This may seem a little odd, but I’ve been asked to post this edition of POV without attribution. Don’t worry; it does in fact come from a working casting associate in a very busy LA-based episodic television casting office. But the contributor asked to remain anonymous in an attempt to get the word “out there” about how actors could make her job a little easier while not having folks go out of the way to approach her differently. She’d like to see actors treating all casting associates with a little more respect and consideration!
Make a Casting Associate’s Life Easier
What can you do to make our lives easier? What a strange and wonderful question! More often, we are asked by actors what they can do to make their audition process easier, or how they can make this a less painful experience. Our typical responses are, “Take a deep breath,” or, “You should know that I am really not that scary,” and even, “Don’t think, just do.” All wonderful answers, if I do say so myself. However, we have never been asked, “What can we do for you?” So, if you are really asking, we are really telling.
Rule Number 1: Be respectful of our workspace. Our desks are just that, OUR desks. They are not your desks, nor do they contain free-to-the-public supplies. We have all encountered this strange phenomenon numerous times and continue to be shocked each time: actors rifling through, on, and even in our desks. This is a clear violation of our privacy. Why would anyone think it’s acceptable to go into another person’s desk? This has even happened to us while we have been sitting there. Are we invisible? Would it be completely absurd to ask someone for whatever it is you need? We respond to these invaders with, “Can I help you?” or, “Whatever it is you need, I promise it’s not in my desk.” Incredulously, we have never received a straight answer from an offender. Instead, he or she has looked at us as if we are the trespassers. They have muttered words under their breath, which we have taken as an apology, but we have never been given an explanation. Perhaps you can shed some light on this.
Rule Number 2: Please clean up after yourselves. We did not give birth to you, nor did we raise you. We don’t even work for you. Accordingly, you should not expect us to clean up after you. We are always amazed by the general disarray and the clutter that actors leave in our waiting room. I personally cannot recall a single audition after which I have not been forced to discard your empty water cups, cans of soda, and old sides. There is a trashcan. Please use it. This wastebasket will accept trash from all people. It does not require a secret password or fancy trick in order to use it. If it is full, please notify one of us and we will make arrangements for it to be properly emptied.
Rule Number 3: Please respect our privacy and personal lives. We, like you, are not always working, or “on call.” In fact, we cannot think of any professional who is continuously “on call.” By way of example, we all know that doctors and lawyers may work long hours for periods of time. However, they too take time off from the job. As actors, you are not always working, are you? Accordingly, if you see us out on the town, or in a restaurant, or at a party, or even in the gym, please do not assume that we wish to discuss your next project. Do not assume that when you meet a casting director at a party, she wants to give you helpful audition points or steer you in the direction of a great manager or agent. She may just be hanging out at the party actually hoping to talk about something as mundane as the weather. If seeing us triggers something in your mind that you need to share, please call us at the office the next day or even call the office line that night to leave a message. We will return your call. In return, we will refrain from approaching you while you are enjoying your personal time. Please do not misinterpret these comments. We love what we do, we love working with actors and do not wish to change that. Like you, we have all worked very hard to get where we are and are planning on staying here for a very long time. However, sometimes we need a break from thinking, breathing, and talking casting and acting.
So there you go, three simple ways for you to help us.
All righty, then! Simple indeed! For me (with regard to Rule Number 3), a lot of this is a matter of being able to read the room, the people, and the situations. I actually don’t mind doing a little networking during what should or could be seen as purely social events, as long as the lead-off is along the lines of, “Hey, I know you’re trying to relax, but I was wondering if I could ask you about an agent,” and there’s an appropriate amount of acknowledgement that I don’t have to engage in this conversation and that it is, indeed, a favor you’re asking of me. The problem is, a lot of folks aren’t that great at reading the room and picking up the vibe for that little, “Yeah, it’s okay,” coming from the other person. From what I’ve observed, though, if you’re the type of person who’s concerned about crossing the line, you’re probably not gonna cross it.
This contribution originally ran at Bonnie Gillespie’s online column on July 15, 2007.