Okay. Have I sinned again? Well, looking at the date, all I can say is “you betcha!” and for that I apologize PROFUSELY! But WHY have I not been able to get to my beloved blog? And WHAT, you may ask, is the day-to-day life of a Casting Director/mother of a four year old – who, by the way, JUST booked his first PSA?!  (Public Service Announcement)

Well, days that I don’t cast, I coach Actors like you. Sometimes my coaching sessions book-end my casting sessions. Sometimes I have a series of classes at night for either on-camera (which by the way is starting again April 15th, where I’ll be co-teaching with another fabulous Casting Director, Ian Weiss. Ian free-lances at a BUNCH of studios. Why is that good? Because when he’s setting up a session at any given studio, he thinks of his fav students, and calls them in – which is exactly what I do with all of my students. They not only come in to audition for me, but can sit and watch the pro’s for as long as they want, before putting their auditions down. pretty cool huh? But once again, I digress. Back to Ian and me: Two Casting Directors, to 5 students!!!  And when I’m not doing that, I teach classes at the same State-of-the-art studio where I cast and produce demos. Phantom Audio. (http://www.phantomaudio.com)
It’s there where thousands of commercials, promos, and industrials are recorded each and every year. It's my "home away from home", and i'm so happy there....

I also host very cool, very chill, VERY laid back meet-and-greets with Top Agents and Casting Directors, where no more than eight very READY and talented actors sit, drink wine, and nibble on goodies with their guest, have a Q and A with them, and then have a nice chunk of time to meet with that guest alone in my teaching studio. There the actor meets with/reads copy for/plays his or her voice-over demo, and/or acting reel for them.  
AND - drum roll, please! My newest venture is that I field auditions for an awesome voice- over talent management company out west. I receive dozens of auditions – both union and non – for commercials, industrials, and promos each week. Keeps me busy, let me tell YOU! I then farm the auditions out to my great list of talent, most of whom have been my students.  Some have home studios to send the mp3 the auditions to me, some come to my studio for coached auditions. It’s been pretty great, and I find myself CONSTANTLY looking for new fresh voices.  Are you one of them???

Now, just because I’m fielding these auditions, don’t go run out and get studio equipment. My next blog – I promise – will be about the pros and cons of trying to put together a home studio set up. Honestly, mostly cons. What I’ll cover is the issue of having to self-direct. Of having to build a studio that has a sound that competes with everyone else’s out there. So many factors, your head will spin. So, save your money until you read that blog. Until then, and boy do I hope it’s soon, be well, keep studying, and stretching your acting muscles.

Over an’out,

Dor

http://www.dorianeelliott.com