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

Monday Myth Debunkers – It’s All About Looks.

October 13, 2020October 5, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

It’s true! You must be attractive to get auditions and book jobs. ⁠ ⁠ *𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘱*⁠ ⁠ But by “attractive” we don’t mean six-packs, veneers and balayage. ⁠ ⁠ 𝕎𝕖’𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕢𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤, 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕜𝕤.⁠ ⁠ Attractive actors = ones who work hard, have a can-do attitude, have the ability to be present & stay-focused, and be a pleasant person to be around. ⁠ ⁠ Ok, ok, you’ve heard those things before. ⁠ ⁠ So let’s get to the crux of …

Terminology Tuesday – Loan-Out

October 13, 2020September 29, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

A loan-out is a personal company & legal business entity. ⁠ ⁠ The individual, YOU, are technically employed by your own loan-out company. ⁠ ⁠ Loan-out companies can take many different forms such as an LLC, an S-Corporation, or a C-Corporation. ⁠ ⁠ ᴡʜʏ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ ɪɴᴄᴏʀᴘᴏʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ?⁠ ⁠ There are a few benefits:⁠ ⁠ 💰 Lower tax rates. While individuals are taxed on a sliding scale according to their earnings, corps are usually taxed a flat fee. The savings can be …

Terminology Tuesday – Packaging

September 24, 2020September 22, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Packaging is a type of bundling where an agency develops a film or television project using writers, directors and/or actors it represents, before giving other agencies a chance to submit their clients for the project.⁠ ⁠ A packaged project is in between the script stage and the pre-production stage. ⁠ ⁠ A typical packaging of a film might include a shortlist of the main actors who are willing to commit to being in the film, a name director and/or cinematographer …

Monday Myth Debunkers – The Market is too Saturated with my Type.

October 13, 2020September 21, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

Acting is an art, no doubt. But it’s also a business. ⁠ ⁠ And if there’s one thing successful businessmen and women want you to know; it’s that there’s no such thing as an overly saturated market, especially when the “demand” is so high. ⁠ ⁠ And the demand is high. ⁠ ⁠ Even now. Even during a pandemic. Even as productions just start to go back. ⁠ ⁠ We are looking for you. ⁠ ⁠ YOU!⁠ ⁠ You, the …

Terminology Tuesday – Deal Memo

September 16, 2020September 15, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

A deal memo is a less formal employment contract, usually implemented by the studio and drafted by a casting director or associate. ⁠ ⁠ Because they are less formal, they generally contain significantly less wording than traditional contracts but are still binding. ⁠ ⁠ In a deal memo, you can find all details of the job including terms of employment, financial compensation, billing and any travel points such as transportation/accommodations/per diem etc.⁠ If you’re represented, your agent/manager will take care …

Monday Myth Debunkers – IMDB STARmeters Matter.

October 13, 2020September 14, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

The STARmeter is IMDB’s ranking system based on searches done by the website’s users. Basically, the more you’re searched for on IMDB, the higher your star meter is. These rankings are updated weekly.⁠ ⁠ We’ve seen actors go through great lengths to get that coveted star meter up. ⁠ ⁠ And we can’t help but wonder.. 𝘸𝘩𝘺?⁠ ⁠ Here are a few reasons why your IMDB STARmeter does not matter:⁠ ⁠ 1. If we’re on IMDB, it’s to find contact …

Terminology Tuesday – Chemistry Read

September 8, 2020 by Ramani Leah, CSA

A chemistry read (or chemistry test) is an opportunity for the producers, director, and studio/network to see what kind of chemistry you have (if any) with other actors being considered for a role opposite yours. Not all projects have chemistry reads—it’s largely dependent on the director or showrunner’s preference. It’s a way for the creative team to see if the actors have compatibility, comfort and feel like they “fit” together. ⁠ ⁠ So how can you whip yourself up some …

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 …