Still no 'Best Casting By' award at the Academy Awards

Why don't casting directors have a category for "Best Casting By" at the Academy Awards? To comprehend this issue, you have to have a deep understanding of how the casting process works. Casting directors are contracted by production companies and/or studios to cast specific projects. The casting directors (and their associate casting directors and assistants) filter through massive amounts of submissions for specific roles, mainly through talent agents. The casting directors then audition actors for the specific roles being cast. They then choose what actors that they personally deem "right for the role", at their discretion, and they subsequently advance those actors to a "call back", to audition for the director, writer(s), producers, and for major roles.. the studio executives. Eventually, the right actor for the role is hired. The actor is not hired directly by the casting director, but rather the director/production company/studio. Other than for small speaking roles on TV series, the casting director does not have the ability to hire actors, they simply select a certain group of actors to advance in the casting process. I am not talking about extras. Extras are cast directly by Extras Casting Directors/Companies. For there to be an Academy Award category for principal actor casting directors, the voting members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences would have to be able to see all of the hundreds (and even thousands) of actor's auditions for each role by the "Best Casting By" nominee, to be able to judge whether or not each casting director nominee did the best job. And just to narrow down the casting nominees, there would have to be a massive amount of that material available to the Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences nominating committee. That is a logistical impossibility. Directors, producers, writers, and studio executives have the final say in who is cast in specific roles, not casting directors. The best casting directors do a great job, and they have a great collaboration with those who do hire the actors, however there is no definitive way to establish a criteria for an Academy Award category for "Best Casting By". I can elaborate much more about the casting process, however that would require much more than I can post here, it would be a complete eBook. I do want to elaborate about why casting directors are never credited in films as a Casting "Director", but rather credited as "Casting By". The Directors Guild of America does not allow, by contract, any other persons on a film being credited with the word "Director", unless they are actually a "director" i.e. 1st AD (First Assistant Director, etc). That includes the Cinematographer (widely called "DP" or "Director of Photography" on the set). Casting directors are some of the hardest working people in the entertainment industry, but there you go, that is why there is no Oscar Award category for "Best Casting By".

2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook is now available!

The brand new 2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook is now available! This is the 22nd location in the series, and the eBook contains the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive resources available for actors in Ontario, Canada. There is now a very large amount of major studio feature films and network television series in production in Toronto. The Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook includes the following information and documents for adults, minors, and foreign talent who would like to work as an actor or extra on film and television productions in Toronto, Ontario and in Canada:

• Toronto Casting Directors
• Toronto Extras Casting Directors
• Toronto Talent Agents
• Toronto Acting Schools and Coaches
• Toronto Headshot Photographers
• General Talent Agent Information
• Miscellaneous Toronto Actor Resources
• Audition Tips
• How to make an Audition Video
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letter Casting Directors
• Sample Cover Letter Talent Agents
• Glossary of Entertainment Industry Terms
• Canadian Work Permit Overview
• Applying for a Work Permit outside Canada
• Canada Work Permit Information for Foreigners
• Canadian Document Checklist for a Work Permit
• Temporary Canadian Foreign Worker Program
• Canadian Application for Temporary Resident VISA
• Canadian Visa Photo Specifications
• Information for Parents of Child Performers
• Canadian Family Information Form
• Canadian Use of a Representative Form
• Guide To Canadian Child Labor Laws

You can now order your copy of the 2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook for $19.95 through Amazon Payments at the following - http://www.actorsresourceguides.com/toronto-actors-resource-guide-ebook.html

You can also now order using Square Cash (https://cash.me). My email address to send your payment through Square Cash is alan.baltes@gmail.com and my Square Cash username is $AlanBaltes. Simply enter "TORONTO" and your EMAIL ADDRESS in the "FOR" box when sending the $19.95 payment. I can also send a $19.95 payment request if you give me your email address or cell phone number. Contact me at alan.baltes@gmail.com if you would prefer a payment request with a link that you can use to pay.

Once payment is received, your eBook will be emailed to you.

CBS Daytime Diversity Initiative seeking actors of color for daytime dramas

The CBS Daytime Diversity Initiative accepts submissions each June.

AB Media Publishing, LLC

The VP of Casting at CBS Television is accepting submissions from diverse talent, specifically actors of color, to participate in the CBS Diversity Institute and Casting program. This is an extension of CBS Diversity's ongoing talent showcase initiatives. Talent who become candidates will be pre-screened by the casting executives at CBS, and subsequently the casting directors for "The Young and The Restless" and "The Bold and The Beautiful" will audition the actors on a regular basis for various roles on the shows.

Josie Thomas, who formerly served as Vice President, Business Affairs for CBS News, is now the Senior Vice President, Diversity, CBS Television. In regards to the CBS Daytime Diversity Initiative Thomas stated, "Diversity requires action and we see this as a very intentional way of bringing attention to diverse actors and continuing to open doors to the most successful daytime franchises in history with this new and additional avenue of access". Ms. Thomas is responsible for the creation and execution of initiatives designed to improve outreach and recruitment, hiring, promotion, and mentoring practices, as well as developing new ways of increasing representation of minorities and women in management and non-management positions. CBS has undertaken a new and unprecedented initiative to enhance access for diverse actors who are 18 years and over to the talent pool for the network's daytime dramas.

CBS Daytime Diversity Initiative Submissions

Diverse actors of color can submit a headshot and resume directly to the VP of Casting at CBS Television for consideration to the Daytime Diversity Initiative program. Talent must be 18 years of age and older as of June, 2013. Submissions are accepted throughout each June every year. Submissions are also being accepted through May, 2013 this year.

Send hardcopy photo/resume to:

Fern Orenstein
CBS Daytime Diversity Initiative
CBS Broadcast Center
4024 Radford Avenue
Studio City, CA 91604

Participation in this initiative is not a guarantee of employment, nor is the initiative intended to displace traditional avenues of access to employment opportunities to all actors, regardless of background. The size of the roles if cast, can range from under-5 lines to larger roles.

The CBS Diversity Institute is a comprehensive program designed to identify and develop diversity within the writing, directing and talent communities. The CBS Diversity Institute includes the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, the CBS Directing Initiative and numerous actor workshops conducted nationwide, as well as writer workshops conducted in Los Angeles.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has been the #1-rated daytime drama for more than 22 years. The show is broadcast weekdays (12:30-1:30 PM, ET; 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, PT) on the CBS Television Network and is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, the 2010 Daytime Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama, is broadcast weekdays (1:30-2:00 PM, ET; 12:30- 1:00 PM, PT) on the CBS Television Network and is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company. The show has taped more than 6,000 episodes in its 24 years on the air and is viewed daily by millions of viewers in more than 100 countries, making it the most-watched dramatic serial in the world.

All talent must be legally eligible to work in the state of California and in the United States.

The 2013 Los Angeles Actors Resource Guide eBook comes with free quarterly updates and includes the following information and documents for adults, minors, and foreign talent who would like to work as an actor or extra on film and television productions in Los Angeles and the United States:

• USA Child Actor Work Permit Requirements
• California Child Actor Permit Application
• California Minors Summary Chart
• Child Actor Coogan Trust Deposit Instructions
• California Division of Labor Standards Offices
• Immigration Work Permit Information
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application

In addition to the following Los Angeles Actors Resources:

• Audition Tips
• How To Make an Audition Video
• Los Angeles Casting Directors List
• Los Angeles Extras Casting Directors List
• Los Angeles Talent Agents List
• General Talent Agent Information
• Los Angeles Acting Classes List
• Acting Classes for Young Actors in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Headshot Photographers List
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Entertainment Industry Terminology
• Miscellaneous Los Angeles Resources
• Actors Unions
• PDF Users Guides

The 2013 Actors Resource Guide eBooks are available here.


Filmmaking Schools

Casting and auditions information for 'General Hospital' in Los Angeles

The ABC daytime drama "General Hospital" is in production and auditions for talent is ongoing year-round. The casting directors accept photos and resumes from AFTRA members in good standing who are reliable, and familiar with daytime drama protocol. General Hospital is taped and broadcast in high definition at ABC Prospect Studios in Hollywood.

General Hospital became the oldest American soap opera on September 17, 2010, when As the World Turns ended. On April 14, 2011, ABC announced the cancellation of both All My Children and One Life to Live, leaving General Hospital as the only soap opera airing on the network after January 2012.

Principal Actor Casting:

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Mark Teschner
c/o Prospect Studios
4151 Prospect Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Under-Five and Extras Casting:

Gwen Hillier
c/o Prospect Studios
4151 Prospect Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Production Company:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

American Broadcasting Company
500 S Buena Vista St
Burbank, CA 91521-4551

Producers:

Frank Valentini
Robert Guza Jr.
Mary O'Leary
Michelle Henry

Directors:

Scott McKinsey
William Ludel
Owen Renfroe
Phideaux Xavier

Starring:

Bradford Anderson - Damien Spinelli
Brandon Barash - Johnny Zacchara
Maurice Benard - Sonny Corinthos
Julie Marie Berman - Lulu Spencer
Sean Blakemore - Shawn Butler
Steve Burton - Jason Morgan
Nathin Butler - Dr. Ewen Keenan
Jason Cook - Dr. Matt Hunter
Chad Duell - Michael Corinthos
Jane Elliot - Tracy Quartermaine
Anthony Geary - Luke Spencer
Nancy Lee Grahn - Alexis Davis
Rebecca Herbst - Elizabeth Webber
John Ingle - Edward Quartermaine
Kodi Kitchen - Dr. Maggie Wurth
Lisa LoCicero - Olivia Falconeri
Kimberly McCullough - Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake
Kelly Monaco - Sam Morgan
Nathan Parsons - Ethan Lovett
Scott Reeves - Dr. Steven Webber
Kirsten Storms - Maxie Jones
Kelly Sullivan - Kate Howard
Jason Thompson - Dr. Patrick Drake
Laura Wright - Carly Benson
John J. York - Mac Scorpio
Dominic Zamprogna- Dante Falconeri

Story:

The series is set in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York. Port Charles is a midsized to large city located in Upstate New York. Contained within the city are popular establishments such as General Hospital, the large hospital for which the show is named; the Metro Court Hotel, a five star, luxury inn; Kelly's Diner, a popular, vintage-type diner; Jake's, a popular bar in Old Town run by Coleman. Prominent citizens include the Quartermaines, the Cassadines, Sonny Corinthos, Jason Morgan, Patrick Drake, Robin Scorpio, Jasper Jacks, Alexis Davis, Sam McCall,and Carly Corinthos Jacks.

NBC daytime soap opera 'Days of our Lives' auditions and casting information for actors and extras

The second longest-running scripted television program on television in the United States is the NBC's "Days of Our Lives". The principal actor and under-fives casting director regularly auditions talent in Los Angeles for roles ranging from contracted series regulars to small under-5 lines day players. The extras casting director casts extras on a daily basis year round.

On November 8, 2010, Days of our Lives celebrated its 45th year anniversary and was given a two-year renewal by NBC through September 2013 with an option for a renewal through 2014. That same day the show began airing in high-definition. The show began in 1965 as a 1/2 hour program, and has been a 60 minute show since April 21, 1975.

"Days of Our Lives" began production being taped at the NBC Studios in Burbank, CA in sound stage 9. In 1983 the show moved to Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood adjacent to the sound stage for ABC's "General Hospital". Then in 1989 "Days" packed up and moved back to NBC Burbank - this time in sound stages 2 and 4, where it continues to be taped today.

Days of our Lives is the second longest-running scripted television program in the United States after General Hospital. It is the fourth longest running in the world and has the largest amount of surviving episodes among episodic programs worldwide.

The show is under AFTRA contract. Actors and extras please put your AFTRA membership number on your resume. Talent can join AFTRA online at www.aftra.org or at their Hollywood branch:

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
9th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 634-8200

Current costs to join AFTRA:

$1663.90 ($1600.00 + $63.90), covering initiation fee and the first payment of bi-annual dues.

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Principal Actor and Five Lines or Less Casting:

Marnie Saitta
3400 W. Olive Avenue
Suite 170
Burbank, CA 91505

Extras Casting:

Jason Looney
3400 W. Olive Avenue
Suite 170
Burbank, CA 91505
Extras On-line Submissions: castingdool@gmail.com

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end up in the trash can), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Corday Productions
3400 W. Olive Avenue
Suite 170
Burbank, CA 91505

Sony Pictures Television
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

Taping Location:

NBC Burbank
3400 W. Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505

Executive Producers:

Ken Corday
Gary Tomlin
Noel Maxam
Mary-Kelly Weir

Directors:

Phil Sogard
Herb Stein
Albert Alarr
Roy B. Steinberg
Roger Inman
Grant A. Johnson
Noel Maxam

Starring:

Kristian Alfonso - Hope Brady
Matthew Ashford - Jack Deveraux
Melissa Reeves - Jennifer Horton Deveraux
James Reynolds - Abe Carver
Alison Sweeney - Sami Brady
John Aniston - Victor Kiriakis
Camila Banus - Gabi Hernandez
Sarah Brown - Madison James
Molly Burnett - Melanie Jonas
Shawn Christian - Dr. Daniel Jonas
Christie Clark - Carrie Brady Reed
Casey Jon Deidrick - Chad DiMera
Bren Foster - Quinn Hudson
Galen Gering - Rafe Hernandez
Drake Hogestyn - John Black
Renée Jones - Dr. Lexie Carver
Lauren Koslow - Kate Roberts DiMera
Kate Mansi - Abigail Deveraux
Eric Martsolf - Brady Black
Joseph Mascolo - Stefano DiMera
Chandler Massey - Will Horton
Peggy McCay - Caroline Brady
Patrick Muldoon - Austin Reed
Peter Reckell - Bo Brady
Suzanne Rogers - Maggie Horton
James Scott - E.J. DiMera
Freddie Smith - Jackson "Sonny" Kiriakis
Josh Taylor - Roman Brady
Arianne Zucker - Nicole Walker DiMera
Deidre Hall - Marlena Evans

Story:

When Days of our Lives premiered in 1965, the show revolved around the tragedies and triumphs of the suburban Horton family. Over time, additional families were brought to the show to interact with the Hortons and serve as springboards for more dramatic storylines. Originally led by patriarch Dr. Tom Horton and his wife, homemaker Alice, the Hortons remain a prominent fixture in current continuity.

The Days of our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of our Lives