Confessions of a Casting Director: Help Actors Land Any Role with Secrets from Inside the Audition Room

by Jen Rudin

A must-have for any aspiring actor, this definitive guide to breaking into film, television, and theater from a former Disney casting executive will demystify the often intimidating, opaque, and constantly-changing audition process

Longtime casting director and studio executive Jen Rudin decided to write this book to answer the questions she is constantly hearing from aspiring actors: Do I need an agent? How do I nail an audition? Are classes or degrees important? How do I build my performing arts resume? Now, for the first time, Rudin answers all of these questions and many more in this authoritative, comprehensive guide on how to succeed in the film, television, and theater businesses.

Packed with information that aspiring actors clamor for, this up-to-the-minute advice from a true expert is essential for anyone who has ever considered pursuing an acting career. A sampling of topics covered include: how to find an agent or manager; detailed audition preparation tips for musical theater, television (including commercials and reality TV) and film, voiceovers, and animated movies; using technology to your advantage; the demanding world of child acting and how parents can help their children thrive; the pros and cons of living in New York versus LA; and how to turn a call-back into an offer for the role.

There is no formula for fame or stardom, but there are plenty of do's and don'ts, sure-fire tricks, and essential information that an actor should never walk into an audition room without. Filled with checklists, practical instruction and easy-to-follow game plans, and advice from real actors, agents, and casting directors, Confessions of a Casting Director will help actors feel confident taking on the unpredictable and always-evolving world of show business.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Theatre

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2013

About the author

Jen Rudin is an Award-Wining Casting Director who grew up in New York City and began her professional acting career at age eight. She created many new roles in new plays, starred in several television movies, and did commercials. At age twelve, she had her first epiphany at a final callback that she wanted to be a Casting Director – a perfect blend of her photographic memory and love of actors. Her casting philosophy combines the challenge of solving the casting puzzle – who is best for the role? – while creating an honest, positive and comfortable audition environment, in what is often the most stressful of situations. In early 2014, Harper Collins will publish her book Confessions of a Casting Director.
Jen spent seven years as a Casting Executive at The Walt Disney Company. From 2002-2007, Jennifer served as head of casting for Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California and she won the 2006 Artios Award for casting Chicken Little and the 2010 Artios Award for The Princess and the Frog. From 2007-2009, she served as Director of Casting and Talent Development for Disney Theatrical Productions in New York City. Additional animated movies Meet the Robinsons (2007 Artios Nomination), The Wild (2006 Artios nomination), Academy Award Winning film The Incredibles, Academy Award nominated Brother Bear, Heroes, Savva. In Los Angeles, Jennifer cast the Los Angeles premiere of Jason Robert Brown’s musical “13”, winner of the 2008 LA Drama Critics Circle Award.
Recent New York casting projects include the following films: Mama (Guillermo del Toro, producer), The Lorax (Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment), Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie (Walt Disney Pictures), and Peter Bogdanovich’s Squirrels to the Nuts. TV pilots include NY Casting for numerous pilots including “Locke and Key” and “Touch” starring Kiefer Sutherland for Fox. Jen has also cast hundreds of national television commercials; including the famous “Can you hear me now?” campaign for Verizon and currently casts the voices for the World of War Craft video game and Nick Jr.’s animated series Peter Rabbit.
Jen has held faculty positions at Pace University and taught Master Classes at NYU, Boston Conservatory, Northwestern University, Emerson College, Webster University, Baylor University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, The New York Film Academy and University of the Arts. She continues to lecture and teaches numerous Casting and Audition workshops around New York City and the country. Jen is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a past Board Member for the Casting Society of America. In her spare time, she is an avid bicyclist and a frequent contributing writer to The Jewish Week. For more info, visit www.jenrudin.com or email Jen@jenrudin.com.

Reviews

[MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have often fantasized about being an actor, I find the entertainment industry more fascinating than I should probably admit, and I genuinely enjoy listening to people talk about their jobs, so this book seemed like a no-brainer for me. And I learned a lot from it.

One of the things I learned is that I am surely better off fantasizing about being an actor than actually trying to be one (or to be a parent of one). It takes a lot of work. Ms. Rudin is very explicit and helpful in explaining what needs to be done (and how much it is likely to cost!) and it is so much more than I ever expected! I love this quote from the chapter on being a stage mom: "Tour life and an often-changing hotel room are hardly a vacation. When a hotel has a pool everyone has fun. When a hotel has bedbugs they do not."

A large part of the book is about auditions. She says auditions are like job interviews. Conducting job interviews is something I do have experience in and Ms. Rudin's advice for auditions matches very well with my experience interviewing for other kinds of work, except it is specific to acting. I chuckled however upon reading: "Remember to always proofread your cover letters. There's nothing more unprofessional then [sic] typing the wrong name or agency in the letter..." (I received a free advance reading copy from Goodreads so this is likely to be corrected in the final version.)

She also covers voice work and YouTube. Darn, even those require way more preparation, expense, and commitment than I'd ever have guessed! The book goes into a level of detail that certainly scared me off but that could be really helpful to someone with the drive and commitment to go for it.

The book contains many many sidebars with advice and anecdotes from other people too. A few names, I recognized, but most I did not.. So that kind of taught me that even people who manage to succeed at acting don't necessarily become celebrities.

This book was a real eye-opener for me. I'm not sure it will help an actor land any role, as stated in the title (in fact, she discourages actors from auditioning for roles they are not suited for), but I think it would be a good investment for those who seriously want to give acting a go. And makes people like me feel they did the right thing by going in a different direction and just reading about this world.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for those wanting to get themselves or children into the industry. There's a lot on professional etiquette and what will kill your audition. Look out for a full review for AliveontheShelves.com in the near future.

[GoArmyBeatNavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Included some very interesting tips for aspiring actors. I liked the wide variety of suggestions.

[Alex Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t read this book for its intended purpose, an actors guide, but rather as part of research about casting, therefore I was naturally not going to get the full benefit of Rudin’s work. For my own purpose, this book was useful and as a read, it was interesting. It covered a few different mediums in a fair amount of detail and included anecdotes that helped to keep the tone light. However, as the entertainment industry is ever changing, especially in light of Covid, it has become somewhat outdated at times. As an actors guide to auditions, I’m sure there are things to be learnt from this book but I would be weary that it won’t all be accurate anymore.

[Ken Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author writes this book as a mix between her personal experience and suggestions on do's and don'ts in the acting industry. The book is well formatted so the reader may concentrate on specific context only and bypass testimonial stories if they choose.
Very helpful and recommended.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides valuable insights into breaking into film, television, theater, and YouTube. The author is a seasoned casting director and studio executive of many shows, like Sesame Street. She shares her experiences with the casting process, discusses the shows she has worked on, reveals her casting priorities, and offers insider tips for audition preparation. The book covers various topics, from auditioning and role acceptance to securing a manager and everything in between.

I thought the chapters were well-organized, covering various relevant subjects. I enjoyed including anecdotes from the author's experiences and interviews with authors and other industry professionals, which added context. The book also includes additional resources to further assist readers in exploring opportunities in the entertainment industry, the do's and don'ts of social media, and other tips on creating taped auditions. This book, including parents, is for anyone trying to break into the industry.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...

[Mariette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely valuable tool for budding actors, stage parents, and recent BFA graduates. Read this book along with Matt Newton’s, NO B.S. Guide to the Acting Biz, to understand the industry, gain insights on NYC v LA, learn the mediums (TV, Film, Theater, Musicals and Commercials), and so much more! Also, Jen has a podcast!

[Rebecca Casselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a theatre professional diving into the film and television disciplines, I found Rudin's book to be practical and direct. Topics are broken down logistically, making it a great read for seasoned actors as well as newbies. If you're serious about working, then I highly recommend adding this valuable resource to your collection. When it's about the work, it shows.

[Jacksyn Toppenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing source for every type of young actor! You learn from how to book a role, to get an agent and even when to live to pursue your acting dreams. Everyone who aspires to do something in show-business will take away something very special from this book!

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good if you don’t know anything about becoming an actor and are interested in learning more about what it entails. However, if you’ve been in entertainment for a while, you won’t learn many new things.

[Meaghan Beese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential if you want to be a professional actor. A great mix of practical advice, humor, celebrity testimonials, and personal anecdotes about Jen's time on both sides of the table. It also makes for a wonderful companion to her delightful and insightful podcast.

[Timothy Kandra]

Went in thinking this was a book about casting (since my Casting professor recommended it). What I got was a book aimed at actors for auditioning. I'm not an actor, so a lot of these stories were cringy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I am not an actor (working or aspiring) but I thought this was an interesting peek behind the curtain.

[MaryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with a lot of advice and tips found in lots of other acting, auditioning, or casting books, what elevates this book is the concise and straightforward way it is presented.

[Susie]

I clicked a wrong button on my Nook and bought this instead of what I actually had intended. Surprisingly interesting!

[Vhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A always-keep-with-you book for actors. This is also the book that got me into reading so that tells you about how gripping and well written the first few pages must be

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm fascinated by all things "show business" and this book was right up my alley. Very easy to read and full of practical guidance.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful insight into being prepared for any job, really.

[Dean Marino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-made, informative, and a great introduction to those who are looking for guidance.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent choice for the serious actor

Wow. So many gems in this book! As a voice actress based outside of LA, I wasn't sure that much of the material might apply to me. Boy, was I delightfully wrong. Jen writes with a candid honesty and humor--through celebrity testimonials about breaking into the industry and her own personal (occasionally embarrassing) stories of good auditions gone bad. Many times over, I found myself giggling, visibly nodding (on the plane), and frantically highlighting gem after entertaining gem. Rudin even shares her own personal challenges with initially making the transition as a native New Yorker to LA, and carefully explores the differences between being a working actor on either coast. Most importantly, she stresses the importance of maintaining (and improving) one's "good name"--and better yet, provides essential tools to accomplish just that. Highly recommended reading for any serious actor who wants to treat their career with the respect it deserves.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acting is the road not taken for me. I so enjoyed getting to take a journey down that road with Jen and think about what that life might have been like, and what it would have taken. The book is a great "how-to" with lots of fun stories and lessons along the way. I highly recommend it for any aspiring actor or stage parent!

[Court · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful perspective of casting both for onstage & film!