What if your obsession with “feeling the emotion”… is actually hurting your acting? Today we’re talking about the difference between feeling something… and doing something. And trust me— this one tends to make actors very uncomfortable. INTRODUCTION Hello everyone and welcome back to Casting Actors Cast! Jeffrey Dreisbach here. And today we are diving into one of the biggest acting traps I see constantly. Actors trying desperately to FEEL. Now listen. Emotion matters. Of cour

The painful disconnect nobody talks about What if the very thing your acting class praised… is the exact thing hurting your auditions? Today we’re talking about the disconnect between acting training… and actually getting cast. And trust me… this conversation might sting a little. But it may also completely change how you approach your work. INTRODUCTION Hello everyone and welcome back to Casting Actors Cast! I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach. Actor, teacher, casting director, author, po

How to Make Smart Choices Without Inventing the Movie If you’ve ever created a 10-page backstory for a 2-page audition…If you’ve ever decided your character had a childhood trauma… that no one asked for…Or if you’ve ever walked into a room feeling very prepared… and still didn’t book it— This episode might save your career. Welcome back everyone—Jeff Dreisbach here. Today we’re talking about one of the biggest mistakes I see in auditions—and I mean consistently, across al

The Clear, Controllable Way to Define Your Casting Promise What if I told you that most actors don’t lose jobs because they’re not talented…They lose jobs because no one knows where to put them. Today, we fix that—without labels, without limits, and without the word “type.” Hey everyone, Jeff Dreisbach here—welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, where we demystify the business and craft of acting so you can do your best work and, yes…book the job. Today’s episode is one I’ve

What if I told you your demo reel… the thing you’re most proud of… might actually be the reason you’re not getting called in? And your voice-over demo? It might sound great—but still be working against you. Today, we’re fixing that. Hello everyone, and welcome back to Casting Actors Cast—your backstage pass to the acting industry from the casting side of the table. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, casting director, teacher, and author of Booked It: The Actors Playbook for Getting Cast,

Understanding the Match Game Casting Actually Plays Today, we’re dismantling one of the most damaging myths in acting: that the best actor always gets the job. They don’t. The best match does. Casting isn’t a competition—it’s alignment. It’s chemistry, visual storytelling, tone, energy, and how one actor fits into an entire ecosystem you’ll never fully see from the audition room. In this episode of Casting Actors Cast!, we’re pulling back the curtain on what casting is actual

Actors don’t lose auditions because they mess up lines. They lose them because of something far quieter: apology energy. It’s the tone, the posture, the need to explain. And it sends a message you don’t intend. Today, we’re breaking down why confidence isn’t arrogance, why presence beats perfection, and how to walk into every audition like you belong—because you do. What Apology Energy Feels Like It shows up as: • nervous laughter• over-explaining choices• asking permission

Let me tell you something that might sound unfair—but it’s true. Casting starts forming impressions within the first 15 seconds of watching you. And no, it’s not about talent or perfection. It’s about presence. In this episode, we’re unpacking what’s really happening before your first line, why rushing reads as nerves, and how one small shift can instantly make casting lean forward instead of pull back. If you’ve ever wondered why some actors feel watchable the moment they ap

Why Your Tape Isn’t Working : Are Your Choices Helping or Hurting You? Hello, my fellow actors. Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors from a casting director. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, and today we are diving into one of the most important audition skills in today’s industry. Self-tapes. Specifically, we’re talking about something most actors never realize they’re doing wrong. Today’s episode is called The Self-Tape Trap: Are Your Choices Helping or Hurtin

Stop Overthinking the Moment: Start Owning It Hello, my fellow actors. Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors from a casting director. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, and today we are talking about something that quietly sabotages more auditions than lack of talent, lack of training, or lack of experience combined. Overthinking. Yes. The invisible career killer. Today’s episode is called Stop Overthinking the Moment: Start Owning It. Let me start with a truth t

How to Be the Actor Everyone Wants to Work With How to Be the Actor Everyone Wants to Work With Hello, my fellow actors! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors from a casting director! I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, and today we’re talking about something that might be the most powerful booking tool you already have… but may not even realize you’re using. Today’s episode is called: How to Be the Actor Everyone Wants to Work With. Notice I didn’t say “best acto

Today’s episode is called: “The Best Secrets of Every Successful Actor.” And I want to start by disappointing you — just a little. There is no secret handshake. No magic agent. No single audition that changes everything. But there are patterns. And after decades of watching actors succeed, stall, disappear, return, rebuild, and thrive — I can tell you this: Successful actors don’t do different things. They do the same things — consistently. Let’s talk about those things. S

Hello, fellow actors. Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors, from a casting director, who wants to help you stop fighting the word brand and start using it intelligently. Today’s episode is called: “Best Methods to Uncover Your Brand.” And let me start by clearing something up immediately: Your brand is not : A costume A headshot outfit A personality you perform Or a trap that limits your artistry Your brand is simply this: The clearest pattern of ho

Today’s episode is called: “How to Act with Irony.” And I want to start with a warning: Irony is one of the fastest ways actors sabotage themselves. Not because irony is bad — but because it’s misunderstood. So today we’re going to talk about: * What irony actually is * Why casting loves it when it’s done right * And how to play irony without losing truth FIRST: WHAT IRONY IS (AND ISN’T) Irony is not: * Sarcasm * Smirking * Winking at the audience Irony is

Hello, fellow actors. Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors, from a casting director, who wants you to stop doing weird things in the name of “networking.” Today’s episode is called:“ Five Ways to Network with Industry Pros.” And before you tense up — no, this is not an episode about: Collecting business cards Cold-emailing casting directors at 2 a.m. Or pretending to be someone you’re not Because real networking — the kind that actually works — looks n

Hello, fellow actors. Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast for actors, from a casting director, who’s seen just about everything… including this topic. Today’s episode is called: “Getting Fired by Your Agent… What Next?” And if that title made your stomach drop just a little — congratulations. You’re human. Also, you’re not alone. Let me start by saying something right up front, because I want to take the sting out of this immediately: Getting dropped by an agent

Hey amazing friends, welcome to Episode 401 of Casting Actors Cast! Wow. Three digits starting with a four. That’s not just a podcast catalog — that’s a whole archive, a resource, a library of love and practical tools for actors around the world. And I am thrilled, honored, and deeply grateful that you are here with me for this milestone moment. Four. Hundred. Episodes. Some people can’t even commit to a gym membership for four weeks — and you and I have been meeting here s

self tape auditions acting for film and television acting career advice

EPISODE #399 Stop Overthinking the Moment: Start Owning It Hey amazing people — welcome back to Casting Actors Cast. It’s me, Jeff Dreisbach, here to help you unlock your potential as an actor and a creative human with big dreams and an even bigger heart. Today — we’re tackling one of the sneakiest acting problems on this Earth. One that has taken down even the most talented people. One that shows up at the worst possible time, usually right when you hit record. We’re talking

Have you ever walked into an audition and thought, “Okay… I’m confident. I’m confident. I’m confident,” while your body is screaming, “We’re absolutely not confident!” Meanwhile, casting directors are looking at you like, “Are they… are they okay?” Confidence is one of those weird acting ingredients you can’t fake, can’t force, but absolutely need — even though most actors have no idea what real confidence looks like. Well, today we’re pulling back the curtain. Because what