About Me
Casting Director for commercials, TV, film, music videos, reality TV and theatre. I am also a professional acting coach and industry consultant specializing in audition prep. Contact me about independent classes and HatchTheatre.com
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance Casting Director and Project Manager
(Beth Melsky Casting, Strickman-Ripps, Inc., Foreground, Inc.)
November 2009 – Present
New York, NY
• Prepare, organize and carry out all casting sessions, call backs and bookings
• Direct actors and REAL people in national union and non union commercial auditions for major production companies and top ad agencies (Go Daddy, Toys R Us, Nintendo, Snickers, Verizon, Hyundai, et al)
• Post official breakdowns for lead, under 5 and extra roles utilizing numerous online casting services
• Work with SAG and AFTRA under various contracts (SAG at CW, SAG Short Film Agreement, AFTRA at CW, Exhibits A and B)
• Project manager facilitating pre-production operations start to finish from booking travel arrangements and hiring local crew to running casting sessions off-site, (Valid Passport and Driver's License - Casting experience in Chicago, DC, Nashville, Miami)
• Scout new talent by attending several industry showcases, comedy shows and networking events
• Independent & Commercial Casting Director credits include:
Casting Associate Producer January 2012 - Present
Paperny Entertainment New York, NY
• Research topics of interest for new show ideas in their developing stage
• Design and conduct deep interviews over the phone, on camera and via Skype with potential talent
• Casting AP for HGTV Pilot, Jersey Closers
• Support EVP of Programming, Show Runner, UPM and Producers in the development, casting and production of new TV projects
Casting Director
July 2007 – August 2011
Central Casting New York
New York, NY
• Lead casting director (extras) on Gossip Girl, The Amazing Spider-Man, Prime Suspect (Pilot), Blue Bloods, Law & Order Criminal Intent, Date Night, Parks and Recreation, The Tyra Banks Show and Lights Out in addition to assisting on several other television shows and features
• Promoted twice in one year from Associate Casting Director and Temporary Casting Assistant
• Cast extras, stand-ins, featured background, body and photo doubles for television and film
• Worked with New York State Dept. of Labor on child labor rulings and child performer work permits
• Established and maintained strong relationships and correspondence with leading agencies and managers.
• Cast principal for AETN History Channel promo, corresponding and collaborating with executive producer, Steve Lehrman
• Collaborated with producers, directors, assistant directors and production representatives to design the tone of the background
Head Acting Coach September 2008 – Present
BIH Studios New York, NY
• Coach students in monologues, commercial copy, on-camera and cold-reading techniques
• Speak to students about entry-level opportunities in the film and television business
• Design and lead workshops on audition preparation and improvement
• Prepare students for industry-level competition in the fast-paced New York entertainment field
Casting/Production/Theater Marketing Intern May 2006 – August 2006
ABC Film & Video, LLC New York, NY
• Designed and organized headshot filing system for Casting Director, Kevin Kennison, and ABC Film & Video
• Prepared casting area and filmed casting sessions with Casting Director, James Calleri
• Contacted and cast approximately 400+ background actors for And Then Came Love, a film by Fox Meadow Films/ABC Film & Video
• Created and managed corporate MySpace page to spread awareness of the company’s services
• Other tasks included set lockdown; supporting script supervisors, craft services and assistant directors; and running background in holding
