Patrick Baca, one half of a partnership [with Robin Nassif] in Nassif Baca Casting has cast many MOWs, feature films, and pilots. The following information came from his appearance on a casting panel hosted by the Talent Managers Association at Los Angeles City College.
Key Things He Looks for in an Actor
Preparedness. “It’s not always what you do with a line. It’s the wonderful stuff between the lines that writers can’t write but actors can bring to it, the quiet background work. It’s unforgivable if you come in unprepared, winging it. That’s not going to get you the job.”
“Make a strong choice. I’m more apt to direct you if you go with a good, thought-out choice, than if you play it safe and stay right down the middle,” Baca explained.
Advice for Actors
“Include your service number [on your resume]. If I kept your headshot from a play I saw you in three years ago, you may not be with that agent anymore, but your service number could help me find you. And you wouldn’t know to let me know you’ve changed representation if you don’t even know I’m a fan of yours. Also, stay in contact with the agency departments at SAG, AFTRA, and AEA. When I think of you and can’t remember who you’re represented by, that’s where I can go to get that information. Be findable. The agency department is a resource I use every day.”
Baca made it clear that he is happy to see non-union and non-represented actors. What he is not happy to see is the high-maintenance actor. If you’re going to be a lot of work for him in the audition, he knows you’ll be a lot of work for the cast and crew on the set. “I’ve had to discourage the hiring of high-maintenance actors,” he said.
Pet Peeves
In addition to having a low tolerance for actors who show up unprepared and without headshots and resumes in hand, Baca mentioned disdain for crossing-the-line audition tactics. “I’ve been slapped,” he exclaimed. “I’m totally there for the actors, but if you’re going to slap me, get my permission first!”
His Opinion on Alternative Submission Methods
“Online casting is the wave of the future. I regularly use IMDB and the Academy Players Directory online. I think the tech-friendly younger casting directors will cause it to take off,” Baca speculated. He added that the current climate has influenced the move toward high-tech casting. “Especially today, in the Anthrax world, that’s the case. Casting directors at Sony aren’t opening unsolicited mail right now. That’s a strong push for online submissions.”
Baca is a fan of seeing work on demo reels, but he has a qualifier. “Put your best stuff at the beginning of the reel. And keep the whole thing under three minutes.”
In addition to seeing a demo reel, Baca may see you at a workshop. “I do workshops because I love to teach, to give something back,” he explained.
What He Would Change About the Casting Process
Timing. “When I was casting an MTV pilot, I had to see the whole town. We had six to eight weeks to cast, and saw 30 to 40 people a day every day. A MOW is limited. We’ll get maybe three weeks to cast it.”
Trends He Has Noticed in the Casting Process
Diversity. “I’ll sit with the director to find his vision for the roles and what his parameters are, how flexible they are with the way writers have written the roles. I try to go in and add color. I make that a part of my process before we even go to Breakdowns,” he explained.
“People will submit ethnicities that aren’t mentioned in the breakdown and I think it’s great. Terrific.”
His Opinion on Agency Relationships
“I like the small, boutique agencies. They’re more efficient, more creative, and more willing to help. The biggest godsend when a big agency is involved is learning that a personal manager is also involved. Talking to the manager is like talking to an actor’s wife. It’s personal.”
How does the name on the envelope influence Baca? “As for submissions, it goes: agency, manager, individual actor submissions. I open envelopes in that order.”
And once he’s opened that envelope? “Your credits, your photograph, and your representation: that’s why I’ll bring you in.” And training? “Training doesn’t make that decision [to call an actor in] for me.”
The Talent Managers Association Symposium “Casting from A to Z” panel took place on November 3, 2001, at LACC and this excerpt originally appeared in Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews by Bonnie Gillespie, available at Amazon.