This is the million dollar question.  The easiest way…take a Casting Directors’ workshop if they offer one. 

Where workshops  are concerned, invest time and money wisely and never expect a workshop to result in an audition/work opportunity. It rarely might – but the most valuable learning is about how to audition and how that particular CD likes to run their auditions. So remember what you learn might be very unique to them and may not apply to or work for how you audition for other CDs. Make sure they’re still an active Casting Director and aren’t capitalizing on a career that has seen brighter days years ago. Be wary of “famed Hollywood Casting Director” or “Assistant to famed NY casting Director”…make sure they are legit. And know that with foreign CDs, you’ll learn audition technique,  but don’t expect it to boost your audition rates here in Toronto, unless you can work in the US or they’re casting something shooting here. Just be smart.

Canadian Casting Directors don’t typically do general meetings or “meet n greets” like many US casting directors do…that’s not a judgment statement, it’s just a reality. They’re too busy. Casting is working so quickly and on such limited budgets these days that there just isn’t the time/money to bring in as many people as even the Casting Directors would truly like…it’s just a fact. And when they do have work (they struggle for gigs too!) they need to satisfy their clients (producers/networks/directors) by bringing talent that meet the character criteria, and the talent that can deliver.

The CD’s objective is to bring in talent they believe could all book the role. That said, if there’s only time/money to see ten actors for a role…it’s only natural that they bring in people they know will deliver…it’s just a (sad) fact, a reality. There’s little room for risk, unless the role is very unique.

So how do you get seen…train, keep the resume fresh with no-low paying gigs have a GREAT reel. If you have an agent, ask them to “pitch” you, not just “submit’ you…that means they pick up the phone a go to bat for you. And when you do get called in BE PREPARED and simply give the best audition ever.

Invite them to plays or screenings. If they don’t come, they may send an associate who gives them feedback.

You might choose to snail-mail postcards/resumes to Casting Directors…but…don’t expect responses, and don’t follow up with calls and e-mails (they’re simply too busy). These marketing materials are just like the “dry cleaning” flyers you get at home…they’re not met to be cherished mementos from you that elicit an immediate response…they eventually end up in the trash. That said, like the dry cleaner’s flyer, they do create a brief impression and you might eventually get called in…so if you do send things, keep it brief, original, cheap and to the point. You really need your agent to be submitting you and pitching you for the right roles.

Sending pictures and demo reels… risky and expensive unless coming via your agent (or from you if unrepresented) in support of a submission to a specific and currently casting role (in other words, don’t just send in generally…you risk getting put in a pile that might get reviewed in a year if not trashed on arrival). Demo reel content is a whole ‘nother course and opinions as to \suitable materials for a demo reel is very broad and subjective to each CD.

LTD!
Kevin