I’ve long been a fan of technology, especially in my casting office. I’ve gone from having a bookcase overflowing with Betamax tapes to links to actors’ videos on my laptop. Years ago, if I wanted a demo reel on an actor, I would have to go to Blockbuster, rent tapes, and edit it myself. Or, if the agent was very savvy, I would ask for it and it would arrive via messenger into the studio mailroom, then finally delivered to me 48–72 hours later. Not a good way to do business!
Information needs to be attainable lightning fast. Nowadays, when I’m on the phone with an agent, she can instantaneously send me a link to an actor and we can talk about it in real time. The same applies to auditioning. If I need to see your audition and you’re not in my city, I’ll request one from your agent or manager. And if you’re set up at home with the right equipment, I can get it within a few hours. On my latest film, I’ve been very impressed with the quality of the self-taped auditions that have been sent my way. They are usually well-lit, the sound is good, and the actor has taken the time to find a good reader—which really helps with the process. This is so easy to do yourself once you
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