Katy Wallin, founder of Katy & Co. Casting, Mystic Arts Pictures, and AIA Actors Studios is proud to wear many hats. In addition to casting, Wallin produced the feature film Finder’s Fee, which won Best Picture at the Seattle International Film Festival as well as Best Screenplay at Method Fest.
None of these successes, however, compares with the joy Wallin exudes when talking about the love of her life, the baby boy sleeping in the next room.
First Casting Job
Assistant to Cathy Henderson. “We did a movie called I Don’t Buy Kisses Anymore starring Jason Alexander and Nia Peeples,” Wallin recalled. “Cathy loves actors. I learned so much from her. Cathy inspired me to pursue a career in casting,” Wallin exclaimed.
Before that casting job, however, Wallin pounded the pavement, looking for any job in the business. “I moved here, and went door-to-door with my resume. I was here from Oregon, straight out of college,” she explained. An executive overheard Wallin being treated rudely by a receptionist at the end of an ego-bruising day. Right then, she was hired to replace that woman. “After three weeks, I was promoted to the talent department for a TV show at CBS, where I worked on a show for six months. I put in 80 hours a week, made almost no money, and loved every minute of it. At the end of the season, they came in and said, ‘Okay, we’re now on hiatus.’ And I said, ‘Okay, what does that mean?’ And they said, ‘Clean out your desk.’ So I started my own company,” Wallin summarized.
“At 22 I was so naive. I had absolutely no fear,” Wallin explained. In 14 years, Wallin has cast hundreds of commercials and music videos, 500 hours of network television, and 65 movies.
Coolest Casting Gig
Producing and casting Jeff Probst’s Finder’s Fee. “This was an incredible opportunity,” Wallin said of assembling her cast of Erik Palladino, James Earl Jones, Matthew Lillard, Ryan Reynolds, Dash Mihok, Carly Pope, and Robert Forster. “It was the most challenging, most rewarding experience. It was an independent [film], so it was not about the money. It was a passion project. All of these actors were so dedicated to this project,” Wallin revealed.
“We spent two years casting it and the actors had genuine chemistry,” Wallin shared. “I always do a chemistry callback. It’s essential to a good movie.”
Key Things She Looks for in an Actor
“A solid sense of one’s self. An actor who genuinely is positive and feels good about who they are really stands out in a casting room,” Wallin explained. “There’s this unique and magical charisma that, when an actor has it, lights up the entire room. They may not even be right for the role, but there is something so special that often we’ll hire them, and they’re nothing like what we put out in the breakdown.”
Another key thing: Professionalism. “You have to treat an audition like a job. Go in prepared. Be professional. Take that audition seriously.” Wallin added, “If you’re given the opportunity to read the script, read the script.”
Pet Peeves
Props. “I have been burned by a fire-eater, hit in the head with numchucks, had a gun put to my head, knives put to my throat, and have been kissed in a casting session,” Wallin revealed.
Her favorite tale of inappropriate audition behavior? “An actor was auditioning for a role in a film I was casting. He was so into the scene that he head-butted a hole in the wall of the studio. I just sat there, looking at this hole in the wall, questioning what it is that I do for a living. He was fine, despite his headache, and he came back the next day with plaster and paint to fix the hole in the wall.” So, the use of props isn’t Wallin’s only pet peeve.
Advice for Actors
Realize how much you’ve accomplished, just getting to an audition. Wallin advised, “Reward yourself for an audition. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting a job. As an actor, the journey is what it’s all about. Actors have to love and appreciate that process. Embrace the journey.”
“This is a business. Acting is a profession. You need to put a strategic marketing plan in place for yourself. Remember this, above all: you have a unique asset. You are president and CEO of your company, and you have to know how can you best market yourself in this competitive industry and maintain peace and tranquility. You have to have an overall, well-balanced game plan,” Wallin insisted.
Wallin also advised that you find a mentor and create a support group. “You must have emotional, mental, and spiritual stability. Find that stability and balance, whatever that means to you. Don’t put everything into acting. Have a whole world so that you can survive the emotional roller coaster that is this business.”
Her Favorite Audition Tale
Wallin was working with Trey Parker on the feature film Orgazmo. “At auditions, Trey was great. He was so open and receptive. He asked actors a yes or no question, ‘Can you fake an orgasm?’ One actor he asked proceeded to fake one. For ten minutes. I was embarrassed for the camera operator, the reader. An employee here had an ear to the door, trying to figure out what was going on. Trey thought it was great. He loved it. The actor was brave and he did a great job but he didn’t get the part,” Wallin concluded with a laugh.
Her Opinion on Alternative Submission Methods
“I’m sure [Internet casting] works for some casting directors. I’m still a little old fashioned in that I love opening envelopes, laying out the headshots, and matching people up.”
Best Way to Get Seen by Her
Postcards. Wallin elaborated, “I love postcards. I love when actors talk about the work they’re doing so I can look for them on TV or in a film.”
Wallin advised that an actor use postcards as an ongoing marketing tool. “Let me know you’re working. Let me know you’re doing plays. That’s your advertising. Make sure you have a small advertising budget together and use it or else we don’t know what you’re doing. I’ve hired a lot of people from postcards. Don’t send just one. Every time you’re doing something, send one,” she said, “just to keep the industry apprised of your career.”
And theatre? “Since I had my baby, I don’t go to theatre as much as I used to, but you should still get yourself out there. Meet people, gain valuable advice, let people see your work.”
Her Opinion on Casting Director Workshops
Wallin founded AIA Actors Studio. “When I opened my companies, I recognized that the key to this industry was developing and building relationships. As a casting director, I needed to get to know producers, directors, and most importantly, actors. I wanted to provide a warm, nurturing place where people could educate themselves and meet with the various industry professionals. I recognized quite quickly that we were able to bridge the gap between those in front of the camera and those behind it.”
Wallin continued, “We provide an environment where people can be creative, where they can educate themselves, and where they can meet these entertainment professionals. We believe acting is a process and a journey. Part of that process is studying, working on your craft, networking, and marketing yourself. AIA is a resource center that can help you put a strategic marketing plan together and give you resources and information. We’re bringing 14 years of our relationships to you. We provide a platform and an environment where we can bring the industry together.”
“A few people have asked if it’s a conflict of interest, being a CSA casting director, a producer, and owning AIA. I have never felt that anything I am doing is a conflict! In fact, all of my companies share a common goal, and that is to provide an environment where entertainment professionals can come together to achieve their artistic, creative, and business goals. Yes, I founded AIA. Emily Yost, whose background is education, runs the day-to-day operation of the company along with a staff of highly qualified entertainment professionals.”
Bottom line on paying to meet casting directors? “An actor, at least at AIA, is not paying to meet a casting director and audition for a specific role. Actors come here to learn perspective on the business, build powerful relationships with industry professionals, and perform for those casting directors. This is a business and an actor has overhead. Every other business has workshops and seminars to help [people] strengthen their chosen craft and give them the knowledge they need to succeed. AIA meets those needs for actors, casting directors, and other industry professionals,” Wallin summarized.
Highlight of Her Week
“Being able to bring my baby to work. It is one of the reasons that I opened my own business. He’s the love of my life, next to my husband. I talked about this business being a human roller coaster ride. When any day is down, he’s my instant gratification.”
Most Gratifying Part of Her Job
“It’s incredibly creative. I love the challenges that have been presented to me. I turn every obstacle into an opportunity. I love meeting actors and seeing people succeed. That’s exciting. I love seeing people’s hard work pay off.”
This interview was conducted on August 15, 2001, and it originally appeared in Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews by Bonnie Gillespie, available at Amazon.