Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stacey Daly on August 13, 2009 at 2:29

Hi Lucy - thanks for opening this out to the masses!

Without sounding like some sort of bitter actor (although inevitably that's what I could end up sounding like) I guess the main thing that I have found frustrating over the years about the casting process (particularly in Wales) is how there appears to be not much variation in terms of what actors are used. When I have watched stuff I am presented with the same faces time and time again. I appreciate that when a company employs an actor for the first time they may often choose to use them again (and why the hell not, I for one wouldn't complain if it was me) but sometimes this appears to be the case just for convinience sake and companies I feel tend to encourage a core cast for want of a better word which then makes it very difficult to get your foot in the door...sometimes before even seeing a production I can guess who's going to be in it and 8 out of 10 times I'm spot on!
I guess what I'm saying is, it would be refreshing if companies could start to utilise the talent of more actors (actors that perhaps they have never worked with before), rather than just play it safe and use the same old faces - does this make any sense?

In terms of the audition/casting process, personally I'm not such a fan of open auditions. I prefer to attend a casting when I know that there is a specific role that realistically I can be considered for. Whilst, it is always good to meet for a 'general' I'm just not sure how useful they actually are for both the company and the actor. On a similar note, with general auditions actors are sometimes asked to perform speeches/monologues etc and I have never really felt that this really provides the company/director/casting director etc with much of an insight into the actor and their capabilities and suitability. Attending a casting and being asked to read from the play that is being cast is much more interesting and useful.

Over the years, I have been very pro-active in attempting to get work myself, one of the things I have always done is invite companies/individuals (potential employers) to come and watch me in something (when you cannot get called in to audition for something this sometimes is the only option)...but not very often do people come and again I find this very frustrating.

...sorry I could talk and talk about this subject for hours but don't want to bombard you too much so I hope that some of what I've said so far has been useful and not too negative - at the end of the day the majority of actors out there are just extremely passionate about their job and about working and just want a fair chance of being able to do this.

Thanks for the opportunity to share some of my thoughts on this!

Permalink Reply by Julie Barclay on August 15, 2009 at 2:19

Hi Lucy and Stacey

Ive been inspired to join in..i want to support Stacey in her views and also to add a few observations of my own.

It feels to me as if actors are the 'also rans' of the casting process. We are often told at the last minute that we are required to attend a casting leaving us little time to prepare.The time of the casting can be changed right up to the last minute and we are expected to be continaully available and understanding..and then after we have jumped through enough hoops for us to beable to add Circus Skills to our CV's..we are the last people to know about the outcome of the casting/audition...very often we are NOT CONTACTED AT ALL and we are considerably out of pocket from travelling sometimes at the most expensive times on the train. Obviously casting directors have busy schedules and their own deadlines to meet but im talking about having some consideration for actors so that they are able to present themselves in the best light.

So i suppose thats a point about mutual respect. If an actor attends a casting, at least let them know the outcome..Surely that isnt too much to ask. Apart from the waiting which is pretty frustrating...an actor cant move on and plan anything else and can lose work as a result of waiting to hear.

The idea of going into a casting for 3 minutes after you have sometimes travelled cross the country to get there is laughable.How can anyone judge your ability?...no wonder they fall back on using the same actors.It defeats the object of meeting people if as soon as you meet them you are asking them to leave.

Personally i prefer to read a script but also work with other actors too..why are so many castings done one to one?..The actor wont be working alone in a film or TV/play.Surely it is better to work with a group of actors talking about the play or film/TV script and make inroads into the text or improvise some back story...you know..make it worth while..help the actor to feel that their contribution has been useful..

Without actors and an audience there wouldnt be theatre..it can survive without directors and writers...( im not advocating this..im just taking theatre back to its basic requirements), so why are they last to be fairly considered and consulted in the casting process?

Permalink Reply by Terry Victor on October 11, 2009 at 5:56

I agree with all the points raised by Julie and Stacey but (before the opportunity disappears) thought I should throw in my own two penn'orth.

This is a bit Panglossian but, right now, NTW has the potential to be the best of all possible worlds.

All castings whether general or specific should be private, with a realistic amount of time allowed for the actor to respond to the casting requirement. 'Realistic', in this context, relates to the actor being given a sufficient opportunity - not an administrative mindset of 'how many can we get through if we allow three minutes each?'. 'Private' is simply an opposite of 'open' and does not preclude sharing a script reading or workshopping with other professional actors.

Ideally, if an actor is not available on any given day then an alternative date should be arranged. It is disheartening to miss an opportunity that you are available for simply because you are contracted to be elsewhere on that audition day of all days.

Equally, 24 (48? 72?) hours is really not sufficient notice for any actor to fully prepare for the specifics of a casting opportunity.

Obviously, expenses should be paid for recalls and workshop auditions.

Local and pan-Cymru auditions should be offered in every instance.

Auditions should also be about forming relationships. It may well be that an actor is not right for a specific part but an ongoing casting process can be beneficial to all parties.

Prompt feedback on an audition is a must. At this moment of writing I am still waiting to be told that I haven't got one particular part - one month on from the audition. The disrepect with which that theatre regards me breeds an unfortunate reciprocity: they (no names no packdrill - unless you meet me in a bar)are too bloody high and mighty to care or notice actors, etc etc. Please don't let the NTW go down that road.

This is the golden opportunity to lead by example and change the world. Fingers crossed.

Permalink Reply by Elise Davison on October 12, 2009 at 11:03

Well - this is a fab opportunity so I shall add my comments. I agree with the points made and will echo or add a few of my own. It is great to be made aware of any casting which is happening - through a website or such like. However but not if this is just pseudo openess - by this I mean the roles are being advertised when in reality they are already cast.
Also it is a constant source of frustration to have to travel to London to audition for a company who are working down the road from where you live. If the shows are in Wales it makes sense for the casting to be here too - or we are simply supporting the London - centricness of this business even more.

Also it is fantastic to be seen by companies who are local to you and refreshing when a large organisation will accept and read submissions from actors who may represent themselves or be represented by smaller/newer agents as well as those from a large agency.

Being given a chance/ opportunity is all any actor can ask for and as previously mentioned communication is really only polite - an email or call to let you know if you have been unsuccessful is really healpful. Also the opportunity to have feedback.

Thanks you for giving us the opportunity to be part of this process....
Best Wishes
Elise

Permalink Reply by Lucy Davies on November 11, 2009 at 8:14

Thank you good people for your insights and contributions over these months. It has been really genuinely helpful and now that the shows are announced I will be working on getting the casting policy up here within a few weeks. Watch this space. Still keep the comments coming though. x