EP 109: Harriet Greenspan, Hollywood Casting Director

04/16/20 • 83 min

Hometown To Hollywood w/ Bonnie J Wallace

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My guest on this episode of the Hometown to Hollywood Podcast is Los Angeles casting director Harriet Greenspan.

Harriet has six Artios Award nominations by the Casting Society of America, with one win for Outstanding Achievement in Casting. She is the author of the book Auditionology, and also coaches actors and teaches workshops.

Film and TV projects Harriet Greenspan has cast over her three decades-plus career include Knight Squad, Alex & Me, Pure Country, True Jackson V.P., Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures, Unfabulous, Scooby Doo, and Mean Girls 2. She is a member of The Casting Society of America and the National Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Harriet shares some very useful inside information on how the entire casting process works, including different things actors can do to increase their odds of callbacks and bookings.

Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:

“Each actor brings a different tone... so much of who you are is in the role you play.”
“I think that you can’t get enough training.”
“The biggest thing is being grounded. Being real.”
“Take what’s on the page and make it your own. Be creative.”
“We want to see what you can do with that material that’s different than the other 59 people who just left my office.”
“Read the scene over and over again... each time you read it, you see something you didn’t see before.”
“Drama is passion. Drama comes from the heart.”
“Comedy is a rhythm.”
“Don’t chew gum, don’t wear hats, don’t wear sunglasses, don’t use props.”
“Send a few takes of each scene to your agent or manager, and let them choose what they like.”
“Each project is different. Each producer is different. Each role is different. Keep going in, they want to see you because they like you.”
“If this is what you really want, don’t stop.”
“Make sure whatever you put on your resume is accurate.”
“Be yourself. Don’t try to be cool, because being cool is not going to get you the job.”

Follow Harriet Greenspan here:

Website: http://www.harrietgreenspan.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @HarrietGreenspanCSA

Buy her book here:

Auditionology

Become a member! Friends of Hometown to Hollywood get the full version of the interview, plus complete access to my archive—sign up here: https://hometowntohollywood.supportingcast.fm/

(If you’re already a Friend, thanks for your support! Find the latest episode and your podcast feed here: https://hometowntohollywood.supportingcast.fm/subscription/ )

My guest on this episode of the Hometown to Hollywood Podcast is Los Angeles casting director Harriet Greenspan.

Harriet shares some very useful inside information on how the entire casting process works, including different things actors can do to increase their odds of callbacks and bookings.

Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:

“Each actor brings a different tone... so much of who you are is in the role you play.”
“I think that you can’t get enough training.”
“The biggest thing is being grounded. Being real.”
“Take what’s on the page and make it your own. Be creative.”
“We want to see what you can do with that material that’s different than the other 59 people who just left my office.”
“Read the scene over and over again... each time you read it, you see something you didn’t see before.”
“Drama is passion. Drama comes from the heart.”
“Comedy is a rhythm.”
“Don’t chew gum, don’t wear hats, don’t wear sunglasses, don’t use props.”
“Send a few takes of each scene to your agent or manager, and let them choose what they like.”
“Each project is different. Each producer is different. Each role is different. Keep going in, they want to see you because they like you.”
“If this is what you really want, don’t stop.”
“Make sure whatever you put on your resume is accurate.”
“Be yourself. Don’t try to be cool, because being cool is not going to get you the job.”

Follow Harriet Greenspan here:

Website: http://www.harrietgreenspan.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @HarrietGreenspanCSA

Buy her book here:

Auditionology

Previous Episode

EP 108: Diane Burroughs, TV Writer, Showrunner

Next Episode

EP 110: Haydn Jones, Commercial Talent Agent

Today my guest on the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Haydn Jones. Haydn is head of the Youth Commercial Division at A3 Artists Agency, formerly known as Abrams Artists Agency.

This is the very first Commercial Agent interview on the podcast and I’m so excited to share it with you!

We discuss how actors can get started in the industry, how to get a commercial agent’s attention, why commercials can be the gateway to an acting career, how commercial casting is different than theatrical casting, what actors can do during the COVID shutdown, and much more.

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Your support allows me to continue to do the work that supports you, and the dreams of your child, or even your own dreams. Thank you!

Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:

“A commercial agent is always trying to piece together someone else’s vision board.”
“This industry grows a youth actor to be ready for many, many aspects and challenges of life.”
“Even when you start kids really young, it’s still a great experience.”
“Acting is behavioral training, it’s a cognitive training, it’s a self-esteem builder.”
“A commercial audition is the biggest room of play. You get to be yourself in front of other people.”
“Auditions are our Olympics.”
“My age categories, and what I’m looking for, changes daily.”
“There’s never a bad time for me to look for potential new clients. Commercials are year-round.”
“Commercial is the stepping-stone into the Theatrical world.”
“Be open to the commercials, because that can begin everything for an actor’s career.”
“Being an actor is a job. It takes a certain discipline. It’s not for everyone, and that’s OK.”

On the COVID-19 shutdown:

“Keep up with your special skills. You should still be practicing every skill in your arsenal.”
“Staying creative is what’s important. It doesn’t have to be memorizing a Shakespearean monologue every day.”
“If you want to write and create your own story, now is the time!”
“Show off your dance moves, recite your poems, and tell your stories.”
“Get really, really good at self-taping. If this is the new normal, then a lot of the auditions will be remote.”

Follow Haydn Jones HERE:

Instagram: @TRIFIREFLY25