"What exactly makes an actor castable?"
That’s easy, right? An Actor who is talented and can act whatever part they are given.
Uhmm…not exactly. Talent will always win out in the end,
so keep working out those acting muscles in classes and workshops,
but just being talented rarely get you in the door.
"So, what does open doors?"
Agents, managers, casting directors, directors, and producers need to be able to look at you,
or your headshot, or your reel and know:
-that you are castable before they even decide to bring you in for an audition or meeting.
-who you are, your type and brand, and exactly what they can do with you
-that you are a marketable commodity. That your look and how you present yourself is indeed marketable.
-simply put…they need to “get” you.
Qualities of The Castable Actor
-Knowledge. The actor that is not only castable, but also capable of building a career, is one who understands the business of this industry. Film and TV is so much more than red carpets, premiers, and huge paychecks. The Castable Actor is one who can pull back the illusion and magic of acting to reveal a job with rules and parameters like any other profession.
-Self-Awareness. Knowing who you are and how you fit in this industry is the first and most important step to becoming castable. This actor is capable of seeing themselves the way the industry views them. The actor is aware of their specific Type, Brand, and Marketability and presents themselves within the parameters of each.
-Presentation. You know who you are, how you fit in, and the roles you can be playing today. Now you need to start presenting yourself in that light. This is a visual business…look the part, and you will be asked to ask to act it. The castable actor dresses the essence of his/her true marketability.
-Packaging. Understanding the importance of Packaging separates the actor who is castable from the part-time “I think I want to act if I don’t really have to do anything” actor. It is bringing everything together in a recognizable, branded, individualized package, including you, your image and presence and all marketing materials: headshots, reel, postcards, website, web series, etc.
-Image Maintenance. Once you figure out who you are, and how to best package yourself and your brand to remain castable, you need to learn how to maintain and alter those aspects, while always staying true to yourself, in an ever-changing industry.
-Flexibility. Being flexible is a great quality of the Castable Actor. Not only do you need to be able to “Yes and…” in the acting arena, you should be as open to changing your image, look, dress, branding, etc. in order to constantly present the best, most marketable, you.
-Acknowledging Limitations. No, you can’t do everything, no matter what your mother told you, but you can be you better than anyone else. Becoming the best at doing what you do within your own limitations not only creates a Castable Actor, it creates a memorable actor.
-Confidence not Cockiness. Confidence is an attractive attribute. A Castable Actor is one who knows who he/she is and more importantly, owns it…warts and all. Cockiness is just a cover-up for insecurities and no one wants a cocky, insecure actor on set.
-Goal Setting. Start thinking about your acting career from today plus five years. Let go of who you were or what you did in the past. That year you booked a couple jobs, or that month your hair looked amazing, sure, they were great, but the Castable Actor is far too busy to stay in the past. Look to where you want to be and set realistic honest and specific goals to get you there.
-Self-Awareness. Knowing who you are and how you fit in this industry is the first and most important step to becoming castable. This actor is capable of seeing themselves the way the industry views them. The actor is aware of their specific Type, Brand, and Marketability and presents themselves within the parameters of each.
-Presentation. You know who you are, how you fit in, and the roles you can be playing today. Now you need to start presenting yourself in that light. This is a visual business…look the part, and you will be asked to ask to act it. The castable actor dresses the essence of his/her true marketability.
-Packaging. Understanding the importance of Packaging separates the actor who is castable from the part-time “I think I want to act if I don’t really have to do anything” actor. It is bringing everything together in a recognizable, branded, individualized package, including you, your image and presence and all marketing materials: headshots, reel, postcards, website, web series, etc.
-Image Maintenance. Once you figure out who you are, and how to best package yourself and your brand to remain castable, you need to learn how to maintain and alter those aspects, while always staying true to yourself, in an ever-changing industry.
-Flexibility. Being flexible is a great quality of the Castable Actor. Not only do you need to be able to “Yes and…” in the acting arena, you should be as open to changing your image, look, dress, branding, etc. in order to constantly present the best, most marketable, you.
-Acknowledging Limitations. No, you can’t do everything, no matter what your mother told you, but you can be you better than anyone else. Becoming the best at doing what you do within your own limitations not only creates a Castable Actor, it creates a memorable actor.
-Confidence not Cockiness. Confidence is an attractive attribute. A Castable Actor is one who knows who he/she is and more importantly, owns it…warts and all. Cockiness is just a cover-up for insecurities and no one wants a cocky, insecure actor on set.
-Goal Setting. Start thinking about your acting career from today plus five years. Let go of who you were or what you did in the past. That year you booked a couple jobs, or that month your hair looked amazing, sure, they were great, but the Castable Actor is far too busy to stay in the past. Look to where you want to be and set realistic honest and specific goals to get you there.
I developed The Castable Actor to help actors better understand these qualities;
to help them find their places in the business;
to teach actors to expand how they view the industry;
and more importantly, how to look at themselves the way the industry sees them.
I invite you along on the journey, to take a seminar or workshop if you can,
read the articles, and incorporate the information into your own acting life.
Along the way you’ll acquire the keys you need to get in the door…
not only for an audition or two, but if you’ve got the talent to back it up,
The Castable Actor could lead you through the door to a successful career.
- Tom Burke
to help them find their places in the business;
to teach actors to expand how they view the industry;
and more importantly, how to look at themselves the way the industry sees them.
I invite you along on the journey, to take a seminar or workshop if you can,
read the articles, and incorporate the information into your own acting life.
Along the way you’ll acquire the keys you need to get in the door…
not only for an audition or two, but if you’ve got the talent to back it up,
The Castable Actor could lead you through the door to a successful career.
- Tom Burke