Casting Actors Cast

Today we are talking about something that every actor has… every actor worries about… and almost every actor gets wrong. Your demos. Your video reel. Your voice-over demo. Now, I’m going to say something right up front that might shift your thinking immediately: Your demo is not there to show how talented you are. It’s there to make casting feel confident about where to put you. That’s a very diff...

Did you ever walk out of an audition thinking: “I nailed that.” You felt connected. Prepared. Alive in the scene. And then… You didn’t book it. So the actor brain starts spinning. “Was I bad?” “Did they hate it?” “What did I do wrong?” But here’s the truth most actors never hear: The best actor doesn’t always get the job. The best match does. And once you understand why… Auditions become a lot les...

We’re breaking down why redirects exist, what casting is actually testing, and how learning to adjust with ease can make you unforgettable in the room. Because actors who adjust with confidence are remembered. Actors who freeze… disappear. #taking direction, # Audition strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let me tell you something that might sound unfair—but it’s true. Casting starts forming impressions within the first 15 seconds of watching you. And no, it’s not about talent or perfection. It’s about presence. In this episode, we’re unpacking what’s really happening before your first line, why rushing reads as nerves, and how one small shift can instantly make casting lean forward instead of pull...

Actors: here’s casting insights from Casting Actors Cast with casting director Jeff Dreisbach: "Let me tell you something that might sound unfair—but it’s true. Casting starts forming impressions within the first 15 seconds of watching you. And no, it’s not about talent or perfection. It’s about presence. In this episode, we’re unpacking what’s really happening before your first line, why rushing...

Today we’re talking about something every actor experiences but almost no one talks about honestly enough. The slow period. The quiet stretch. The stretch where nothing seems to be happening. Today’s episode is called Your Acting Momentum Plan: Moving Forward When Nothing Seems to Be Happening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re talking about a subject that sits right at the heart of what makes performances compelling, memorable, and bookable. Today’s episode is called Acting for Humans: Why Authenticity Beats Technique Every Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are diving into one of the most important audition skills in today’s industry. Self-tapes. Specifically, we’re talking about something most actors never realize they’re doing wrong. Today’s episode is called The Self-Tape Trap: Are Your Choices Helping or Hurting You? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are talking about something that quietly sabotages more auditions than lack of talent, lack of training, or lack of experience combined. Overthinking. Yes. The invisible career killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is called: How to Be the Actor Everyone Wants to Work With. Notice I didn’t say “best actor.” I didn’t say “most talented actor.” I didn’t say “most trained actor.” Find out it you are one of these actors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is called: “The Best Secrets of Every Successful Actor.” And I want to start by disappointing you — just a little. There is no secret handshake. No magic agent. No single audition that changes everything. But there are patterns. And after decades of watching actors succeed, stall, disappear, return, rebuild, and thrive — I can tell you this: Successful actors don’t do different thi...

Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors, from a casting director, who wants to help you stop fighting the word brand and start using it intelligently. Today’s episode is called: “Best Methods to Uncover Your Brand.” And let me start by clearing something up immediately: Your brand is not: A Costume A Headshot Outfit A Personality you perform Your brand is simply this: The clea...

Today’s episode is called: “How to Act with Irony.” And I want to start with a warning: Irony is one of the fastest ways actors sabotage themselves. Not because irony is bad — but because it’s misunderstood. So today we’re going to talk about: *    What irony actually is *    Why casting loves it when it’s done right *    And how to play irony without losing truth   FIRST: WHAT IRONY IS (AND ISN’T...

Hello, fellow actors. Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors, from a casting director, who wants you to stop doing weird things in the name of “networking.” Today’s episode is called: “Five Ways to Network with Industry Pros.” And before you tense up — no, this is not an episode about: Because real networking — the kind that actually works — looks nothing like what most actor...

Today’s episode is called: “Getting Fired by Your Agent… What Next?” And if that title made your stomach drop just a little — congratulations. You’re human. Also, you’re not alone. Let me start by saying something right up front, because I want to take the sting out of this immediately: Getting dropped by an agent is not a career-ending event. In fact — and I know this may sound wild — for many ac...

Some people can’t even commit to a gym membership for four weeks — and you and I have been meeting here since 2020. Through lockdowns, through self-tape explosions, through new technology disrupting our industry faster than we can say “AI voice clone,” we have been learning together, laughing together, and building the kind of creative courage that keeps actors moving forward. So today isn’t about...

Self-tapes are where careers happen today. They’re the front door of the business. And like any front door — there’s a welcome mat… and there are also banana peels hidden right under the surface waiting to trip you up. Today, we are shining a big bright spotlight on The Self-Tape Trap. Those choices actors make with good intentions — really good intentions — that accidentally sabotage the performa...

We’re talking about overthinking. That mental spiral where suddenly your brain is narrating your audition like it’s doing play-by-play commentary during the Super Bowl. “Here comes the second line — careful, careful — don’t mess this up — oof, eyebrow twitch — bad eyebrow! Reset! Reset!” Overthinking is the enemy of presence. The enemy of impulse. The enemy of surprise. It’s like having a backseat...

Hey my amazing, wonderful actor friends! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — where you and I get to hang out, learn a little, laugh a little, and uncover the real tools that help you prepare smarter, act better, and book more. I’m your host, Jeff Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, actor, and your industry friend who is in your corner, rooting for you every step of the way. Today’s episode is...

Have you ever walked into an audition and thought, “Okay… I’m confident. I’m confident. I’m confident,” while your body is screaming, “We’re absolutely not confident!” Meanwhile, casting directors are looking at you like, “Are they… are they okay?” Confidence is one of those weird acting ingredients you can’t fake, can’t force, but absolutely need— even though most actors have no idea what real co...

You ever notice that actors can make anything stressful? Audition? Stressful. Callback? Stressful. Self-tape? Stressful. Meeting someone who might know someone in the industry? Oh, that’s a full-blown cardio event. Actors are the only people who can turn reading two pages of dialogue in their own living room into a scene from “Mission Impossible.” Meanwhile, your acting career just left you a voic...

Today’s episode is part pep-talk, part reality check, and part comedic intervention. Actors obsess over getting it right — especially on self-tapes. You know this. You’ve lived this. But here’s the kicker: Casting directors aren’t looking for perfect. We’re looking for alive. So today, we’re going to shatter the myth of the perfect take, unpack how perfectionism sabotages your work, and give you a...

First Impressions in a Digital World When your self-tape hits my inbox, it’s your first — and sometimes only — chance to make an impression. Before I even hit play, I’ve already learned something about you from your file name, your slate, your frame, your lighting. That’s right — your tape speaks volumes before you do. Find out how in this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Welcome to Casting Actors Cast, where we turn good intentions into great auditions. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and today, your guide through one of my favorite acting truths: stop trying to be good. Be specific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Do Casting Directors REALLY Remember about You  “Hey there, actor friends! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast that helps you prepare smarter, act better, and book more. I’m your host, Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and your friendly guide through the wonderful, weird, and sometimes wobbly world of show business.” “Today’s episode is one I think you’ll really appr...