This is only a short blog but its one that is just as important as a long one if not more important.

Time keeping at auditions.

Ever turned upto an audition and its running 15 minutes late or even worse 30 minutes late.
Well here's one of the potential reasons why...

if someone is late, fine I get it. Trains are a nightmare and tubes. But if you turn up 15 mins late and your slot was at 10:00, I now have to squeeze you in at 10:30 after the next person has been in the room. Meaning that actual 10:30 auditionee won't get in the room now until 10:45. if that happen 3 times in a day then think how badly that can effect delays of others.

​Please please please always aim to arrive at your audition venue atleast 15 minutes early. Even if you get there then go sit in a cafe round the corner until a few minutes before your time if your not keen on sitting in the waiting area then this is MUCH better than being that late auditionee.

it happens, we all have bad days. Just try to pre check the evening before your journey for the next day and set off with enough time to factor in delays. It is London transport after all!

Firstly, just want to say thank you for all of your support & feedback to my first blog. Literally blown away by the amount of viewers in their tens of thousands reading my simple thoughts. Hard to comprehend & wrap my head around the fact that people are even interested in what I have to say.


My first thoughts for writing a blog were to give people an insight into the "behind the scenes" stuff that goes on that they don't see. Since then I've received so many requests from actors, agents & even producers whom have shown interest in hearing more views on certain topics. If you do have anything in particular you would like to read about please do let me know in the comments section below. Anyway moving on.


In this blog I have decided to talk about something I have come across recently quite a lot by working with numerous different creative teams. This industry thrives on opinions. Bold statement, yes, let me divulge.


1) "That Actor freaked me out by staring at me the entire time during her audition speech" balance that with "I got no connection what so ever from him, his eyes were all over the place”.


2) "There was waaaaay too much vib (vibrato) in that voice" balance that with "that was a lovely clean sound, no vib at all jus natural beautiful sound, perfect for MT”.


3) "They favourite like EVERYTHING I ever post on social media, its weird" balance that with "Yes I know his name from Twitter, always supports my work, so lets bring him in”.


See the trend starting to develop? It’s all a matter of opinion. You might be the best thing since sliced bread to one panel but to another panel, 10 minutes later you’re a Deatheater! (Yes I’m a Harry Potter fan & proud!) You CANNOT please everyone all the time. No matter how hard you try or research. Its so subjective at times it hurts.


Do remember that the team are forming their opinion on you as soon as you walk in that door. My assistant the delightful Scott Livingstone is usually hovering around outside in the corridor waiting to sign people in & say hello. He is there to make you feel welcome, calm you down & have a chat to bring you to our level so you’re not nervous. If he comes into the room & lets us know you are a nightmare or bitter or resentful then the team form an opinion on you before you even get to showcase your talent to us (Not that he does that often LOL). Remember the director is the one that has to spend 4 to 6 weeks in a rehearsal room with you. They want to spend it with nice, easy going people. People they can get on with. Not the kind of actors mentioned above. Don't shoot yourself in the foot, the waiting room isn't the place for a good bitch, leave that until your on the phone to your mam after filling her in on your day. As mums love us to do. (Hi mum! Scott quickly calls his mum Babara to let her know he's been mentioned in a blog hahaha).


Gosh your probs all reading this now thinking "aaaagh I should just quit now", absolutely NOT. Its my job as a Casting Director to make sure you’re best prepared for that audition & if this blog helps just one of you with these comments then BOOM job well done, if we were playing Tetris we would now be on level 3! Whoop whoop!


There are way more examples than just the above but they are a few basics for you to get an idea of what I mean about opinions.


In answer to example 1) I always say, just ask the team before you start if they mind you looking at them, then you've got your answer right there. For singing auditions the majority look above the head & some now & again glance down at the panel on select moments that are appropriate. But once again, it is a matter of opinion. I've worked with some directors that HATE being eye balled but worked with some that LOVE it! Ya can't win!


I do believe in Irish luck. As some times that luck on the day of your audition may just sway it your way & make it your lucky day. Ha that totes rhymed.......Tetris level 4! Whoop!


If you believe in your talent enough, and don't give up, someone's opinion will align with what you have to offer sooner or later.

Video games. Football. Relationships. Friends. Bank holidays.

It's so easy in this industry to get carried away & involved in "the bubble" & forget about real life, real things happening with real muggles (none industry related folk, yes Harry Potter reference again!). It got to a point where I would be sat in conversations at family gatherings, talking to people & not really have anything to talk about apart from who is in what show, what year this musical first came out or knowing everything about an actor down to their shoe size.
My everyday routine would be to wake up 7:30/8:00, make my way to the casting studio or to my laptop if working from home, work all day casting, go to see a show, see the cast after, miss the last tube home (thankyou Uber!), get home, print out CV's for the next day. Get to sleep around 1/2am. To start it all over again. This was when I realised I needed to stop being so in the bubble & have some "me" time. We get so involved in our own industry that we forget about real life & how important it is to look after yourself.
I now have 2 days a week dedicated to playing football, yes with industry folk but it's something different. I'm not very good at it but yolo & it's a laugh.
I play Xbox, follow the footy every Satuday, spend time with my fiance & try to see friends. The last one i'm trying to do alot more & things like Whatsapp groups make this a whole lot easier now.

The purpose of this post is to try & help people, to help them realise that it's all a bubble. Don't be afraid of stepping out of that bubble at times & giving yourself some you time. By doing so you will find yourself a hell of alot calmer & a nicer person to be around. Being stagey isn't the be all & end all. Life is there for us to experience.

Auditions……

Here is an example of a creative team totally stumped on choices. We stood for 3 hours deliberating one role. Different opinions from different creative team members of which actor was perfect for it in their eyes.

Everything was discussed from height, build, eyes even before the actors talent was mentioned. All to try & fit that jigsaw we call casting.

Voices were raised & strong emotions were spilled by different members of the team each wanting their reason to be seen over the others & fighting for who they thought should be cast. The difficulty this time was our options for our leading lady, as all so were so good. Ultimately the final decision rested with the director & the producer.

I think what i'm trying to share with you is that it really does sometimes come down to the tiny things, it's not always the most talented actor that wins the role as upsetting as that may be. But if she fits with her opposite more than the other choice does then.....there we go.
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This is just a small part of my daily life as a Casting Director that I will soon start sharing with you. I want to give people more of an insight into the life of the so called "gatekeepers". Please follow the blog to be kept upto date.

Enjoy.

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