned a radio show for a short time more recently. I worked on a national documentary as a production assistant in the late 90s and was at MSNBC before that as an intern. I have written some material here and there for national productions in an uncredited role, sometimes just passing a joke along, and other times in a more unofficially official capacity. 
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/dancashman.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
My idol David Letterman famously said that he’s always either doing a show or thinking of doing a show. And even though our show is only on once a week, and it’s only seen in one state, I find myself in a similar boat. Any time I have an idea come to mind that I think is funny or creative, my first instinct is to figure out how it might fit into The Nite Show. And that’s really one of the joys of doing this kind of a show is that virtually any idea is at least possible. That allows for so much creative flexibility, as long as it makes sense for the audience and the budget.
 
What are you working on right now? Anything cool? 
I’ll refer back to my quote from David Letterman. We just finished our 550th episode of The Nite Show, so we are gearing up for the second half of season 11. We have a fun parody in the works of a game show, adapted for the pandemic we’re all currently facing, and we will surprise our viewers by using the actual host of the show we are parodying in the sketch. He’s never been on the show before, so that’s fun. And we have some guests we’re prepping to see in person once we’re allowed to do so while also reaching out to guests who might join us virtually in the meantime. 

One thing the pandemic has made me do is realize how fortunate we are to do this show, but also to realize that there is more potential. So we are developing some new ideas to pitch both locally and beyond. I wouldn’t say that the pandemic has freed up any time for us, but it’s certainly made us think a little differently. From that perspective, we’re working hard to bring new ideas to the forefront and see where they go. 

So, my answer right now is “yes.” Yes I’m working on something cool...but maybe in a year I can explain what that is.
 
What advice do you have for others looking to break into the industry? 
Start wherever you need to start, and build from there. I’m not in Hollywood, New York, or Chicago. I’m not an A-lister, even in Maine. But I’m doing what I love. To get to this point, I started by paying for airtime on a very tiny WB station in Bangor. We built an audience by working our tails off and being creative. Today, we’re still working our tails off, but we’re statewide in Maine, we’re getting guests we never thought we’d have on our show from all walks of life, and we’re doing really well in the ratings. 

I also had to figure out where I wanted to be. I knew early on that I wanted to host a show like this, but I also knew that it didn’t matter if it was a national show. I realized during college that I love my home state of Maine and just wanted to stay here. A show like this hadn’t existed at that point, and local television in general had really scaled back since the 80s. So we just created what we wanted to do. 23 years later, it’s working out pretty well. Bangor has embraced the idea -- we were honored with the Bangor Chambers first ever Arts & Culture Award last year -- and the entire state tunes us in.

What’s one insider tip to success you’d give for others in 2021? 
I’m taking three tracks on this one. The first two are quotes, and then my own advice. 

David Letterman (again): “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” 
Johnny Carson: “If you don’t like what you’re doing, don’t do it.”
Me: Be kind, be flexible, and be yourself.

What’s your favorite TV show of 2020? 
Oy. I like SO much TV right now. If I really had to pick one, it would be Schitt’s Creek. 

If you let me pick two, I think Jimmy Kimmel Live has done some amazing things this year.

Give us your plug! How can we follow you? 

<a href="www.TheNiteShowMaine.com">My website.</a>

Late Night Show Host Dan Cashman About Working in Talk

Everyone loves a good biopic movie. Need a list of solid recommendations instead of endlessly flipping through Netflix or Hulu? Well... you're in luck. We compiled a list of our favorite biopic movies to watch this month meant to help inspire you for the 2021 year.

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
<center> The Social Network (Netflix) </center>
For anyone who loves Jesse Eisenberg as a braniac, The Social Network is the perfect movie. The story follows the beginning stages of Facebook and the lawsuits that came along with it.
<iframe width="873" height="491" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lB95KLmpLR4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
<center> Safety (Disney+) </center>
We'd describe this as the 2020 version of The Blind Side and Remember the Titans. This one is a tear-jerker. 
<iframe width="873" height="491" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0j8O2swT5o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
<center> Jobs (Amazon Prime) </center>
The story about Apple's Steve Jobs and his relationship with being a CEO, father and innovator in the early 90's and 2000's.
<iframe width="873" height="491" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FrvkCS0ZGPU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
<center> The Founder (Netflix) </center>
Have you ever wondered how McDonald's invented the famous Golden Arch? The Founder follows an ambitious franchisee that takes a failed, small business and leads it to become a real estate company. Yes, you read that right.
<iframe width="873" height="491" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AX2uz2XYkbo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
<center> A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Hulu) </center>
Creepy, sweet, and heartwarming. The movie follows investigative journalist Lloyd Vogel who receives an assignment to profile Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers.
<iframe width="873" height="491" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-VLEPhfEN2M" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" a lign="center"/>
 
<center> Bohemian Rhapsody (Hulu) </center>
A movie about Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, as he become a generational icon defying stereotypes along the way.
<iframe width="783" height="440" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mP0VHJYFOAU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" a lign="center"/>
 
<center> American Sniper (iTunes Store/Amazon Prime) </center>
Bradley Cooper plays U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle who becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history.
<iframe width="903" height="508" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/99k3u9ay1gs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<center> Rocketman (Hulu) </center>
Elton John in the 70's as he begins his journey to becoming one of the most iconic figures in pop history.
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S3vO8E2e6G0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" a lign="center"/>
 
<center> The Wizard of Lies (HBOMax) </center>
For every MBA student looking to learn about ponzi schemes. Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer. So. Good.
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jo_CYCumZgI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" a lign="center"/>
 
<center> Straight Out of Compton (Hulu) </center>
In 1988, the groundbreaking N.W.A revolutionizes music and hip-hop culture. The movie follows their first studio album, "Straight Outta Compton".
<iframe width="903" height="508" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oyoew4T74_w" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" a lign="center"/>
 
If we missed any that you'd recommend, tweet us! Find us on Twitter [here](https://www.twitter.com/castingdepot).

The Best Biopic Movies To Watch This Month

You have a great idea and you’re ready to pursue it. Now what? 

Many aspiring creatives are in a financially tight position and have questions about what steps to take to make their project come to life. If you don’t have millions of dollars laying around to fund your project, where does that leave you? In limbo, yes, until you can find someone else who believes in your project as much as you do. 

Here are a few tips we have for our fellow creators who could use some guidance in building the next big box-office hit:

<ul class="indent-list">
	<li>Friends and family round.
There may not be an individual friend who has the cash to fund an entire film project on their own, but cash collectively from a handful of friends could be enough to fund everything. Once you have your pitch perfected and a sample deck to show, begin to ask around for financing. You’d be surprised by the amount of people who will feed off of your passion and invest. 

Crowdfund.
A lot of indie producers use crowdfunding platforms to create their projects. The trick to becoming successful on sites like these is being as descriptive as possible with your project. You’ll need to show that it’s much more than a ‘big idea’. Before pursuing this process, be constructive of your work. Ask yourself questions like - What makes it different? What does someone receive from investing in the film? 

Partner with a production company.
If it’s your first project, it’s OK to not take on the entire production by yourself. Take it as a learning opportunity and hand it off to a production company that can make it come to life. Because, at the end of the day, the goal should be to bring your work to the big screen. This way when you go to make your second film project, you’ll know the ropes AND have the funds. It’s a win-win. Production companies are always looking for creative individuals to partner with. While there is not a definitive list of who those production companies are, all it takes is a simple online search. Shop around, see what companies match your vision, and pitch until someone says ‘yes’.

Hire friends and give them equity.
You may have friends that are looking for experience and credits to add to their resume. It could be advantageous to use your project as a growth opportunity for your friends who are also aspiring creatives. Be open minded to collaborating with others who want the chance to flex their skills for the first time. You could still create an incredible project, but for a fraction of the cost. 
</li>
</ul>

Rejection can be hard. We know. However raising funds for a project is a great learning experience. It’ll help you learn how to pitch effectively, where to pitch and how to deal with someone saying, ‘no’.

How to Find Funding for Film Projects

Chase Tang is new to the entertainment scene but already a familiar face. He sat down to chat with us to talk about industry lessons and his favorite movies.

What’s your full name and occupation?
 Chase Tang, actor and mental health advocate.
 

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/chasetang1.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>Tell us about you and your career.
I’m currently living in Toronto and often traveling between Los Angeles and Taiwan. I was born and raised in Taiwan and I’m the youngest of 3 boys in my family, with 2 older brothers. In my youth I was an excellent hockey player and was certain I was destined to play in the NHL. After high school I left Nova Scotia and moved to Ontario and enrolled in post-secondary education at the University of Guelph which I obtained a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Prior to pursuing a career in the entertainment field as an actor I was working in the corporate world. 
 

In May 2016 I took my first ever acting class without a theater background or anything I had to learn everything from the ground up. I struggled for close to 2 years before getting an agent to sign me to their roster. Since 2019 my career has been progressed exponentially, the momentum from being a Netflix actor allowed me to be have other opportunities and open new doors.
 

Tell us about your credits.
My two major TV credits are Slasher and Jupiter’s Legacy, both Netflix Productions. Prior to 2018 I had done a string of short films and had gotten a lot of credits and roles in smaller productions.
 

Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?
Near the end of 2015 I was very unhappy with both my personal and professional life. I was doing okay financially but I felt every day that went by my mental state was getting even worse. I’ve always had a huge interest in film and television so in the Spring of 2016 I left the corporate world for good and took my first ever acting class. I guess for me, it was the moment I realized that I wanted to make decisions not based on what others thought of me but what I wanted to do with my own life. I significantly changed the way I spent money, my time and how I was going to live my life.
 

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/chasetang3.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>What advice do you have for people looking to break into the industry? 
The opinions of one person no matter how powerful or experienced they are does not define your career. Do your own research and due diligence on everything. What one acting teacher says is terrible, another may say it’s great work. The industry is subjective and very different from person to person. When I first started, I was trying to do everything the “right” way and then I realized I was actually being misled. I was going in circles and wasting not only time but also lots of money. You need to believe in yourself, because a lot of people won’t, especially before you’ve reached any kind of success. When I was first starting out, I’d DM other actors and producers to meet for a coffee because I wanted to learn about them. A large majority of them would turn me down. Now, the very same people who rejected me are reaching out to me. I’ll never forget the genuine people who gave me the time of day before I booked anything major! 
 

Be ready to create your own opportunities! Being an actor means you’ll often meets lots of people at every event you go to. If you’re somebody who feels like you have a lot to offer the world than what is currently being given to you, do something about it! Don’t wait around for others to hand it to you. Don’t take anything personal. Nothing in this business is ever about you, really. If you don’t get cast, it might be because they were looking for someone with a particular voice, height, skin tone, all of which is out of your control.
 

What are your favorite shows/film?
 

Suits, Barbarian, Selling Sunset & Waco.
 


How can we follow your journey?
 Google “Chase Tang,” I’m sure you’ll find something.

Actor Chase Tang Shares Industry Advice

SAG-AFTRA, or The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, is a union that supports film and television actors, radio personalities, voice actors, journalists, recording artists, singers, and other media professionals. 

Once you become eligible to join, you may apply to be part of the union. In order to join, an initiation fee of $3,000 is charged. Along with that, you are charged semi annual dues. Once you become a member, the union is meant to serve you, the actor. Their responsibility is to assist with your retirement fund, negotiate an appropriate salary, and ensure that you have health benefits. 

 So, when is the right time to join SAG-AFTRA? 
<ul class="indent-list">
	<li>
When you become part of the union, you can no longer work for non-union authorized productions. As a result, you will be competing in a job market against other highly skilled actors. 

Before you decide to join, it is important to reassess your acting abilities and your marketability. Make sure that your acting skills are high enough to get casted over other talented actors. If needed, hone in on your craft some more before applying. In addition to this, make sure there is an opening for you in the acting world. What do you offer to it? Do you have a specific brand, and is there room for you in the union job market where you live? Once you decide that you are a perfect fit, make sure that you have the appropriate marketing tools for yourself. 
<ul class="indent-list">
	<li>
Everyone has a different opinion about joining SAG-AFTRA:
<ul class="indent-list">
	<li>
“My opinion on when to join SAG-AFTRA is unpopular, but I stand by it, as I've coached many actors over the years. If your dream is to be a working SAG actor on network and studio projects, and you have a few non-union projects on your resume, then you should join the union as soon as you have the opportunity.” - The Hollywood Success Coach 

“If an actor doesn’t have an agent and is looking for work on their own, than the chances are they will only be able to get themselves auditions for non union work. If an actor/actress has a SAG agent and is being sent out on auditions for SAG productions then they should join SAG. It’s a very exciting opportunity and stepping stone when an actor/actress is eligible to join SAG.” - Goldberg, Scudieri & Lindenberg, P.C. 
<ul class="indent-list">
	<li>
It is ultimately your decision on when and if to join SAG-AFTRA, but considering this article will help you make your choice. 
		
Looking to connect with SAG-AFTRA gigs? Head to www.castingdepot.com/login to get started.

When Should I Join SAG-AFTRA?

Welcome to the monthly list of TV & movie recs, suggested by the Casting Depot team 👋🏻 As you'll see in the list below, we have a range in taste as to what genres and storylines we love. So, I'm sure you'll find something here that peaks your interest. 

Here's what we're streaming in January:
 

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 Lacey's List, Co-Founder @ Casting Depot
 

1. The Morning Show (Apple+)
 Jennifer Aniston + Reese Witherspoon + Steve Carrell. The ultimate cast to tell the story of a corrupt media empire and the power of the #MeToo movement. 
<iframe width="669" height="376" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZPYUpfIoM9w" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
2. On the Basis of Sex (Netflix)
 I was (two years) late to the party on watching this, but regardless I'm glad I found it. This RBG biography was both feel-good and empowering.
<iframe width="669" height="376" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/28dHbIR_NB4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
3. The Lie (Amazon Prime)
 I'm a huge Blumhouse fan. It's not a suprise to me that they could take such a simple storyline and make it both entertaining and creepy at the same time.
<iframe width="669" height="376" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i84yWy-Mnts" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
4. Butterfly Kisses (Amazon Prime)
 Probably the best "found-footage" "documentary" since The Blair Witch 2. 
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wBK1zH6XvRc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
<h3 class="text-center">& here's what the Casting Depot team is watching:</h3>
 
 Soul (Disney+)
 - Jocelyn, Product Intern @ Casting Depot
<iframe width="850" height="357" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xOsLIiBStEs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
 The Crown (Netflix) - Pick #1
 - David, MBA Biz Dev @ Casting Depot
<iframe width="660" height="371" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JWtnJjn6ng0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Youtube Movies) - Pick #2
<iframe width="660" height="371" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AGI4RwY-frc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
 Dead to Me (Netflix)
 - Theo, Junior Engineer @ Casting Depot
<iframe width="660" height="371" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BwYBw1raC2o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
 The Queens Gambit (Netflix)
 - Ty, Engineer @ Casting Depot
<iframe width="896" height="504" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CDrieqwSdgI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
 The Ballad of Buster (Netflix)
 - Josh, Head of Design @ Casting Depot 
<iframe width="660" height="371" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_2PyxzSH1HM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
 The Mandalorian - Season 2 (Disney+) - Pick #1
 - Jake, Advisor @ Casting Depot
<iframe width="884" height="497" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eW7Twd85m2g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
 Kobra Kai - Season 3 (Netflix) - Pick #2
<iframe width="940" height="529" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LcDQqGJG8pA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
 Preacher (AMC+)
 - Justin, Engineer @ Casting Depot
<iframe width="884" height="497" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kCt0DiTDX8g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
 Crazy Delicious (Netflix)
 - Brad, Chief Technology Officer @ Casting Depot 
<iframe width="774" height="435" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oAFgrAe5Gbo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
And that's our list for this month. If you have shows that you're binging that we should watch, tweet us! Find us on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/castingdepot">Twitter.</a>

What We're Watching in January

Susan Johnston is the founder and director of the New Media Film Festival® and an award-winning Casting Director. With years of experience and credits under her belt, she sat down with us to share some insider tips into the casting industry. Here's what we learned:

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/Susan+Johnston.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
Tell us about you and your career. When & how did you get started? 
 I happened to drive across country to start a career in Los Angeles in 2000, when I arrived, there was a Screen Actors Guild strike, so, I could not work as a union actress. I reached out to friends back East and asked them if they would introduce me to anyone they knew that lived in LA as I was not busy doing auditions, call backs etc.

One dear friend, introduced me to Renita Whitehead, she happened to be a casting director and was originally from back East, so, we had fun, great conversations. When I left our lunch I said to her, whatever you need, anytime, let me know - I'm free because of the strike. At midnight she called me and asked if I could be on set the next morning to help her check in talent on a music video. That led to many casting gigs with her that I am truly grateful for.

 

Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on? 
 Casting credits include everything from being a rescue casting director to principal casting on feature length commercial films. (get a call at midnight to book speaking talent for the next morning). Talent do back out at the last minute and directors add roles. Sometimes we have been able to bump background to under five, that has been rewarding.

 

Are you working on anything cool right now? 
 I've recently cast gamers and influencers for a live show, commercials for one of my favorite directors, talent for a reality show and packaging a feature length film based on a best selling book.

 

How do you feel about the casting process? Easy, hard? 
 Union and non-union castings can be quite different. Although we abide by union "rules" for casting, what each project needs can be different. In today's climate, a self tape is usually requested. Or, in the case of reality shows, to videotape them from a video zoom type audition.

 

How did you first navigate it? 
 I learned by doing, I had great mentors.
 

What advice do you have for people about to go on their first audition? 
 This is a great question. I'll give some of the basics.
<div>
1 - Always be courteous.

2 - Focus on your role and not the other people in the waiting room. No conversations with anyone even registration.

3 - Trust the process.

4 - Listen.

5 - If any adjustment is given, do it. Most of the time it means they like you and want to see if you can take direction.

6 - Hold the moment after your scene is finished. Yes, say "scene" and then break character.

7 - As you leave, say "thanks for this opportunity".

8 - ALWAYS look like your headshot.
</div>


What’s the best/worst part about the casting process?
 Best part - finding the absolutely perfect person that IS the role being cast.

Worst - those that do not understand this is a business and although your acting is the show part, the business part means to be professional at all times.
</r>
 

What’s your favorite TV show of 2020? 
 The Crown.
 

How can we follow your work?
 www.susanjohnstoncasting.com

Founder Of The New Media Film Festival, Susan Johnston, Chats Casting

Valonda Calloway has a list of incredible credits. From being a TV host for Fox 50 and hosting the North Carolina Lottery, she also just released a book. Titled, "Tips From The TV Lady: A Guide For Making A Great Impression On Camera And In Person", Valonda shares what she’s learned over her 20 plus years in front of the camera as a news anchor, reporter, host, and spokesperson. Her book provides practical tips for improving how you look and communicate, whether it’s in front of a web camera or in person. She sat down with us to discuss tips & tricks.

In the wake of COVID, interviews are all remote. What advice do you have for people about to go on their first audition or about to be interviewed on camera?
<ul class="indent-list">
	 1.Make eye contact. Be sure to look into the webcam, not the computer screen or a separate monitor you may have connected to your computer. 

[](https://)2.Light yourself properly. Two lights on each side of you, about a foot above your head, is ideal. A ring light with a direct path to your face also works well. 

3.Everyone should wear makeup, including men. Appearing on camera without makeup can cause distractions. Audiences will notice, and may be distracted by, dark circles under the eyes, a shiny forehead, or redness in the cheeks.</li>
</ul> 
 

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/valondacalloway3.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on?
<ul class="indent-list">
	 1. Beginning November 28th through Christmas I will play Val The Elf on the Santa Stream app.

2.A holiday commercial I shot for Harris Teeter grocery store is airing on TV now. 

3.I’m on TV in commercials now as the spokesperson for University Ford in Durham, NC

4.I acted in a commercial for Aflac insurance over the summer that I shot at my home with the director directing me via Google Meet. 

5.I am the host of Inside Look on Fox 50 in Raleigh, NC which features local businesses. </li>
</ul> 
Are you working on anything cool right now?
 I am promoting my new book Tips From The TV Lady, A Guide For Making A Great Impression On Camera and In Person.

How do you feel about the casting process? Easy, hard? How did you first navigate it? 
 It’s hard. I haven’t been acting very long, only since 2016. I have a lot of experience as a television spokesperson, host and news anchor. I have navigated the transition to acting by leaning into the traits from my television experience that are relevant to acting. These include knowing how to come across as genuine and knowing how to use my facial expressions, vocal tone and body movements to connect with an audience. I’m also a teleprompter reading machine!
 
What’s your favorite TV show of 2020?
 Black-ish (and The Neighborhood)

How can we find you online?
 [Website](https://www.ValondaCalloway.com)
 [IBM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkMuTOAXqPE&feature=emb_logo)
 [Aflac commercial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYgnyASQhNs&feature=emb_logo)
 [University Ford commercial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuhQ62nOvn0&feature=emb_logo)
 [Fox 50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoBfZ_Fx7Ms)

TV Host & Author Valonda Calloway Talks Interview Tips

Eric Schumacher is a critically acclaimed, multi award-winning film, TV and multimedia actor, director and producer. Currently he serves as the president of Seelie Studios, a ground-breaking and award-winning multimedia production company. He sat down with us to chat about his career and casting advice.

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/ericschumacher.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
Tell us about you and your career. When & how did you get started?
 
My parents are magnificently talented actors and began exposing me to their art of choice pretty much out of the womb. I loved it and begged them to teach me more. I’ve been blessed to have been mentored or taught by some other brilliant and highly skilled pros, some fairly well-known and some not. As a an unabashed nerd, I attended a sci fi convention in my teenage years and was inspired by a lecture given by Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek the Original Series) about the influence that Star Trek had socially, and realized that if I learned about the entire production mechanism I might be do good things through filmmaking. I studied film production. I also studied marketing (which is important for an entertainer) while continuing to work and hone my skills as an actor. Eventually, I began crewing in a few different positions, then writing, producing and directing. I also devoted a good deal of time to the study of a very deeply philosophical approach to martial arts and was likewise mentored by some truly amazing people though that study. The self-knowledge and physical skills gained through martial arts study has helped me to be better at everything I do. I kept performing, and making media and kept meeting people, working with them and finding common ground. I guess you could call it networking. I think of it as finding my tribe. I moved to Arizona related to my martial arts studies and formed a couple of companies for specific projects like the streaming series, Zhon: The Alien Interviews. In Arizona, among many other great collaborators, I met Don Dehm, founder of Seelie Studios, when I did a voice over piece for the company. We hit it off and became great friends. When he was battling cancer years later, I had already become a partner in the company, and he asked me to take the mantle.
 

Tell us about your credits. What have you worked on?
 I guess you can say that my career has been unusual. I’ve worked in most genres and mediums from live theater to film to voice over, television, radio, internal marketing videos, streaming series, music videos audio dramas and print ads as an actor and/or as a producer or director. I even managed a band for three years. I’m truly grateful for every opportunity and they’ve all been pretty diverse. Some favorite projects that have released include: the early web sitcom Crewing Up, in which I played self-centered Newsman Frank Mann; the sci fi streaming comedy series Zhon: the Alien Interviews which I co-produced and co-starred in; the Revenge of Zoe feature nerd culture comedy film series, which I’ve played a principal role in three of so far, the time slot winning Legends and Lies for Fox TV, in which I played Wyatt Earp, and the newly released mocumentary feature film Tombstone Rashomon in which I played Doc Holliday. Tombstone Rashomon was directed by the legendary (and terrific), Alex Cox (best known for films like Repo Man, Sid and Nancy, Walker, etc.). Another recent release was the short film Bequest by Ric Mel Films which won a ton of awards. I really enjoyed doing guest spots on the branded puppet series The Bob and Angus Show which was produced by Seelie Studios from long before I joined the company for the then large game company Mayfair Games. That series was produced and directed by Don Dehm. I played a Rod Serling like character in three twilight zone spoof episodes on that show.
 

Are you working on anything cool right now?
 I can’t say anything publicly about more than half of the projects we’re working on yet but I’m working on a ton of cool things right now, mostly on the producing and directing side. Due to the pandemic we’re not on sets right now. I can say that we’re in production on several fantastic audio drama projects, in post-production on several streaming projects, in the build phase for an entertainment website and the film bearing the actual name the Revenge of Zoe is releasing in January (#2 in the series I’ve performed in). The Revenge of Zoe includes a bunch of terrific cameos from comic book and sci fi/fantasy creators. We don’t have exact release dates quite yet. We are in negotiations on some other, very exciting projects and in development on others with trusted producing partners in several states in the US and in several different countries. The super funny western streaming sit com Horse Camp, by Patrick Ball Media is in progress. I played the main villain for season one of that series so far. Also, the new film in The Revenge of Zoe film series called The Love Song of William H. Shaw is about 80% shot and on hold due to the pandemic. Reconfiguring what we can do because of the pandemic has been extremely challenging and has caused a lot of delays on things but we’re getting a lot of projects moving.
 

How do you feel about the casting process? Easy, hard? How did you first navigate it?
 
I’ve gone through the casting process frequently as an actor and I’ve run lots of castings from the production end also. There are things I love about it but its often a stressful, tedious process for everyone with occasional moments of elation. For the actor its usually nerve-wracking and often really depressing and for the casting team it requires an unbelievable amount of work and focus. Before remote auditions were a thing, actors had to travel all over the place, skipping out on income generating day jobs or missing other important things to spend potentially hours in traffic to have a 5 minute audition and do that over and over again for each role. You’re always in search mode since the jobs tend to be transitory. You may be on asset and have a deadline to submit a self-tape or can’t get to a live audition. The typical casting to audition ratio is very low, even for those who work pretty regularly. For casting folks, you receive piles of marketing materials and have to sit in a room seeing lots and lots of auditions with the same material. It’s quite a process. Of course, I’ve also met some close friends and colleagues by auditioning for them, gotten some fantastic roles and on the casting side met some wonderful actors who I’ve worked with over and over. Some people who’ve auditioned for me have also become good friends. You’d think the remote audition process would be more pleasant but I have to say as an actor often the requirements put on you for remote auditions just add more stress and decrease the odds of a strong audition. A lot of auditions are well configured and some are not. As an actor you just have to roll with it. I do much prefer the remote audition process when we’re in casting phase, however. We run things in a pretty user-friendly way for the performer and performers usually enjoy the process also.

I have loads of stories from both sides of the table and the screen.

To answer your other question about how I first navigated it is a challenge. I was a kid after all. I guess the easiest answer is that I listened very carefully to the instructions given me, asked my parents who, were pro actors what to expect, prepared fanatically and did my best. Learning how to handle the process emotionally as a kid is quite a thing, but at least you’re use to it by the time you’re performing as an adult.
 

What advice do you have for people about to go on their first audition?
 
Learn as much as you can about the casting process and prepare as much as you’re able to before auditioning. Follow directions carefully and make sure you’ve done whatever you can to provide your support materials (headshot, resume, reel etc.) in a way that paints you in a flattering light but is 100% truthful and makes things easier on the casting folks who have an amazing amount of work. Emotionally, rather than looking at an audition as a job interview for a specific role that you either gain or lose, try to think of it as an opportunity to meet new potential colleagues, demonstrate your skills and unique traits, and an opportunity to perform even for a few minutes and practice working with feedback. Regardless of whether you get the part, you’ll learn a lot about acting through that experiment and you’ll start to learn about the audition process. If it’s a remote audition it’s also practice in performing for a camera. If you do get the part, it's icing. Remember, the people reviewing your audition are artists like you are and they generally want you to succeed. They are just looking for the person who seems right for a specific role considering all the other factors they have to weigh and balance. Always be professional friendly, and grateful for the opportunity. Remember, not everyone is even asked to audition.
 

What’s the best/worst part about the casting process?
 On the acting side, I think the worst part is how much of a grind it can be. When production is up to full speed, you can audition for a lot of roles without landing a single one. It can be really disheartening. Even those who work frequently can have period where you audition and don’t land anything. It’s scary. The best part, however, let’s face it, it’s giving an audition that you know felt fantastic, and you know everyone loved and then getting offered the role. Bonus points if you meet some of your tribe during the audition like I have so many times.

For casting people, the best part is finding that gem, that perfect fit for the role, championing them and being able to offer them the role. The best casting people get pretty emotionally involved in the process and they are very, very good at what they do. While I am part of the casting team for our projects and sometimes run castings, and I sometimes run them for others, professional casting directors, the folks who do that all the time and have made that their career, are usually pretty amazing people who often really care and feel for each actor even if they have to maintain objectivity. I have offered roles to actors and had them burst into tears of joy. That’s an awesome feeling. They get to do that all the time.
 

What’s your favorite TV show of 2020?
 To be quite honest I’m far too busy to watch television right now. A good friend of mine bought me a subscription to a streaming service for my birthday, specifically so I would watch a television show made in Canada nearly 20 years ago and take an occasional break. The show is called Slings and Arrows and it’s about a Canadian theater company that exclusively does Shakespeare. It’s freaking brilliant and right up my alley. Aside from that, anything on television is background filler for me at the moment. I make media and I’m working with remote teams to get things done during a pandemic. I don’t have a lot of time for breaks and I’m not following anything new right now, unless I’m in it or produced it. 
 

Can we follow you online?
 [Seeliestudios.com](https://www.Seeliestudios.com)
 [Ericschumacherfilm.com](https://www.Ericschumacherfilm.com)
 [My showreel](https://youtu.be/KkP9UehRZWo)

Award-Winning Producer Eric Schumacher Chats Running A Production Company

If you’ve clicked on this article, chances are you’re thinking about pitching an idea to a production company or a network. But where do you start? And when is your concept ready?

I’ve pitched a significant amount of unscripted shows over the course of my career, some of which miserably failed and others that landed contracts with production companies. I'm often asked about how the process works so I thought putting what I’ve learned could help others. There's not an exact "how-to" guide on these things, but there's a general process in which it happens.

Please note that this article primarily refers to scripted and unscripted TV show pitching, therefore adjust to your vertical accordingly.

So, let’s get started:

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">1. Write your idea down 💫</h3>
Similar to a mood board, put all of your ideas into a document. Clearly think out the storyline, the characters, the plot, the episodes and the tone of the show. Take your time and poke holes at your work. If you’re stuck, [I wrote this article](https://www.castingdepot.com/blog/posts/creative-writing-tips) on how to get over mental blocks. Starting is the hardest part, so don't be discouraged if this step takes a while.

Once you've gotten your ideas organized, begin to mold your pitch deck. What is a pitch deck, you ask? This is a PDF document that outlines your story, the characters, and episode proposals in a visual way. This is the product you'll share with networks and production companies.

<h3 class="text-center">2. Validate your idea 🚀</h3>
Scrub the internet to see what's been created before in an adjacent space. What networks have aired similar shows, how long did those series run for, and why did they end? These are important questions to discover before bringing your project to pitch. If you say to yourself, “this hasn’t been done before”, then you most likely haven’t done enough research. At the end of your research, you should be able to say, “this has been done before like x, but this is how it’s different.” Sometimes it's not about creating an entirely new idea, but building upon an existing one. And that's ok.

<h3 class="text-center">3. Attach talent 🎬</h3>
Whatever type of project your pitching - unscripted, scripted, etc. - it's always a good idea to attach talent to it. How do you do that? Post a casting call on our site, invite applicants to apply, and find a cast that can adequately tell your story. In unscripted television, this process is called a "proof of concept". 

Once you've selected a draft of your cast, bake those characters into your pitch deck and go on to write why they're the best fit for your project. Often times your cast sells your project better than the concept itself.

<h3 class="text-center">4. Create a concept sizzle 🎥</h3>
Put together a short trailer video (3-10 minutes) that outlines a high-level look into your project. Make sure that the sizzle answers three very important questions:

* What are we watching? 
* What's the structure of each show? 
* Why is this important?

Chances are you're not a TV editor. That's totally fine - most people aren't. Freelance editors usually can do the job, so look online to see who is available for work. You can also post in Casting Depot groups to see if anyone has referrals.

<h3 class="text-center">5. Get ready to pitch ✅</h3>
Pitching shows is a tough business to be in, especially if you’re an independent creator. Brace yourself for opinions. Content is subjective and everyone will have their own take on your work. If you're receiving the same feedback over and over, look at your deck and readjust. Pitching shows is a very humbling experience and all you need is for one person to believe in your concept. Don't be discouraged if you hear 9 'no's'. You'll hear a 'yes' eventually. 

So where do you pitch, exactly? If you're an independent creator, you're most likely doing the process solo. Often times major production companies don't accept unsolicited submissions from unknown sources. Sometimes they do. If they do, there'll be a section on their "contact us" page that allows you to upload your pitch deck. My best suggestion is to scan the internet of the production companies that:

* Purchase shows similar to yours. 
* Accept outside submissions.
* Have the submission process clearly outlined on their website.

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

And there you have it. Five steps to creating a TV show to pitch. While there are tons of nuances within the process, and it's unfair for me to generalize the craft, I do believe that the above outlines a very high-level overview into the workflow process. 

Did you pitch your project after reading this article? I'd love to hear your experience! Tweet us [here](https://www.twitter.com/castingdepot).

When Am I Ready to Pitch My TV show?

Katherine Norland has been a working actress in Hollywood for more than 20 years. She's had more than 800 auditions, been cast to act in more than 150 projects from plays to commercials, industrials, film and tv. Her most recent project as a producer and actress in the feature film Cannibal Corpse Killers was released in 2020 and can be found on Amazon Prime, VUDU, Googleplay, Youtube, Xbox, Sony playstation, Fandango now, redbox on demand, select Walmart stores and others. She sat down with us to share her story:

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/katherine+norland.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
What’s your full name and occupation?
My name is Katherine Norland. 

I have so many things that occupy my time and thought life. I’ve more than one occupation. Most importantly I am a wife and a mom of two boys (a special-needs 12-year-old and a 2-year-old). I am a daughter, a friend, a mentor, a coach, an encourager. 

On a daily basis, I am occupied with the art of self-improvement, learning, researching and experimenting. I’m occupied with ways to better myself as a human being and in turn find ways to be a blessing to others. Whether I’m taking classes in communication, budgeting, Scripture analysis, film directing or wrestling, I’m trying to get to the heart of who I am and what would be the most noble and notable pursuit to be occupied with.

I also happen to act, produce films and online courses, write books (3 poetry books, and a memoir and self-help book are in the works), and I aspire to direct movies.

Tell us about you and your career. 
I started pursuing an acting career in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1998. I soon realized that I needed to move to Los Angeles to really get some traction. In March of 2000, I loaded up my Chevy and drove to California in my Minnesota coveralls, face full of acne, and pockets filled chocolate…dreams of doing something more impactful than working in a factory on an assembly line. 

Six Hours after I drove into town, I had my first audition, and have had close to 800 auditions since then. I always prided myself on being ready for opportunity to strike, yet I was not always poised for the disappointment that would oftentimes follow this uncertain pursuit. 

I learned from my jobs as a regular person in a small town that showing up on time, having a good attitude, and being a hard worker would get you ahead. I learned from my jobs as an aspiring actress in a big city that looking hot, having a huge following, and being open to the casting couch would get you ahead. (Which is most likely why you’ve never heard of me).

Like most aspiring actors, I started doing extra work, earning my Screen Actors Guild vouchers fairly quickly. And got in every student film and little indie film that would have me. I worked for seven years, mostly for the price of craft service, which consisted of warm, plastic-tasting bottled water, stale pretzels, and occasionally a slice of Little Ceasar’s pizza. Sometimes I’d hit up to six auditions a day to build my resume and obtain footage for my demo reel. Which seemed as hard to obtain as a parking spot in L.A. 

I had side-hustles to make money like doing make-up on set, flipping signs on the street, and valet parking cars for an all-female agency called “Valet Girls.” After about 10 years of living hand to mouth (only 3% of actors actually make a living at their craft) and being tired of the roles I was being offered, I wanted to do something more. I not only wanted to show more range as an actress, but be more creative. So, I started to write and produce my own short films. That ended up being much more creatively fulfilling, as I could determine what types of characters I would play, not only what I was typecast to play by others. 

The entertainment industry often feels like a perpetual theme park. It’s got bright lights, fun rides, and the camaraderie of thousands of people all there for the same purpose. And from the way it’s advertised, everyone wants to go there. But you have to stand in line for hours waiting for your turn to get on a for a five-minute ride, which doesn’t always seem worth it. And sometimes you get sick of cotton candy promises and hot dog deals that leave you indigestion, and you want something more fulfilling like a homecooked meal from someone who will look you in the eye with nothing to hide. Many times I’ve wondered, was my dad right? Should I have stayed in my little town at my stable jobs, and not quit Bible college to take this leap of faith?

But 20 years later, through all the ups and downs of this roller-coaster ride, I still feel like standing in line was worth it. Because the thrill each time you get back on the ride and strap yourself in… it’s a different experience, with new people in the cars, new electricity and excitement and the prospect that something special is going to happen this time. If you do that, it doesn’t get stale; you can reinvent yourself for each and every ride. 

If you don’t treat it that way and you get on the next project or ride with resignation that you’ve done this before and “I’m just going to dial it in”… to raise your hands and scream at the right parts, then you’re not newly experiencing it, you’re only reliving what you’ve done before. If that’s the case, just pay for the photo they took of you at the entrance when you were full of hope, and go home.

I attempt to keep things fresh, as if it’s the first time, with each project I take on. I ask myself before each project, what have I learned that I can use to make this project better? Who am I today that’s different from yesterday? And how can I use the sum total of my experiences to bring life to this project and yet still live in the skin of this character as if it’s the first time?

Though I don’t know what my future in the entertainment industry looks like, I know if I treat each day, each project and each person as a gift…there will always be a place for me and my future will unfold just the way it is supposed to, and I remain confident in the mystery of it all. 

 

Tell us about your credits.
 I’ve acted in, produced and directed more than 150 projects in the last 20 years. Below is a partial list of a few of my favorites:

2020 			Published “Poetic Prescriptions for Pesky Problems” (2nd Edition)
2018 – 2020 		Series regular on the Dhar Mann TV mini-series
2019 			Co-produced and Starred in “Magic Hour” (now on Amazon Prime)
2019 			Published “Poetic Prescriptions for Plaguing Problems”
2018 			Produced my second son Elijah 2.5 months early weighing in at 3 lbs 6 oz
2017 			Published “Poetic Prescriptions for Eternal Youth”
2017 			Guest Starred on 2 episodes of the BET show “Beauty and the Baller”
2016-2017 	Executive Produced, Produced and Starred in “Cannibal Corpse Killers” released in 2020 on Amazon Prime, VUDU, Googleplay, Youtube, Xbox, Sony playstation, Fandango now, redbox on demand, select Walmart stores and others. 
2016 			Guest Starred on an episode of “Snapped”
2014-2016 	Various roles in front and behind the camera including “Sex Sent me to the ER” where I played a doctor 
2013 	Co-produced “What Remains” Which won audience choice award at the 168 Hour Film Festival
2011-2012 	Had a national commercial running with my actual son Timothy
2010 			Starred in “Reality Terror Night” with Martin Kove
2009 	Supporting role in “The Pendant” directed by Nick Carter of the Back Street Boys and Starred in the music video “Memory Lane” for the Grammy nominated artist Stephen Petree
2007-2009 	Produced my first son Timothy 4 months early at 1.5 pounds and spent the next 3 years going to doctors/specialists/therapists up to 10 times a week and finding out about all of his special needs due to his premature birth.
2007 			Supporting role in “Chicago Massacre: Richard Speck” with Corin Nemec
2006 			Starred in “On the Fringe” and was nominated for Best Actress
2005 		Co-starred in “Malcolm in the Middle” Mrs. Tri-County episode
2000-2005 		Dozens of others acting credits you’d be bored to tears with if listed.

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/katherinenorlandv2.png" align="left" width="400" height="80"/>
Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?
 I had to choose myself when no one else would choose me. 

Actors and many other players in the entertainment industry are often at the mercy of someone they need to say yes to them. It is easy to develop a complex or think there is something wrong with you when you hear no after no after no. When cold and calloused casting directors, producers and directors in the Entertainment Industry, who for the sake of giving honest feedback, let me know all the reasons they didn’t think I was right for the part outwardly. Here are a few, and by no means an exhaustive list of why I lost roles: Your voice is too young Your teeth are crooked You’re too pale. You’re too fat. Your face looks 20 but your neck looks 30. You look like a Barnum and Bailey circus freak with your two different colored eyes. You’re too pretty to be that fat. A director hit me in the stomach and said, “You better lose this or you’re not going to fit the costume. Another grabbed my bingo wings and exclaimed with great indignation, “What is this? What is this?” A third placed his hands on my shoulder after an audition and said “Jeeze, you’re like a linebacker.” One fired me from hosting a TV show because I was too fat. This happened, coincidently, after he took me and the other co-host out to breakfast where I ordered a full bacon, egg, hash brown, toast, and orange juice meal while my skinny and perfect co-host ordered only a grapefruit and coffee. Hey, I’m going to take advantage when I’m getting a FREE breakfast!

I started to get a complex about how I looked, and thought I didn’t have what it took to make it in this industry. My journey from self-loathing to self-love is chronicled both in the book “Poetic Prescriptions for Eternal Youth” (link to the free book download below), as well as my online course “You Are Worthy” which launches January 1st, 2021. 

When I would start to get discouraged, my girlfriend Jenna used to always remind me that it only takes seven to ten years to become an overnight success. Twenty years later, overnight success still seems as possible to grasp as the fog over the Santa Monica sunrise. 

Yet I press on. 

My roles have changed, my looks have changed, my job titles have changed. But what hasn’t changed is the love I have for storytelling, and the hopes I have to make a difference in this world through those stories. Others may tell their stories better, others may have bigger budgets or movie star casts, but they can’t tell my stories the way I’d tell them. 

I’ve learned that maybe I am a circus freak, maybe I am an oddball, but that’s okay. My uniqueness is not a stumbling block, it’s become a stepping stone, and I am loving the climb. 

What advice do you have for people looking to break into the industry?
 
Lying on the cold pavement at 3:00 in the morning, covered in sticky Karo syrup blood, playing a dead body in January is not glamourous… but then again, neither is a mundane mediocre life where you’re playing it safe in the cocoon of your comfort zone. 

Sometimes you have to burn your boats or sell your Chevy and not look back. 

My advice would be:
•	Go for what you want. 
•	If people aren’t offering you the roles or opportunities you desire, make your own. 
•	Network. Build a team of creatives that want to come out and play. 
•	Make your own projects. 
•	Cast yourself in a way no one else would. 
•	Don’t wait for someone else to greenlight you; greenlight yourself. 
•	Believe in yourself. No one else might, but if you do, others are a lot more likely to. 
•	Don’t let perceived flaws hold you back. This industry is filled with flawed oddballs, and there’s a place for each of us.
•	Ditch the idea of competition and realize, no one can take what is meant for you.
•	Don’t be all talk and no show.
•	Get good at your craft. Learn, study, take classes, make films, and get creative. 
•	Don’t fake it – don’t try to be famous for being famous. Have some actual talent to hang your hat on, because those who love you now may ditch you when your looks are gone, and if you’ve built your talent on something that fades like a flower, you’ll wonder what’s become of your life.

 

What are your favorite shows/film?
 Some of my favorite shows and films lately have been “The Kids Are Alright,” “Songland,” The Masked Singer,” “The Greatest Showman,” “Arrival,” and almost anything with Drew Barrymore and Charlize Theron.

 

How can we follow you online?
 
 [Here’s a link to my get one of my book downloads.](https://www.PoeticPrescriptions.com/FreeBook)
 [Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/katherinenorland)
 [Subscribe to my YouTube channel.](https://www.youtube.com/user/katherinenorland)
 [Like my Facebook page.](https://www.facebook.com/KatNorland/)
 [My acting website in desperate need of an update.](https://www.KatherineNorland.com)
 [Cannibal Corpse Killers website.](https://www.TillDeathPics.com)
 [Everything but the kitchen sink link.](https://katherinenorland.mykajabi.com/link-page)

Actress and Producer Katherine Norland Chats Career Advice

The best part about casting for a gameshow is that anyone excitable enough can be a contestant. Whether it's Who Wants To Be A Billionaire or Family Feud, there's a big enough casting market for (almost) anyone and everyone to apply to be considered for an episode. So - how DO you get on a gameshow? What do casting directors look for? We broke it down into a few suggestions to help you get started if you're thinking about applying:
 

<h3 class="text-center">Be yourself. </h3>
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/5eFF43uxKLJ3p8Ak9M" width="480" height="240" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>
Everyone says this but it's even more important when being on a gameshow. Viewers fall in love with the contestant because of who they are and the authenticity of their personality. So, yes, be yourself. If you love wearing funky socks or are obsessed with wearing your hair a certain way - do it. The casting director will appreciate you being unapologetically yourself. 

Pro tip: When you're filling out an application to be on a gameshow, be honest and opinionated with your answers. Make sure that what you write shows off who you are.
 


<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">Know if you qualify before you apply. </h3>
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/efPBPxRQHVeCcECSH7" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>
If you're applying to be on a trivia gameshow, make sure you know enough trivia that you're confident enough that you'd win. You don't need to be an expert, but you should be qualified. This goes for any topic-specific gameshow casting out there. Don't waste the posters time and energy if you're completely not qualified. 
 


<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">Think of your story.</h3>
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/H1dW8F4lyrjyITzHDu" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>
You'll most likely be asked "why should we pick you?". This is such a tough question to answer - we get it. Think about what makes you and your story unique, why that makes you qualified, and what makes you relatable to the show's audience. If you can convey that answer in one or two sentences, you'll be one step closer to being cast.
 


<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">Be a fan of the show.</h3>
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/XCfup5t3IEefAiKEcE" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>
If it's a reoccurring show that's been on TV for multiple seasons, chances are the casting director will want to know if you're a fan of the show. If you are - let them know why. If you haven't seen the show before - be honest. However, it's always good practice to read up on the casting beforehand so that you're prepared for the types of questions the casting director will ask you. 
 


<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">Put yourself out there.</h3>
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/ieP5jI3S06bps6yOYu" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>
We always encourage aspiring on-camera talent to apply to their dream gigs. What's the worse that could happen if you apply? You'll never know what kinds of shows you can book if youd don't apply. Remember to put yourself out there and shoot your shot. You may surprise yourself on the responses you get.
 


<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

So - are you ready to start booking slots on gameshows? Great. Let us help you get started. On castingdepot.com you can find castings for new and reoccurring shows that want you to apply. Start winning cash [here](https://www.castingdepot.com).

How To Get On A Gameshow

It's the last week of February and casting directors are looking for fresh talent! Are you ready to book the next audition? Here are the casting calls that are hot on our radar from the Casting Depot feed:
<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/advice+articles/feed3.png" align="center" width="1200" height="300"/>

<h3 class="text-center">🔥 Grindr: </h3>
 
Famous dating app Grindr is now casting men who have never used Grindr before AND casting a happy couple who met on Grindr. 

Apply [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/p/gay-bi). 

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">📸 Real People, Real Hustles</h3>
A venture-backed startup is looking for real people who have side hustles/gigs that they love and are passionate about. Does this sound like you? Deadline to apply is March 15.

Apply [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/p/realpeoplerealhustles). 

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
<h3 class="text-center">💕 My Extreme Baby Shower</h3>

When becoming a parent, everything has to be perfect. These days, young couples are stepping up their game to host the most lavish baby showers in preparation for their new arrival. Does this sound like you? Now casting soon-to-be parents who will be hosting a baby shower come May or June of 2021.

Apply [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/p/extremebabyshower). 

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">💕 Now Casting - Nashville Singles</h3>
All3 Media is now casting Nashville based singles for a new dating show for a major network! This project is with a well-known relationship expert who will act as your personal matchmaker to set you up with the perfect person! This is a PAID opportunity and films for two days in March.

Apply [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/p/nashville). 

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">🗽April Labs: NY-Based Influencers</h3>

April Labs, an apartment rental app meant for the modern renter, is now casting NYC-based influencers who LOVE New York City. Casting wraps March 1.

Apply [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/p/nycbasedinfluencers). 

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">💍 TLC: 90 Day Fiancé</h3>

Now casting for TLC's 90 Day Fiancé! Casting wraps at the end of March.

Apply [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/p/90dayfiancecasting). 

<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>

<h3 class="text-center">💍 Tubescience: Kardashian Looks</h3>

Casting women with a Kardashian look for a dramatic makeup digital commercial. Please apply if this fits you!

Apply [here](https://www.castingdepot.com/p/kardashianlook). 
 
 
<img src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/23925/1605630461-divider.png" align="center"/>
 
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Castings of the Week 💫

There are over 50,000 films made each year but most of them never receive any distribution due to lack of recognizable cast or sizable budget. Paul, the CEO of Filmocracy, uses gamification and rewards to incentivize people to watch unknown movies and provide them with ratings data. He took a moment from building his film and festival streaming platform startup to speak with us about his journey to success.

<img src="https://castingdepot.imgix.net/blog/Q%26A+Series/paul+jun.png" align="right" width="400" height="80"/>
What’s your full name and occupation?
Paul Jun, CEO, Filmocracy.

Tell us about you and your career.
I started my career in entertainment doing sales and acquisitions for a company called QED International, which turned into Covert Media. We did films like District 9, Fury, and Dirty Grandpa. I met with distributors from different countries at the largest film festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto, and eventually left to start my own venture to help independent filmmakers gain wider distribution.

Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?
It was a difficult choice to leave my job because I don’t think there is in fact any better job than what I had. I was essentially paid to travel to amazing cities, to meet with my clients (who became my friends) and spent company money to buy and sell movies. 
However the industry changed rapidly and there are now an insane number of independent films that are made but never reach an audience. It was also a good time to leave because I was feeling like I had reached my potential at my company. There was also an instance where I found a really great television show format that I wanted to bring to the US, but no matter how I tried my boss wouldn’t spend the money for it. This despite spending 10x more on film projects. Well of course that show eventually sold to Fox and became THE MASKED SINGER. My heartrate still rises every time I pass one of those billboards. 

What advice do you have for people looking to break into the industry?
There is no magic bullet. You’re not going to show up one day and take Hollywood by storm with your amazing script with no financing or cast attached. You have to look at it as a career in which you build upon your past successes. Cultivate relationships, not contacts. The project you make next will probably not be the one that puts you over the top, however as long as it takes you one step closer, that’s where you want to be.

What are your favorite shows/film?
The Lord of the Rings original trilogy. The great cinematic achievement in our lifetime. I will watch any of those films anytime I come across them 😊

What’s is been like working during COVID19?
Honestly it hasn’t changed much for my team since we were all remote anyway. Although we did have to switch from going to WeWork to working from home. The working during COVID19 has been totally great. It’s the living during COVID19 that has been a real struggle.
Your website and link to online video if any.

Give us the plug! How can we follow your business?

 [Website](https://filmocracy.com)
 [Filmocracy Promo Video](https://youtu.be/4QTgz0OKma8)

Industry