Castability: The Podcast

Michelle Merring, actress and Castability user, shares with us how she went from resenting self tape requests, getting so in her head that she struggled to even turn them in, to finding true confidence and joy in front of the camera. Through consistent self tape practice, she details exactly how she shifted her mindset and fell in love with self tapes, attracting more auditions and callbacks along the way. Michelle is the winner of our Self Tape May challenge last year after she completed over 16+ tapes on the app during Audrey Helps Actor's Self Tape May challenge. Check out her open scenes in the winners gallery in the Castability App to see her creativity in action. -Creativity in Self Taping and Finding Joy in the Process -Building Confidence Through Practice -Shift in Mindset: Auditioning as an Art -Role of Community in Self Taping -Overcoming Ego and Embracing Feedback -The Importance of Vulnerability and Learning -Reframing Rejection and Mistakes -Setting Intentions and Goals -Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivations Links:⁠Winners Gallery in-app⁠⁠Audrey Helps Actors Self Tape May⁠⁠Four Agreements book ⁠⁠Extrinsic vs Intrinsic motivations⁠⁠Self Compassion by Kristin Neff⁠⁠Michelle's website ⁠⁠Michelle's IMDB⁠

Amanda Lenker Doyle, CSA sits down with her friends Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist's Strategy. Joshua founded Artist's Strategy with the mission of helping artists make art for the rest of their lives. Joshua and Mike (hosts of the "Creative Risk" podcast) share with us why applying business principles to building a creative career is the key to longevity and success. Join us as we discuss what it takes to build a creative business and all the pitfalls along the way. Artist Strategy Website Creative Risk Podcast Artist Strategy Instagram

Today we chat with Castability member and last year's Castability Self Tape May winner, Hakam Shalabi. Hakam has submitted on Castability since the app began and has gotten to see his work transform over time. Guided by our partners at The Bridge for Acting's Practice Track, Hakam tracked his practice by showing up consistently and gathering data on his craft and materials. Casting scored him high in "The Rebel" archetype and those rebel inspired headshots got him his first Network TV role. Join us as we discuss benefits of practice and everything Self Tape May! The Bridge for Actors FYI: Get a discount code for The Bridge Practice Track after signing up for any Castability Membership tier!

Joe Towne is a Los Angeles based performer, award-winning writer, director, and teacher. He is also the CEO of The Performer's Mindset and the creator/host of The Better Podcast. For 20 years, he's coached business professionals, athletes, and actors – some of whom are selling that product you just bought or starring in that movie you Netflixed last night. As an actor, Joe has worked with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Hillary Swank, Rebel Wilson, and he most recently starred as the lead in The Art of Christmas. Today, he joins the Castability Podcast to talk about how to understand your data, the ways we can avoid burnout, and how we can overcome perfectionism to allow ourselves to show up as the artists we are. — The Four Mindsets — Athletes and Actors — Perfectionism — Toxic Habits of Creatives — Deliberate Practice — Casting Director Feedback + Constructive Criticism — Regulating Emotions During Auditions — The Amygdala Flight-Fright Response — Remembering Our "Why" Email us for more information on coaching with Joe: assist@theperformersmindset.com Episode Resources: • Listen to Joe's episode with Audrey Moore, "Passion as Fuel" • The Performer's Mindset Instagram • Brené Brown's Podcast Interview on Burnout • "Burnout" by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski • "Chatter" by Ethan Cross • "Peak Performance" by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness ────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG! Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

As Castability gears up for the next Show Up Challenge starting January 15th 2024, we hear from members who completed the challenge last year and they share how they transformed as actors during the process. Easier time picking takes, faster memorization, and so much more. Amanda Lenker Doyle answers important Q and A's on how to stand out (in a good way!) and the rarely discussed process of casting before they ever call in actors. Welcome to season two of Castability, the podcast! — This Season's Theme — How to Stand out  — Dacre Montgomery's Audition Tape — What does Casting do before they call in actors — Does it matter if you are not local to NY and LA anymore? — What made Tracee Ellis Ross shine during her audition fro Black-ish — How members improved their craft from the Show Up Challenge — How to participate in this year's challenge

Chrissy Fiorilli-Ellington is an experienced Casting Director who has worked on character-driven projects for network television, premium cable, streamers, and festivals. She has a knack for identifying future superstars and has cast videos with household names that have been viewed billions of times. Her work has been featured at Sundance, SXSW, TriBeCa, and Cannes. Her primary focus is on great storytelling. She is an artist at heart who brings world-class expertise with a side of comedy to her work. Joined by Amanda Lenker Doyle, CSA, the two discuss their journeys as Casting Directors up until today, where the industry is going, and all you need to know about getting cast in comedy. — Chrissy's Career — Chrissy's Relationship to Her Husband, Tate Ellington — Working as CollegeHumor's Head of Casting — How the Pandemic effected the Casting Industry — Casting Comedy TV, Film, Sketch, and YouTube — Amanda and Chrissy's Partnership — Living in LA in 2023 — What Makes a Person Funny — The Casting Process — Casting Dramas, Procedurals, and CW Shows — The Transformation of the Internet — Diversifying Revenue Streams — Being a Multi-Hyphenate Episode Resources: Chrissy's WebsiteChrissy's IMDbFollow Chrissy on Instagram @cdfioe ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG! Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Megan Channell is an acting coach, actress, director, and producer who has appeared in some of your favorite shows and films. She portrays Rachel in "Bull" (CBS), played the recurring role of Katarina Löw in "Hunters" (Amazon) alongside Al Pacino, and most recently shot the pilot "Getaway" for NBC. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Megan sits down with Taylor to discuss some of her favorite acting tips, stories, and words of encouragement for anyone out there who may be struggling with the ups and downs of this career. — Having Commercial Success as an Actor — Cultivating Spontaneity in Your Acting — Basement Acting — Getting Specific & Accountable With Your Goals — What an "Event" Is — Building Emotional Intelligence — How Emotions Effect the Voice — Auditioning for & Booking Katarina Löw in Hunters — Accessing Your Own Work — Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable — Minimizing the Pretend — How Working at a Production Company Changed Megan's Acting — Understanding Patterns in Storytelling — The Strike Episode Resources: Megan's IMDbMegan's WebsiteFollow Megan on IG @themeganchannellBob Krakower's Acting Class"How to Stop Acting: A Renowned Acting Coach Shares His Revolutionary Approach to Landing Roles, Developing Them and Keeping them Alive" by Harold Guskin ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG! Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Alexandra Wright is the founder of The Delta Acting Community. She holds a B.A. from the University of Southern California and an M.F.A. from the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. She has performed and studied worldwide, including Paris, London, Moscow, and Scotland. She specializes in teaching Voice, Shakespeare, Emotional Theory, and On Camera Technique at UCLA, Loyola Marymount, Azusa Pacific, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and BGB Studio. The Castability staff sits down with Alex to discuss all things grad school, the best way to practice self-tapes, and what most people miss when talking about branding and character types for actors. — Studying in Russia — The Pros and Cons of Getting an MFA in Acting — On Stage vs. On Camera Acting: Is There a Difference? — The Etude Exercise — Consistency in Self-Taping — Why Perfection is Hurting You — Acting Process for the Theatre vs. for the Camera — Archetypes & Script Analysis — What Most Branding Tips Get Wrong — How Alex Found Her Type — Filming Reel Scenes On Your Own — Targeted Submissions for Representation Episode Resources: Alex's IMDbFollow Alex on IG @the_alexandrawrightThe Delta Acting Community WebsiteFollow The Delta Acting Community on IG @the_deltacommunityListen to the "Shake, Shake, Shake" PodcastAlex's Classes at BGB Studio James Depietro Photography Audrey Helps Actors: "Get Your Sh*t Together - Alexandra Wright"Plays by Anton Chekhov "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell "The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales" by Bruno Bettelheim ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG! Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Jordan Blum is a prolific writer and producer who has worked on some of your favorite shows and comic books. Jordan has written and produced over 118 episodes of "American Dad!" and recently wrapped showrunning  "M.O.D.O.K." - a series he co-created with Patton Oswalt. He also has his own comic book series with Patton called "Minor Threats". In this episode, he sits down with Amanda Lenker Doyle, CSA, to discuss his journey in the industry, the impact of AI and media consolidation on the industry, and why joy and passion shine above all. — The Value of Unions & Collaborating with Different Guilds — Jordan's journey from Assistant to Executive Producer on American Dad — Voice Acting vs. Live Action — Working with Auteur Showrunners — Becoming Writer/Co-creator of Marvel's M.O.D.O.K. — Writing for Established Characters — Working with Established Actors — Writer Pay on TV — Writing New Characters — Intellectual Property vs. Original Characters — Being a Multi-Hyphenate — Working on Community with Dan Harmon — Jordan's Writing Process — How Animators & Actors Collaborate — AI & The Future — Pitching Yourself — Favorite Movies & TV Shows Episode Resources: Jordan's IMDbFollow Jordan on Twitter @BlumJordanSee Jordan's Marvel Comic Book workRead Minor Threats Volume #1 Listen to Castability 116. The Art of Authentic Storytelling: A Conversation with Editor and VFX Artist Spencer Houck ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG! Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Izzy Stevens is an actor, producer, director, coach, and CEO of Indie Spunk. Originally from Sydney, Australia,Izzy is a creative person's creative person. As a filmmaker's coach, Izzy enjoys collaborating with others and helping them find creative fulfillment. You may be familiar with her work on projects such as Occupation, Occupation: Rainfall, Sea Form, Leap, and Puberty Blues, all of which have received critical acclaim. In this episode, Izzy discusses how to balance creative passion with practicality, how to deal with the fear of losing interest in a project, and how to persevere despite setbacks. This info is vital for anyone who wants to pursue their creative aspirations but needs guidance on navigating the highs and lows along the creative journey. — Booking 2 Series Regulars Early On — Filmmaking School — Female Directors — Creating, Pursuing, and Achieving Career Goals — Overcoming the Fear of Imperfection — The Value of Curiosity — Crowdfunding — Film Festivals — Collaboration and Community — Taking Risks and Coping with Rejection — Growth Through Imperfect Work Over Time — Challenges and Rewards of Making Your Own Work Link to check out micro-budge bootcamp & sign up for my free intro class ‘Money Doesn’t Make Your Film’ — www.indiespunk.com/bootcamp Episode Resources: The Official Website of Izzy StevensFollow Izzy on Instagram @izzystevensFollow Indie Spunk on Instagram @indiespunkGet Started with Indie Spunk Listen to the Indie Spunk Podcast"Izzy Stevens | Mental Health, Lead Role In ‘Occupation’ & Love For Film" by Shirley Ju Film FreewayNo BudgeSundance Online ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG! Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Amanda Lenker Doyle, CSA, sits down to interview editor and VFX artist Spencer Houck. You may know his work from Cobra Kai, Pitch Perfect, Bumper in Berlin, Community, Super Troopers 2, HAPPILY, and Silent Retreat. Spencer focuses on the importance of various editing aspects such as continuity, non-verbal communication, and the use of actors' eyes. He also highlights the importance of non-verbal communication in creating authentic and truthful stories, specifically mentioning the role of an actor's eyes in conveying emotion and meaning. This episode is a must-listen for a peek into the creative process of editing and the crucial role it plays in bringing stories to life. — Challenges of Editing Films & TV Shows — Editing Movie Trailers vs. Film/TV Editing — Importance of Understanding the Story and Characters — Editor's Cut, Director's Cut, Producer's Cut — Weighing Pros and Cons of Cutting Scenes and Characters — Importance of Continuity for both Editors and Actors — Being Aware of One's Physical Self on Camera — The Power of Non-Verbal Communication in Film and TV — How Eyes Effect Performance — The Role of Editors in the Filmmaking Process — Inspiration for Getting into Editing — Editing Heroes and Influences — Staying True to Authenticity and Truth in Storytelling Episode Resources: Spencer's IMDbSpencer's Official WebsiteFollow Spencer on Instagram and Twitter @spencerhouck "How to Avoid the Cutting Room Floor and Editor's Guide for On Camera Actors" by Jordan Goldman ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG! Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

In this episode, Head of Actor Relations explains the concept of deliberate practice and how it can be applied to acting. Deliberate practice involves setting goals, identifying areas of improvement, and actively seeking feedback to continuously improve in your craft. It is a key tool in stepping outside of your comfort zone, becoming unafraid of failure, and surrounding yourself with a community you can be motivated from and learn with. Taylor also explains how deliberate practice, not natural talent, is the key to becoming an expert in your art. — Deliberate Practice vs. Purposeful Practice — Learning New Skills — Quality over Quantity — Why A-Listers Excel — Showing Up for Yourself — Mental Representations as Repeatable Patterns — Incorporating new Techniques — Feedback & Unbiased Self-Reflection — Practicing as You Perform — The Myth of Natural Talent Episode Resources: Writer's Strike Info "Peak" by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool "Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else" by Geoff ColvinLearning Lots with Brie Larson and Jessie EnnisCastability 102: "Getting in the Right Mindset for your Castability Reports and Overcoming Perfectionism with Mindset Coach Joe Towne"Castability 108: "The New Triple Threat's Alyshia Ochse and Anna LaMadrid on Self Tapes, Being "Director-Proof", and the Validation Loop" ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Gabriella Tranchina, Castability's long-time Operations Coordinator, gets reacquainted with two of the original writers from our Castability Writers Room after surviving a devastating accident in Los Angeles. In this episode writers Thomas Ireton and Jenn O'Malley discuss what writing our sample scripts are like and how they feel watching their work come to life in the Winner's Gallery and on Instagram. Get to know some of the voices behind the app as we celebrate our writers and dive into their process, career goals, and who their favorite TV and Film writers working today are. — Being Writing Partners — Watching Their Work Performed — Writing to the Archetypes — Genres — Tonally Inspired By Scenes — Deliberate Practice for Writers — Staying Gender and Age Neutral — Favorite TV Show and FIlm Writers Episode Resources: Follow Thomas Ireton on IGFollow Jen O'Malley on IGCastability: The Podcast! Episode 106: What are Archetypes? ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

New to Castability and not sure where to start? This episode is for you. The Castability app is a data app, a self tape practice community, as well as marketing tool for actors. With many the facets of the app, you may not know where to start first. Join us as the Castability staff walks you through different pathways on how to get the most out of your membership and frequently asked questions! — How to Use Castability — Why Castability was Created — Deliberate Practice — Honing Skills — Growing Alongside Your Peers — Where to Find Scenes — Your Account Credits — Data Reports Episode Resources: FAQ & Support PageScene CalendarSample Data ReportBecome a Castability Member: Purchase PageThe Castability List One Actor’s Case Study of How Data Changed her ApproachCastability Episode 111: Everything Self Tape May + Leveling Up Your Career with Audrey MooreAdmin email: admin@castability.actor ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

In this episode, Amanda sits down with special guest and co-host Jessica Sherman, CSA, to interview KJ Rose, who blew them both away during her time onstage with Misty Copeland at the Sundance Film Festival. KJ Rose is a performance coach who specializes with helping musicians conquer their nerves to deliver the performance of a lifetime. She helped Lil Nas X with his Grammy dance routine, and aims to unlock that same confidence in all the artists she works with. Before becoming a performance coach, KJ Rose has been a backup singer for artists such as the Notorious B.I.G, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Janet Jackson, and Britney Spears. With Clive Davis as her mentor, she has honed her own style of coaching and mentoring, leading to her new book The Rose Effect where she outlines how to occupy your space in every stage and in every room. — Presence, Engagement, Connectivity, and Personalization  — Never Recycling Inspiration — Defining The Artist — Tools to Recover Quicker — Building Habits — Stage Fright, Empathy, and Becoming a Talent Whisperer — The Evolution of You — Law of Attraction — Finding Pride in Your Story — Embracing a Victory Mindset — KJ Rose's 8 Power Chants: The Espresso Shots of Motivation Episode Resources: Follow KJ Rose on IGKJ Rose's Official WebsiteKJ Rose's Spotify PlaylistThe Rose Effect: Eight Steps To Delivering The Performance Of Your Life by Keanna KJ Rose Henson "At Work With KJ Rose, the Coach Who Brought Lil Nas X Onto the Stage" by Elias Leightin the Rolling StoneListen to Jess's new Podcast, Tipsy Casting & Follow the podcast on IG here!Follow Jess on IG ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Audrey Moore is an accomplished actor, host of the hit Audrey Helps Actors Podcast, and creator of Self Tape May. In this episode we discuss unique ways to approach this year's Self Tape May, how Audrey developed her own self tape practice, and what she does currently to maintain her progress and continue to grow. You are not going to want to miss this episode if you are looking to up level your tapes this May! — What Started Self Tape May — The Value of a Self Tape Practice — Why People Don't do Self Tape May — Copyright + Social Media — Moving Past Just Listening and Reacting — Building an Audition Technique — Competition — Mastery of Craft — Dealing with Frustration — Leveling Up Your Career — Co-Stars and Guest Stars — Being Prepared for Being On Set — Creating and Engaging Performance — Authenticity and Mumble Acting — Evaluating Your Own Work — Community Episode Resources: Audrey Helps Actors PodcastAudrey Helps Actors WebsiteFollow Audrey Helps Actors on InstagramFollow Audrey's Personal InstagramAudrey's IMDbLearn More About Self Tape May ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

In Part Two of this State of the Union, Amanda Lenker Doyle, CSA, continues her conversation with Nawal Bengholam to discuss the recent divide caused by self tapes within the entertainment industry. After polling the Castability community on questions that they had regarding self tapes, Amanda and Nawal answer questions and give their opinions. From requiring readers for a self tape, to losing a sense of community after not being in the room, to whether or not Casting Directors watch every tape that is sent in, no stone is left unturned as the two continue their discussion about the hard truths of this business in 2023. — How Could Casting Make Auditions Worse for Actors? — Competing With People Outside of Major Cities — Capitalism + Art — Readers — Rebuilding Your Community — The Autonomous Actor — Not Giving Story Details — Escaping Victim Mentality — Watching Actor's Tapes — Memorizing Multiple Pages for an Audition — Prescreens vs. Callbacks — Casting Director Workshops — Building Relationships with Casting — Self Tape Feedback — Chat GPT and AI Episode Resources: Nawal's InstagramNawal's IMDbThe Clyde Bernardy Acting Studio The Clyde Bernardy Acting Studio Instagram “She was a tough, East German cookie”: filmmakers and actors pay tribute to German casting director Simone Bär by Patricia Dobson in Screen Daily Microsoft Fires 10,000 Employees as it Invests in AI by Noor Al-Sibai in Futurism Magazine ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

In Part One of this State of the Union, Amanda Lenker Doyle, CSA, is joined by Nawal Bengholam to discuss the recent divide caused by self tapes within the entertainment industry. Amanda first discovered Nawal on social media, where Nawal's initial thoughts on the controversy made Amanda want to sit down with her and discuss the situation in full. The two have an open, honest, heart-to-heart about the industry and self tapes. In Part One of this Two-Part episode, — Understanding One Another In This Industry — Casting Director Workshops — Casting Director and Actor Relationships — Actors Being Taken Advantage Of — Art in a Capitalist Society — Standing Out in the Crowd — Craft, Business Acumen, and Mindset — The Art of Casting Episode Resources: Nawal's InstagramNawal's IMDbThe Clyde Bernardy Acting Studio The Clyde Bernardy Acting Studio Instagram Remembering Kobe: Former Lakers teammates on his greatness By Broderick Turner in The Los Angeles Times ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

Anna LaMadrid and Alyshia Ochse are both working actors, creators of Put Me On Self Tape and The New Triple Threat, and are master coaches for actors everywhere. You may have seen Anna from her time on Hulu's This Fool or HBO's The Rehearsal, while Alyshia can be seen as Lucy on HBO's True Detective with Matthew McConaughey and on Quibi's #FREERAYSHAWN with Laurence Fishburne. Dedicated to actors everywhere, Anna and Alyshia are a dream team and hope to empower actors through tech and community, teaching artists everywhere how to put their best take forward every single time. — How Alyshia and Anna Created Put Me On Self Tape — The State of the Self-Tape — Developing a Critical Eye — The Validation Loop — Learning From Our Peers — Positive Self-Assessment — The Acting Career Ladder — The Actor's Curiosity — What Is a "Working Actor"? — Common Self-Taping Mistakes — Making The Tech Work for You — Being "Director-Proof" — Perfectionism and Shooting vs. Rehearsal Episode Resources: That One Audition Podcast with Alyshia Ochse Follow Put Me On Self Tape on IGFollow The New Triple Threat on IGThe New Triple Threat WebsitePut Me On Self Tape WebsiteSelf Tape May Class Sign UpAlyshia Ochse - Giveaway ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!

With over 100 tapes submitted on the Castability App, Amy is always at the top of the Castability List. She recently won a Cast Away Cancer challenge, and joins the Castability Staff to discuss balancing parenting a teenager while self-taping, how self-taping has enhanced her awareness of what she looks like on camera, and transitioning from music to theatre to Film and TV. She also shares how her self tape practice has influenced her current short film shoot, and gives her biggest piece of advice to actors who may struggling with self-tapes. — Amy's Acting Journey — Motherhood and Acting — Watching Ourselves On Camera — Fixed and Growth Mindset — Handling Objective Data and Constructive Criticism — Self-Tapes and On-Camera Awareness — Pursuing Acting While Not In a Major Market — Experience with Audition Data and the Winner's Gallery — Relying On Your Community — The State of Self Tapes — Transitioning from Music to Theatre to Film Episode Resources: Amy's WebsiteAmy's IMDbAmy's IGThe Castability ListInsider Article by Kirstie Renae "12 Actors Who Don't Watch The Movies They've Been In" ──────────────────────────── Learn more about the Castability app right here. And keep updated with us on our IG!  Ready to work? Download the app here for iOS or Google Play!