Hi there. Incredible actors.

Welcome back to casting actor's caste.

The podcast that's here to support you

in making smart, strategic and

fulfilling choices in your career.

I'm Jeffrey Dreisbach, your casting

director, teacher and ah industry

guide, helping you navigate the ever

evolving world of acting.

Today we're talking about something

crucial,

how to ensure career longevity

and continued success.

Whether you're just starting out or

already deep into your career, the

choices you make now can shape the path

ahead.

Should you stay focused on one singular

goal, or is it wiser to have a series

of choices in mind?

How do you make tough decisions about

transitioning between stage, film, TV

or even new creative adventures?

Let's break it all down so you can keep

thriving in this business for years to

come?

This is casting actor's cast.

Well, hello, and welcome to today's

episode of casting actors cast.

I and Jeffrey Dreisbach.

I'm a casting partner with McCorkle

casting in New York.

How are you?

I hope you're having a good day.

I'm having a really good day.

Looking forward to sharing this

information

about the career choices that you might

be confronted with, maybe now or maybe

in the near future,

something I'm

really,

really connected to, and really would

love to share some insights about that.

Certainly, I've had my own issues about

that, which is why I'm kind of sharing

some of this information with you.

This is that moment of the conversation

where I get to say thank you for tuning

into casting actor's cast.

I invite you to check out the website,

casting actor's cast it's all one word

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00:02:15,1 --> 00:02:15,468

dot com.

There you're going to find all kinds of

information, not only about the

podcast, but you'll see some past

episodes.

You're going to see a book that's

available called jeff's jots, the

actor's career playbook.

You're also going to see a form that

says, dive into the talent pool.

That

information, the name and email

address, is all I'm asking for.

I don't do anything with that.

By the way.

I might, on occasion, send out a

promotional something or other, but I

don't, Spam you or, you know, I respect

your time too much to send out crap.

I don't know how else to say it at that

moment.

So that's what I said.

I just said it

also.

I would love for you to consider the

blog called jeff's jots as well.

It corresponds to each of the show

notes for each of the episodes.

Also, please check out the YouTube

channel

casting actress.

Cass.

I think if you want to see me doing

these live, I record me doing these

live on the air.

So I think that should be really,

really fun.

Finally, I want you to stay tuned to a

very special announcement that'll be

coming up in our next episode.

And that is a live event.

That's going to be taking place in New

York City at pearl studios.

I'm going to give you a lot more

information about that, but it should

be a lot of fun.

This is a live studio audience

recording me doing the podcast.

We did this last year, and it was

really successful.

I met a lot of really great people.

And so I think that this will be a

really fun experience for everybody.

Also it's going to be in conjunction

with actor's connection as well as the

Broadway podcast network in terms of

sponsoring the event.

So I think it should be a lot of fun.

I hope to see you there again.

I'll give you more details as they

become available, as they say.

All right, let's jump into the subject.

Shall we

know what I think?

We have to address this

singular

goal that you might have as an actor

versus just a series of choices.

See,

the career philosophy becomes really

important.

One of the biggest traps

actors fall into is thinking their

career must follow a rigid,

a

singular goal, like, oh, here's one.

I must be a Broadway star,

or I have to land a major

movie franchise.

See, I think that while ambition is

fantastic, it's very useful,

this industry is unpredictable.

So if you put all of your energy into

only one specific outcome,

you may end up missing opportunities

that could be equally,

if not more fulfilling,

a more sustainable approach

here's one.

Consider

a series of choices rather than a

singular end game.

I know that might be tough to hear.

You might feel that that's diminishing

that ambition.

But honestly,

this means staying open to shifts in

your career and making thoughtful transitions

based on opportunities,

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skill development

and the industry's

evolving needs.

What do I mean?

Well,

a stage actor

may eventually move into TV,

a TV actor into voiceover work, or an

on screen performer into directing.

See, these shifts,

they don't mean your abandoning your

dreams,

they don't.

They literally mean you're adapting

and expanding

with them.

Let's talk about career transitions,

moving between mediums.

That question happens a lot, especially

actors who come out of training

programs, and they feel as if the

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majority of their time in these

institutions,

training to be an actor was spent,

not necessarily film and television.

And maybe you have an interest in film

and television.

So

it's so funny to me that many actors,

they dream of making the leap from

stage to film and television,

and they don't understand

the key.

So the key

it's real simple,

adjusting your technique.

You see stage acting requires, you

know, projection, larger physicality.

many times it's a heightened emotional

expression

on screen.

Subtlety

is the key,

watching yourself on camera.

So that when you work with a coach and

get comfortable with onset techniques

that can help make this transition a

lot smoother.

Also network with film and TV

professionals.

Many opportunities arrive from those

kinds of kinds of connections.

If you're interested in going from film

to television,

think about this,

while film offers prestige

television provides consistency.

TV actors develop characters over time,

requiring stamina and adaptability.

If you're moving from film to TV,

just be ready for fast paced shooting

schedules, last minute script changes

and the endurance required for long

term roles.

That can often be a challenge.

And that oftentimes is very surprising.

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I hear that from actors all the time,

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alright?

Moving on from there.

Exploring voice over, motion capture

and commercial work.

You know, when you expand into

voiceovers or commercial work that can

provide financial stability while

keeping your skills sharp.

Motion capture, gaming voice over and

even audiobook narration, they're

growing Fields.

They utilize acting talent in really

fresh ways.

The art of making difficult career

decisions.

Let's go there.

So how do you decide which path to take

when facing a career shift?

Here's a method to help,

number one,

identify your core artistic values.

What excites you, what kind of work

fulfills your creativity.

Your choices should align with, what

makes you feel passionate about performing.

I know that makes sense, but too many

times people don't take the time to

really think about their core interest,

moving on from there.

Number two, assess market demand.

While passion is crucial, of course,

having a practical awareness really

matters.

Where's the industry headed?

Are there some emerging trends like,

you know, the streaming platforms, are

making really interesting decisions

about their material all the time.

How about international productions or

digital content?

Digital content that might align with

your skills can be really useful.

So staying open and aware to what's

happening in that arena will serve you.

Three,

seek guidance.

Talk to mentors, coaches or industry

professionals who have experience

in the area you're considering.

Listen their insight can be really

invaluable.

Making those kinds of connections,

again, really invaluable.

Number four, take small steps first.

Listen.

If you're considering a shift, dip your

toes before diving in all the way.

How, what do you do?

Try workshops,

small roles,

or short term projects in your new area

of interest.

That will set you up for

better decisions down the road.

Number five,

trust your instincts.

If a new opportunity excites you but

scares you a little, let me tell you,

that's often a really good side.

Growth happens outside of comfort zone.

I'm going to repeat that.

Growth

happens outside

of comfort zones

maintaining a sustainable acting career.

Here are some choices.

Keep training.

Never stop learning.

It's

refining your acting technique,

taking movement classes or expanding

into on camera work or improvisation.

Continuous education keeps you

competitive.

Also, you've heard this.

Continue to build relationships.

Don't just build a resume.

Networking isn't just about meeting the

right people.

It's about cultivating genuine

connections.

A good reputation and a strong

relationship bond

lead to long term, career growth.

Relationships take time

and give time, time, time.

But those relationships are going to

prove invaluable

during the course of your career.

I promise you.

I also think it's important to stay

flexible yet focused,

while staying open to new

opportunities.

That's key don't jump at everything.

Be selective about roles and projects

that aligns with your goals and

artistic integrity.

Take care of yourself.

A long career requires physical,

emotional and mental well being.

Prioritize rest.

Stay active

and engage in activities that recharge

you.

Listen to me, outside of acting,

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don't be one of those actors who is

just so totally consumed

by their career choices

that they really leave out a lot of

really interesting life choices.

Does that make sense?

I hope.

So

just remember, success looks different

for everyone.

Some actors find fulfillment in

Broadway.

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Others an Indy film.

Some others in teaching and others in

voice work

define what success means to you.

And then chase that,

not someone else's version of it.

I heard this once from a wonderful

casting director, Rebecca jarson.

And she once said, I want you to think

about the kind of actor you want to be

five years from now,

and then

behave like that.

Isn't that a cool thing?

I love that a lot.

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So here are some final thoughts.

Your acting career is not a straight

road.

It's a winding journey filled with

surprises and detours

and exciting new paths.

Instead of locking yourself into one

rigid goal,

consider embracing a series of choices

that lead to long term successes.

Stay adaptable.

Keep refining your craft

and be open to the unexpected.

That's how you build a career that not

only lasts,

but keeps you fulfilled along the way.

That's it for today's episode of

casting actors cast.

If you found this helpful, subscribe,

leave a review and visit.

Casting actors cast dotcom for more

resources.

Until next time, stay inspired, stay

resilient

and keep telling your story.

I'm Jeffrey driesbach.

This is casting.

Actors cast.

See you next