Nick Coleman

Diakeim is a casting associate with Liz Lewis Casting Partners in NYC. His office casts a lot of commercials, and sometimes deals with other kinds of projects (including voiceovers). A former actor, he understands the difficulties of the business, and sympathizes with the day to day ordeals we go through (many casting directors are former actors#–sometimes, as with Diakeim, this is a good thing… other times… oh, Nelly…)

Diakeim’s Comments:

• The key to getting work is consistency and perseverance. Keep sending mailings, follow up on auditions with postcards, always be prepared. Eventually, with perseverance, you will find work.
• Getting cast is like playing the lottery: there are a lot of actors, and multiple events have to go just your way in order for you to be called in for the audition, much less cast. Don’t dwell on it, just accept that this is the reality of the profession, and don’t question yourself just because you haven’t "won the lottery."
• There is no pressure on you to get the role, because you have no control over whether or not you are getting cast. Since you have no control over the outcome of the audition, let go of the pressure.
• When you are called for an audition, ask a lot of questions: What exactly are you auditioning for (union status, product/program, character, spot type/contract type)? What should you wear? What time is the audition? How long should it take to audition? These questions are not appropriate later on… only when you get the call for the audition, so be sure to ask.
• As an actor, you are a product: know your product well, and know how to present that product in the best possible light. You have a responsibility to be clean, neat, well dressed, and prepared.
• Never "crash" an audition: if you weren’t called for an audition there is probably a reason#–if you try to get in to the audition anyway, you run the risk of angering the casting director, and/or wasting their time. Most casting sessions have been limited to a set number of actors for a reason (time constraints, request of the production company, etc). You aren’t helping yourself by crashing an audition. If you have been called to a casting office for one part, and see an audition for another that you might be right for, ask the casting director if they have time to see you. While the answer most likely will be "no," it is acceptable to ask#–but not to sneak into the audition.
• Casting directors at Liz Lewis meet weekly to discuss new talent and to go over recently received headshots and resumes… just because you haven’t received a call does not mean that you are not being considered: keep mailing.
• Voiceover demos should be brief: no more than 4 minutes.
• There is a limit to how much correspondence you should send: don’t contact a casting director (by mail or otherwise) unless you have a reason. Postcard when: you are in a show, class, etc. Call when: the casting director has indicated that you should keep in touch by phone (rare).