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

Monday Myth Debunkers – I Just Need to Book One Co-Star Job.

October 13, 2020September 7, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

We hear this a lot: “I just need to book one co-star job and then…” And then…? YES booking your first co-star job is EXCITING, MEMORABLE, and DEFINITELY something to be proud of. YES booking your first co-star job can help you land representation. YES booking your first co-star job can lead to booking MORE jobs in general. BUT (and this is a big-fat-BUT) 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. You are responsible for your future success, not your booking. Point …

Terminology Tuesday – Offer Only

September 8, 2020September 1, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Offer only is the term used to describe an actor who will only consider a role if it’s offered outright. ⁠ That means no auditions, no callbacks, and no tests.⁠ ⁠ Dream come true?⁠ ⁠ With most things in life, there are some caveats. ⁠ ⁠ But first, let’s discuss the different types of situations where you could be considered offer only:⁠ ⁠ When your agent has established that you should be considered “offer only,” a few different factors will …

Monday Myth Debunkers – You Shouldn’t be Holding Your Sides.

October 13, 2020August 31, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

While being off-book is supremely helpful in order for you to concentrate more on the direction we give you vs. your lines, holding your sides is A-OK. Here’s why:⁠ ⁠ 1. The frame we’re getting is fairly tight. A standard frame for in-person sessions and self-taping is a medium close-up (about mid-bust). ⁠ ⁠ Translation: we aint seeing those sides one bit. ⁠ ⁠ 2. If your sides act as a security blanket and help your feel more confident in …

Terminology Tuesday – Scale

August 25, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

If you were able to grab a spot in last weekend’s co-star intensive, you’ll know we went over a lot of “scale” numbers. Feel free to “save” this one as a quick reference guide 🗳 Scale refers to the minimum amount of pay that SAG-AFTRA will allow its members to work for on a given project. Offered on both a daily and weekly scale, SAG rates are often determined by the project type, budget constraints, and distribution plan. Scale rates …

Monday Myth Debunkers – Casting Directors Don’t Actually Watch Reels.

October 13, 2020August 24, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

If there was a prize for the biggest #mythdebunker, it would go to this one. Nothing could be further from the truth. And here’s the why… If you didn’t already know: casting is a LOT of work. Between the speedy expectations of casting, the multiple projects on our plate, we have to efficiently allot time for: producer sessions, emails, avail checks, breakdowns, script reading, generals, budget crunching, submission reviewing, list-making, reel editing, pitch calls, concept meetings, studio/network calls, director calls, …

Terminology Tuesday – Honeywagon

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Honeywagons: those lavish, mansion-like trailers that actors use as their private resting room & creative space. Some actually have pools attached and even an entire dining roo— Oh wait. VERY few actors would be able to use to word “lavish” to describe their trailers. The vast majority of actors are at the disposal of what production provides them. HOWEVER, trailers ARE used as negotiation deal points. So in addition to honeywagons, let’s go over the different types: HONEYWAGON: …

Monday Myth Debunker – It’s Better to Address Conflicts as They Come Vs. Book Out with my Agent.

August 17, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

No conflicts are better than any conflicts, right? Well, technically, sure. But there’s a worse situation to be in. It’s the scenario that CDs, reps & actors alike all dread. That moment when your agent calls to pin you and — 😳😳😳 You have plans. Like, BIG unchangeable plans… right during that shooting period. 𝑮𝒖𝒍𝒑. Gulp is right. To give you an idea, here’s a little sample of what can happen if you’re picked as the choice for a role …

Terminology Tuesday – Residuals

August 12, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Residuals: the gifts that keep on giving.⁠ ⁠ Residuals are those fun little paychecks (aka royalties) that are paid to actors in cases of reruns, syndication, DVD release, or online streaming release. ⁠ ⁠ Getting residuals in the mail can be quite the pleasant surprise. Sometimes it’s a nice payment for DVD sales of a feature. ⁠ ⁠ …and sometimes it’s a 47 cent check for the rerun of a show you did 10 years ago. Womp womp.⁠ ⁠ Residuals …

Monday Myth Debunker – You Should be Constantly Updating Casting.

August 10, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

If you missed our @TheCastingDirectorsCut webinar on Friday, we’re going to go ahead and start with a now-infamous quote by the incomparable @somethinglikemike. ⁠ ⁠ “Treat us like you’d treat your gym. How often do you want to hear from your gym? If it’s an amazing 50% membership deal, GREAT! Other than that, you don’t really want to hear from your gym.”⁠ ⁠ So, basically, THAT, but let’s dive a little deeper. ⁠ ⁠ How often are you “updating” casting …

Terminology Tuesday – Co-star

August 4, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Co-stars are the smaller speaking roles in a TV show that support one or more scenes. Sometimes co-stars can be in multiple scenes with anywhere from zero to 10+ lines. Co-stars are determined by: 1. The size of the role 2. The importance of the role to the story 3. Amount of dialogue 4. Casting budget Typical co-star roles include characters like a nurse, a cop, a receptionist, etc. Usually, the purpose of a co-star role is to help the …