We had the great pleasure of interviewing Elaine Craig, a casting director in LA. We had been waiting for this interview for months, and thanks to being coached by her, she made it happen. She's been in the business forever and knows everything about casting, from the latest trends to the industry's top production companies and ad agencies!
Early Success and Continued Excellence
Elaine's first project as a casting director was for an animated episode of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories," directed by Brad Bird. Since then, she has continued to cast for the industry's premier production companies and ad agencies.
Elaine is also recognized as one of the voice-over industry's top coaches. We can attest to that; we've learned so much from her. She's down-to-earth and lovely, and we just love everything about her!
Embracing Technology
In our interview, Elaine shared insights into how voice testing has changed due to technology, especially since COVID-19. Tools like Source-Connect and Zoom have become essential in her workflow, allowing her to cast talent from all over the world. This has led to a significant shift in the casting workflow, making it more efficient and accessible. While some aspects of casting, like animation, may still benefit from in-person collaboration, Elaine believes that online casting for commercials is here to stay, as producers have grown accustomed to the convenience and efficiency it offers.
Navigating Auditions Successfully
Elaine also discussed her coaching business and why she finds it rewarding. She loves working with talent to explore the copy together and discover new ways to deliver it. Her goal is to open up possibilities and encourage actors to take risks in their auditions. Coaching provides talents with a collaborative space to explore copy and improve their auditioning skills. Working with a coach allows talents to delve deeper into the creative aspects of their performance, which may not be possible in a typical audition setting. This can lead to more engaging and compelling auditions that catch the attention of casting directors.
Elaine emphasized the importance of authenticity, believability, relatability, and uniqueness in auditions. Talents should aim to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the script, rather than delivering it in a formulaic or scripted manner. Taking risks and offering a unique perspective can help talents stand out in a competitive field.
Online Casting: Pros and Cons
When it comes to online casting, Elaine has reservations, particularly with pay-to-play sites. Some individuals may not be ready for professional work despite having access to these platforms, leading to a higher volume of auditions that casting directors need to sift through. This has led many casting directors, including Elaine, to rely more on trusted sources for casting. She prefers to cast through her trusted sources to ensure quality and professionalism. However, she acknowledges that online casting can be a valuable resource for actors if they are prepared and knowledgeable about rates and terms.
Looking ahead, Elaine sees a bright future for voiceover, especially in online social media, animation, and video games. As these platforms continue to grow and evolve, there will likely be an increased demand for voiceover talent across a variety of projects.
Elaine's insights into the voiceover industry are invaluable. Her experience and expertise make her a trusted voice in the casting world, and we're grateful for the opportunity to learn from her.
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