Ramani Leah, CSA, Author at The Casting Director's Cut

Monday Myth Debunkers: There’s Always Rehearsal.

October 3, 2022March 1, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

If you’re an actor coming from stage to TV/film—this might be tough one for you to wrap your mind around but…⁠ ⁠ 𝔻𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦’𝕣𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕪 𝕣𝕖𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖.⁠ ⁠ Once on set, you will likely do one read-through of the scene, and one “rehearsal for marks” – where any physical movement in the scene is recorded and your blocking is marked colored tape on the floor. You will then be released while your stand-in (second team) gets …

Monday Myth Debunkers: I’m Doing Something Wrong.

October 13, 2022February 22, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

🛑🛑🛑 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 🛑🛑🛑 You ready for this one? As much as you want to think you are “doing something wrong” in your acting career, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵. That’s not to say there ISN’T room to grow and learn and make choices that yield better results… But that overwhelming thought that creeps in late at night… the one that is extra loud when you find out the new girl in acting class just booked a TOS guest star role and …

Terminology Tuesday: Run-Of-Picture

October 13, 2022February 16, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Congrats! Getting a run-of-picture deal means you’ve booked a lead or a major supporting role and production needs you from start to finish. ⁠ ⁠ This means they’re going to pay you one lump sum for the entire shoot. This also means they expect you to be completely available for the “run of picture”—taking away your ability to accept other jobs during the shooting dates of the movie. ⁠ ⁠ Per union rules, a run-of-picture deal means you’ll be hired …

Monday Myth Debunkers: Castin Offices Only Bring in People They Know.

October 13, 2022February 1, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

This might be one of our biggest myths to date. ⁠ ⁠ How boring would THAT be?!⁠ ⁠ Before we debunk this myth, we want to clarify any “truth” there is to this:⁠ ⁠ Yes, of course, over the years we will develop relationships and admiration for certain actors and will eagerly click on their photo when we see they are submitted for a role. ⁠ ⁠ But it is quite literally our job to know the work of as …

Terminology Tuesday: “Just Try It Again”

October 13, 2022January 27, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Double-tap if this direction gives you heart palpitations.⁠ ⁠ (and yes, today we’re doing #terminologywednesday)⁠ ⁠ It shouldn’t. Truly. ⁠ ⁠ Why do we sometimes give direction as minimal as “try it again” or “do something different”?⁠ ⁠ It could be for a couple of reasons:⁠ ⁠ 👉 We liked what you did and don’t have any specific notes but want to see what else you come up with.⁠ 👉 We thought you have a lot of potential but saw …

Terminology Tuesday: Stunt Casting

October 13, 2022January 20, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Terminology… Wednesday? ⁠ ⁠ Let’s talk stunt casting. ⁠ ⁠ If by stunt casting, you think we’re talking about stunt performers, you might want to read on….⁠ ⁠ Stunt casting is a term we use that refers to the use of a publicity stunt to fill a role in TV, film or theatre.⁠ ⁠ Stunt casting can range from a celebrity or even a well known non-actor cameo appearance to the use of an actor’s real-life relatives to play the …

Monday Myth Debunkers: Slates Don’t Matter.

October 13, 2022January 18, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

You forgot to slate. ⁠ ⁠ NBD, right?⁠ ⁠ Well, not the BIGGEST deal, but a deal. Here’s the deal:⁠ ⁠ 𝕊𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣.⁠ ⁠ Slates mattered before and they certainly matter now. ⁠ ⁠ Think about it. ⁠ ⁠ When you come into the room in-person, we are able to get a whole sense of you: ⁠ ⁠ How you carry yourself, your posture, your stature. ⁠ ⁠ Yes, the acting will always come first. ⁠ ⁠ But it’s (very) …

Terminology Tuesday: Daytime

October 13, 2022January 12, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

What’s so different about on-set life for daytime vs. prime time?⁠ ⁠ IYKYK (if you know, you know)⁠ ⁠ If you don’t, read along…⁠ ⁠ What makes daytime (more specifically, soaps) so much different from prime time TV is primarily the rate at which they need to shoot. ⁠ ⁠ Think about it. ⁠ ⁠ How often (typically) does a new TV episode air? Every week. ⁠ ⁠ How often (typically) does a new SOAP air? ⁠ ⁠ 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮. 𝘿𝙖𝙮.⁠ …

Monday Myth Debunkers: I Just Want to Bump Up My Credit.

October 13, 2022January 11, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Today’s #MMD is a practical explanation to a question we get frequently:⁠ ⁠ If I book a co-star role, can I bump up my billing to guest star without asking for a pay increase?⁠ ⁠ The simple answer is: 𝗻𝗼⁠ ⁠ According to SAG rules for TV, billing and pay MUST be tied. ⁠ ⁠ Any bump in credit will need to result in the appropriate bump in pay. ⁠ ⁠ For a co-star role that works 2 days, for …

Monday Myth Debunkers: I Just Have Bad Luck.

October 13, 2022January 4, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

We have probably all felt this statement at least once in the past 12 months. ⁠ ⁠ But especially when it comes to acting, is there any truth to it?⁠ ⁠ You’ve taken all the classes, you have updated materials, you have the reps… what gives?⁠ ⁠ Is it really just a string of bad luck?⁠ ⁠ 𝗡𝗼.⁠ ⁠ Absolutely not. ⁠ ⁠ Your luck is no worse and no better than anyone else’s. It just feels that way. ⁠ …