Mali Finn

BONUS EPISODE with Casting Director Jennifer Cooper. A true peak into one of the biggest television casting directors. Currently casting over five major network television series. Casting over 500 episodic shows, Jen knows a two or thing about a good audition or a bad audition. Acting is what got her in the game, casting is what won her heart over. Jen casts for talent and truly spends the time building a partnership with the actor, producer and director.

This is the unforgettable journey into Jennifer Cooper’s rise in shaping and pushing the boundaries on the revolutionary medium of Television.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

Resources

LINKS:

• Jennifer Cooper on IMDb

QUOTES:

“Three weeks after interning at a casting office, I knew I didn’t want to be an actress.”

“I was always more passionate about giving direction or being a part of the process.”

“I realize now what it takes to be an actress, you have to wake up and be dying to do this or you have to do something else.”

“Giovanni Ribisi left the casting office and I fell to the floor and said that it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.”

“Just being in the casting sessions with the producers, directors and Mali Finn and the actors, the creative process, I was immediately in love.”

“The thing with acting is you’re always one step away from winning the lottery.”

“But most people it is this slow and steady climb to building a body of work; it can take 20, 30, 40 years to get there.”

“Audition process gives you a opportunity to work through it and be readjusted and find the path out before you are put in front of the people that make the decisions.”

“Ultimately, my job is to work with the actor as a partner to put their best foot forward.”

“Casting directors are people, remember they are on your team, they want to

“Every minute that I didn’t find the right person, I have to keep looking. Every single person that walks into the room, I am crossing my fingers that THIS is the person.”

“With casting directors, you are trying to earn the relationship not get the job. Build a family of people that support your work.”

“Number one bad audition comes from trying to ‘stand out’ versus being in the character or story.”

“Actors do the most insane things when they are focused on being remembered or booking a job.”

“If I put out a one line co-star, I usually get 2000 submissions.”

“There is some element of climbing in this business. Showing up on the first day doesn’t mean that you are ready to be a series regular.”

“If I put out a guest star, I will usually get 1000 submission and I pick about 12 people to come in and read.”

“If you spend your energy developing who you are then make that so incredibly unique to you and what you bring, then all of a sudden they (networks) come knocking on your door.”

“There is no path. There is no answer. Moments that you take a chance, if that doesn’t work, you try something else.”

“How ever you envisioned this (acting) happening to you, it is never the case.”

“If you are talented, if you work hard and you focus on the right things eventually it will happen. You just have to wait, be patient.”

“The casting process has so little to do with the actor. Usually if you are in the room, you are good.”

“That’s also the real fun in the job for me is to begin to push the boundaries to what we are seeing on TV or who they typically cast. That’s where casting is fun.”

“If you are having a shaky day, I don’t send that tape. They never see anything but your best work.”

“The proof is always in your work. And your work is constantly evolving. You need to know what you are capable of if you want them to believe you.”

“Best way into casting is to intern. Jump in and see if you even like it.”

“I’m a huge advocate of lying your way into the business.”

“There is nothing that is going to get you the job more than talent. Talent always rises to the top.”

“What gets you into the business is a moving, sliding scale. What keeps you in the business is talent.”