Casting Actors Cast

Some people can’t even commit to a gym membership for four weeks — and you and I have been meeting here since 2020. Through lockdowns, through self-tape explosions, through new technology disrupting our industry faster than we can say “AI voice clone,” we have been learning together, laughing together, and building the kind of creative courage that keeps actors moving forward. So today isn’t about a new technique or a tough-love lecture. Today is a celebration. Today is a reflection. Today is a thank you to YOU — for being the kind of artist who keeps showing up. Because this podcast exists because of you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Self-tapes are where careers happen today. They’re the front door of the business. And like any front door — there’s a welcome mat… and there are also banana peels hidden right under the surface waiting to trip you up. Today, we are shining a big bright spotlight on The Self-Tape Trap. Those choices actors make with good intentions — really good intentions — that accidentally sabotage the performance. These traps are sneaky. They can feel like “extra effort” or “smart choices” or “making it real” — but casting directors are watching self-tapes with a totally different lens. Find out much more on this episode of Casting Actors Cast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re talking about overthinking. That mental spiral where suddenly your brain is narrating your audition like it’s doing play-by-play commentary during the Super Bowl. “Here comes the second line — careful, careful — don’t mess this up — oof, eyebrow twitch — bad eyebrow! Reset! Reset!” Overthinking is the enemy of presence. The enemy of impulse. The enemy of surprise. It’s like having a backseat driver take over your brain while you’re trying to actually drive the car. So let me ask you a question: When you’re really living a moment — like REALLY living it — do you think about it while you’re in it? No! You just live it. You notice the other person. You feel the emotion. You react like a human — not like a student trying to pass a finalexam. That’s the shift we’re going to make today: from thinking the moment… to owning the moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey my amazing, wonderful actor friends! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — where you and I get to hang out, learn a little, laugh a little, and uncover the real tools that help you prepare smarter, act better, and book more. I’m your host, Jeff Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, actor, and your industry friend who is in your corner, rooting for you every step of the way. Today’s episode is one I wish I could just loop on a monitor in every waiting room at every audition everywhere. You know, like a public service announcement but with less fear and fewer warnings about shampoo recalls. It’s called: How to Be the Actor Everyone Wants to Work With — and I promise, this is the episode that will change your career faster than any new headshot or acting class ever could. Because the truth is this: the actor everyone wants to work with is the actor who gets opportunities again and again and again. They get recommended. They get remembered. They get rehired. They don’t just book… they build. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever walked into an audition and thought, “Okay… I’m confident. I’m confident. I’m confident,” while your body is screaming, “We’re absolutely not confident!” Meanwhile, casting directors are looking at you like, “Are they… are they okay?” Confidence is one of those weird acting ingredients you can’t fake, can’t force, but absolutely need— even though most actors have no idea what real confidence looks like. Well, today we’re pulling back the curtain. Because what you think confidence is…and what casting directors actually see as confidence… are two completely different things. Let’s fix the gap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You ever notice that actors can make anything stressful? Audition? Stressful. Callback? Stressful. Self-tape? Stressful. Meeting someone who might know someone in the industry? Oh, that’s a full-blown cardio event. Actors are the only people who can turn reading two pages of dialogue in their own living room into a scene from “Mission Impossible.” Meanwhile, your acting career just left you a voicemail: “Hi… yeah, it’s me… could you just… relax?” Let’s talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is part pep-talk, part reality check, and part comedic intervention. Actors obsess over getting it right — especially on self-tapes. You know this. You’ve lived this. But here’s the kicker: Casting directors aren’t looking for perfect. We’re looking for alive. So today, we’re going to shatter the myth of the perfect take, unpack how perfectionism sabotages your work, and give you a step-by-step guide to capturing the kind of take that makes us go, “Oh! I didn’t expect that. Yes. Callback.” Let’s get started with the truth bomb at the center of this whole episode.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Impressions in a Digital World When your self-tape hits my inbox, it’s your first — and sometimes only — chance to make an impression. Before I even hit play, I’ve already learned something about you from your file name, your slate, your frame, your lighting. That’s right — your tape speaks volumes before you do. Find out how in this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Casting Actors Cast, where we turn good intentions into great auditions. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and today, your guide through one of my favorite acting truths: stop trying to be good. Be specific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Do Casting Directors REALLY Remember about You  “Hey there, actor friends! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast that helps you prepare smarter, act better, and book more. I’m your host, Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and your friendly guide through the wonderful, weird, and sometimes wobbly world of show business.” “Today’s episode is one I think you’ll really appreciate, because it answers a question I get all the time: What do casting directors actually remember about you? Spoiler alert — it’s not your hair color, your wardrobe, or how you pronounced ‘cheeseburger’ in your slate. It’s something way more interesting — and understanding it could literally change how you walk into every audition from now on.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Okay, let’s be honest. We’ve all seen those New Year posts from actors that sound something like —“This is my year! Manifesting series regular energy!”Or “Big bookings only in 2025!” And listen — I love the optimism. But sometimes, our acting goals start to sound… a little cringe. Why? Because they’re about results— not process. In today’s episode, we’re going to fix that. We’ll talk about how to create acting goals that actually move your career forward — without the fake hustle, without the toxic positivity, and without the pressure to “book or bust.” Let’s make your goals smarter, saner, and actually achievable.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know that moment in an audition when your scene partner says their line… and you feel pressure to do something? You nod. You blink. You shift your face. You give a tiny “actor reaction” — because silence feels dangerous. Here’s a little secret: sometimes, the best reaction… is no reaction at all. Today, we’re going to uncover one of the most overlooked audition skills — the ability to listen without performing your listening.This is the subtle art that separates actors who look authentic from actors who look like they’re trying to look authentic. Let’s talk about it.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You finally get the message: “We’d love to offer you the part. Congratulations!” And you freeze. Do you take it? Do you need to ask your agent? Do you even want it? Here’s the thing — actors are told from day one, “Say yes to everything.” But what if saying yes too quickly is the one thing that keeps you from leveling up? Today, we’re diving into a topic every actor wrestles with: Should you take that role? Because sometimes the smartest career move you can make… is learning when to say no. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every actor knows the sting of being “so close” to booking a role. You nailed the audition, maybe even got a callback, but in the end, the role went to someone else. Over time, those near-misses can feel like rejection after rejection, and the self-defeating thoughts start creeping in: “I’ll never make it… I must be doing something wrong.” But here’s the truth: being almost there is not failure—it’s progress. It’s evidence that you’re in the mix, that casting directors see your talent, and that you are one step away from landing the job. In this episode of Casting Actors Cast, we’re going to flip the script on “almost.” You’ll learn why close calls matter, how to shift your mindset, and how to keep momentum when the bookings aren’t yet rolling in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder what it’s really like when your acting career starts to take off? We tend to imagine red carpets, magazine covers, and endless applause—but there’s so much happening behind the curtain that nobody talks about. Today on Casting Actors Cast, I’m pulling back the velvet rope to reveal the hidden machinery that keeps your favorite actors’ careers running. From publicists and personal assistants to managers and social media specialists, these behind-the-scenes players can make or break an actor’s momentum. If you’re training, auditioning, or dreaming of your next big break, this episode is for you. We’re going to talk about the realities of “making it,” and trust me—it’s not always what you think. Get ready for a fun, surprising, and eye-opening ride! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“Not every audition comes with sparkling dialogue. But casting isn’t just about the script—it’s about you. So how do you shine, even when the writing is clunky? Let’s break it down.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Directors want it, casting directors expect it—you need to access emotion instantly. But how do you do it without faking, forcing, or frying yourself emotionally? Let’s break it down.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Sometimes the most powerful acting happens when you’re not speaking at all. Silent moments can make or break your performance, and today we’re going to explore how to master them.” castingactorscast.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast for actors who want to sharpen their audition skills, book more roles, and understand the industry from the inside out. Today we’re diving into a genre that’s deceptively challenging, yet absolutely essential for so many working actors: Romantic Comedies and Hallmark-style films. These projects have their own flavor—light, charming, heartfelt, and often sprinkled with humor and predictability. But here’s the catch: what works in a dramatic audition often doesn’t work here. If you overplay the depth, you miss the levity. If you underplay it, you risk seeming flat or uninspired. So, how do you strike that perfect balance? In this episode, we’ll explore the hallmarks of rom-com acting—the specific skill set that helps actors shine in both auditions and on set. Whether you’re preparing for a Hallmark Christmas movie or a witty rom-com pilot, you’ll walk away with practical tools to deliver the style directors and casting directors are looking for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices