Casting Director Deborah Barylski Q&A

On Tuesday night I attended a free Q&A session with Casting Director Deborah Barylski sponsored by The New York Film Academy.  It was a lovely session and very informative.  Many excellent questions, here are the highlights.

Q. Is a background in theater important?

A. Short answer: no.  Longer answer: Theater is not necessary, but you have to have/study craft.  Studying film and theater can only help.

Q. Do you ever hire non-union actors?

A. No.  You have to be in the union to work on a union project.  Yes, there is the TAFT-HARTLEY option, but it is expensive (for the producers) and they will only use it as a last resort.  Options:

1. Become SAG eligible via extra work – you receive vouchers for your extra work.  I believe you only get a voucher if you are a featured extra (you have a speaking line) and you have to have three of them to be SAG eligible (I will double check this).
2. Get in to AFTRA.  This can be done by laying out the cash (currently $1600) or getting a job on an AFTRA shoot and letting them take the fees out of your paycheck (I hear they can spread this over three paychecks).  Once you’re in AFTRA they can TAFT-HARTLEY you without having to pay any fines.
3. Book a SAG commercial because it’s much easier to use the TAFT-HARTLEY option for commercials.
4. Be 17 or younger.  The first hire of minor does not incur fines.
5. Have an unusual and very specific (hard to find) combination of qualities & skills.  Find a production that is looking for exactly that combination.

Q. What bad habits do you see in actors at auditions?

A. She started with some don’ts, and then gave some excellent tips:

1. Don’t apologize for anything!
2. Don’t do anything you have to apologize for.
3. Prepare (prepare, prepare)
4. Make choices!
5. Always prepare at least two ways to do the scene you are given.
6. Do your homework.  Know who you are going to be meeting and know what they’ve done.
7. Leave the audition room once you are done (they can’t talk about you until you are out of the room) but don’t leave the waiting room until they call in the next person (they may decide upon discussion that they want to see something else from you).

And for any foreign nationals reading this:

Q. Do you hire foreign nationals without a work visa.

A. Short: No.  Longer: The paperwork takes time and frequently productions don’t have that kind of time.  She told a story about a hire she did of a Canadian that they barely got the paperwork through in time for.  So, if you’re a foreign national get that paperwork going.  Not having it will hurt you.