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

Monday Myth Debunkers: Self Tapes Don’t Belong in Your Reel.

October 3, 2022June 21, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Buckle up for this one folks… because we feel strongly that this is nothing but a grade-A #myth. First of all, regardless of what anyone tells you, there are no rules when it comes to your demo reel. CSA and SAG-AFTRA do NOT have a set rules as to what can and cannot be in your demo reel. 𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦. There is no “list” that CDs have come up with that they adhere to when watching your reel. Anyone who …

Monday Myth Debunkers: The More Agents, The Better.

October 3, 2022June 14, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Today’s #MondayMythDebunker specifically refers to theatrical agents in the same (smaller) market, as theatrical agents in bigger markets like LA & NY most likely will practice exclusivity for their clients. ⁠ ⁠ More is better, right?⁠ ⁠ As with most things in this industry—𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺. ⁠ ⁠ YES, many agencies in smaller markets will allow you to have more than one agent, especially if the region is further out from their local market—but is it the best choice?⁠ ⁠ That …

Terminology Tuesday: Intimacy Coordinator

October 3, 2022June 8, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Double-tap if you’ve heard today’s term before. ⁠ ⁠ The role of the intimacy coordinator is to support the actor in any intimate action on set, such as contact kissing, physical touch, and simulated sex. They often plan, choreograph and liaise with actors and the production team to ensure that those in front of, and behind, the camera feel safe and comfortable with every aspect and stage of the process.⁠ ⁠ Intimacy coordinators must possess an in-depth knowledge of the …

Terminology Tuesday: Upfronts

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

Upfronts just ended so we thought this would be a good time to answer the question… what the heck are upfronts?!⁠ ⁠ Upfronts are annual TV presentations that usually take place in New York (however thanks to dear old Covid, they’ve been virtual the last 2 years). ⁠ ⁠ They are put on by TV networks with an intent to sell commercial space for the upcoming season ahead of time to advertisers. Networks try to “wow” potential advertisers with their …

Monday Myth Debunker – The Production Value in a Self Tape isn’t Important.

May 24, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Buckle up, today’s #mondaymythdebunker is a controversial one! Member the good old days when you’d walk into a casting office and the room was equipped with everything needed to achieve the perfectly recorded tape? Well (currently) we’ve traded in-person auditioning with self taping/virtual casting so in a sense, we’ve passed the producing torch to you. That’s right—in the land of self tapes 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚎𝚛. 𝘎𝘶𝘭𝘱. We know it’s a lot. And we are …

Monday Myth Debunkers: An Unsolicited Self Tape is Better Than Nothing.

October 3, 2022May 17, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

…is it though? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬?⁠ ⁠ An unsolicited self tape refers to a self-taped audition that is submitted to a casting office without that office actually requesting one. ⁠ ⁠ How do actors even get the information for an unsolicited self tape?⁠ ⁠ A couple of different ways. But usually it’s either:⁠ ⁠ ① Their agent sent them the instructions to tape without telling them it was unsolicited.⁠ ⁠ ② They got the information from a friend who …

Terminology Tuesday: Featured

October 3, 2022May 11, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

There can sometimes be confusion around the term “featured” — especially when the word can be used in different scenarios. ⁠ ⁠ We see a lot of “featured” roles on resumes and we want to make sure actors know exactly what that means. ⁠ ⁠ Typically, a “featured” role pertains to a background role that may be in front of camera or non-verbally interacting with one of the lead actors. ⁠ ⁠ A featured role does not guarantee more money …

Monday Myth Debunkers: The More Headshots the Better.

October 3, 2022May 10, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Double-tap if you’ve ever been told you need more “looks” on your AA profile. ⁠ ⁠ When actors are feeling stuck, often their first thought is their headshots. ⁠ ⁠ But why is there so much 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 put on an actor’s headshot?⁠ ⁠ Sure, it’s the first thing we see.⁠ ⁠ But is it ultimately the thing that gets an actor an audition—and most importantly, a booking?⁠ ⁠ 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵.⁠ ⁠ When you’re feeling stuck and discouraged, remember that your …

Terminology Tuesday: Paid Ads

October 3, 2022May 4, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Another small (but notable) deal point your reps will negotiate for you on a movie deal has to do with paid ads. ⁠ ⁠ Paid ads refer to the way in which you are credited in advertising for a film: from movie posters to billboards, and more.⁠ ⁠ Actors can be billed either in the billing block or above the title & artwork. ⁠ ⁠ Most actors will receive credit in the billing block — the credits that appear in …

Terminology Tuesday: Favored Nations

October 3, 2022April 27, 2021 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Before we get into today’s #terminologytuesday, we can’t reiterate enough how important it is for actors to take an active role in understanding and shaping your deals. ⁠ ⁠ 𝙄𝙣 𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙨.⁠ ⁠ Today, we’ll break down an important and frequently used term: 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. ⁠ ⁠ Most favored nations (or most commonly known as just ‘MFN’) means that you are getting …