What's New | Boston Casting Inc.

Angela Peri on NECN!

Check out Angela on NECN, and don't forget to come to the open call at Boston Casting, today, Friday, 7/14! See the clip at http://www.necn.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Casting-Call-for-Next-Amy-Schumer-...

How To Harness Those Nerves - and Use Them to Own the Room - by Angela Peri (featured in Imagine Magazine 2017)

LISTEN! After casting people for 31 years and casting anywhere from 5 to 3,800 people in a week, I must say that I am the confirmed expert. One thing I will tell you is that when an actor walks in the room, I know right away if he is a novice or if he’s nervous. The seasoned actors that walk into the room fluidly and hand over their materials exude confidence instantly. This sort of confidence comes from years and years of theater training, acting training, and hundreds or even thousands of auditions.

But let’s get back to the novice. Here are some of the things I tell people to help them get over being nervous at an audition.

1. Know your room. If possible, take a class at a casting company so you’ll be able to know what the room you’re auditioning in is like.

2. Walk in the room like your father owns the building. This business is all about confidence and how you carry yourself.

3. Arm yourself with your script the night before. Be very familiar, if not off book with your script. Not knowing your script can cause a bundle of nerves.

4. Make sure you have your materials ready to go at a moment’s notice. There’s nothing more nerve wracking than scrambling to get your headshot together on the day of the audition.

5. Now, the next advice I’m going to give you is the most important: JOG. This may sound crazy, but there’s something about jogging that changes the blood in your body, clears your head, and makes you relax. So, jog as close to your audition time as possible. If you hate jogging, go on a walk, move that blood around to clear your head!

6. Lastly, if you are, and you know if you are, the sweaty palm guy, don’t shake any clients or casting directors’ hands. It will just give them confirmation that you are super nervous.

So, in a nutshell, how do you quell audition nerves? Be prepared, get a good night’s sleep, and exercise on the day of your audition.

Never let those nerves get the best of you – find the nerve to own the room!

Boston Casting Wants YOU - by Angela Peri (featured in Imagine Magazine 2017)

“There is only one YOU in the whole universe. No one else is like you – no one.”

We love film and television. We love stories. We love being a part of helping to tell the narratives that connect us all as human beings. We want nothing more than to share the experience with talented and passionate people. We want to help celebrate the things that make you - you.

Film and Television shows have always been defined as showing ‘a slice of life’ – well, we need all of life to be seen and heard in order to reflect our world to the best of our ability.

At Boston Casting, we not only celebrate uniqueness, we seek it out – we want it to be seen by the masses.

In this day and age when many feel like they must conform and fit in with the trends - we dare you to stay original. We challenge you to remain true to all the things that make you uniquely you. Why? Because soon Boston Casting will call upon a skill that only you can do, a talent only you possess – a look that only you have.

In the world of Casting, we can’t even begin to list all the things that are asked of us to find. A left handed ball player who can dribble while roller-skating backwards. An opera singer with pink hair and tattoos. A 6 foot tall teenage girl who can dirt bike and hip hop dance…. Honestly, the list is never ending and forever changing.

Movie and television shows that are being created now in this generation are requiring a new breed of talent, young and old, that bring with them authenticity and a real sense of truth.

For everyone’s story is meant to be heard. So, if there has ever been a time that you have watched a show or movie and felt as though your story wasn’t being told, your truth wasn’t being seen – then please join us at Boston Casting and register for free at Bostoncasting.com so we can continue to show Hollywood the many incredible unique stories that are right here in New England.

For those of you who are already with us, please be sure to login and update your pictures and profile – be sure that every field is filled out, because every detail of YOU matters! Updates are free!

Set Your Cold Read on FIRE - by Angela Peri (featured in Imagine Magazine 2017)

LISTEN! As an actor you have to be prepared for many things. One of which is getting handed the script at the audition or having the director give you brand new pages at the audition. This is where the actor’s fundamental skills of switching your gears comes into play. Hopefully, your character has stayed the same, and it’s just the characters thought process that’s changed. So immediately you have to go back to your FIVE W’s, to still determine –

1. Who are you?

2. Where you are?

3. When is it?

4. What do you want?

5. Why do you want it?

Luckily, at Boston Casting we have a Dunkin Donuts nearby - I say take your script out for a cup of coffee and get to know each other as fast as you can. Now, the best acting advice comes from famed Boston acting teacher and coach Bates Wilder, which is “know your story”. That way, if you fluff a line because you were just given the script 15 min ago, you can improv and segue through it by knowing your basic story. Another helpful tip – Memorize the first and last line. Let them see your eyes and connect with you. This allows for a strong open and end of the audition. Also, there is nothing more distracting than the rustling of paper during an audition. We know it’s nerve wracking doing a cold read, but don’t let the pages get in your way. Fold the script or dog ear the pages, so that you command control of the read. Help set your cold read on fire with confidence, a great headshot, and those fundamental skills with and you’ll be ready!

For when they hand it to you COLD – serve it to ‘em HOT

ShowBUSINESS - by Angela Peri (featured in Imagine Magazine 2017)

LISTEN! I always give local Boston Actors the advice that you’ve gotta split yourself in two.

Not only are you the talent, but you’re also your own manager/agent.

Of course, having representation is the best way to go, and in the last five years the Boston agent landscape has really changed. We have reputable agents that take on talent and work closely with the three casting directors in this town and market their talent to us directly.

With that said, I still think it is imperative for a local actor to be their own manager/agent.

Agents hustle to find work for their clients, so you’ve gotta HUSTLE. Back in the 80s when I was an actress, the only place we could find out about work was the Phoenix Newspaper, and it was so nerve-wracking waiting for it to come and then digging through it and hoping there was something I was right for. Nowadays, there are so many resources out there! You’ve got to get yourself on every website that posts auditions and open calls. Be sure to subscribe to Backstage and Imagine Magazine. Very Helpful!

Remember, you have to represent yourself in the best of light everywhere you go. That means having the best headshot and resume, a beautiful copy to be able to hand over to directors. You have to make sure you stay on the cutting edge of technology, because videos and reels are a great way to promote your talent.

Now, managers are a different story, and in this town, there aren’t any. Therefore, you have to find the manager in you. That means making sure that you stay in shape, have the right clothes in your wardrobe, and are constantly taking classes or working with a private coach. Boston Casting offers classes on “Breaking into the Business” where I can give you the complete 411. Because you have to keep your skills sharp! The actors who don’t hone their skills and practice – lose it. Staying sharp will always enable you to have a better audition.

After 30 years in the business, I can personally tell you that the actors who book jobs are the ones who know how to represent themselves and work hard to put themselves out there every chance they get. Because nobody can see the SHOW - if you don’t handle the BUSINESS.