Jeff's Jots | Casting Actors Cast

The Myth of the Perfect Take (and Other Actor Fairy Tales)

Have you ever done a self-tape, watched it back, and thought, “Wow…that was almost good. Let me just do… 47 more takes. ”Yeah. You know who you are. You’re the actor who ends up in a full existential crisis surrounded by discarded wardrobe choices, empty coffee cups, and a ring light that’s now judging you silently. Today, I want to talk about one of the biggest fairy tales in the actor kingdom: the perfect take. Spoiler alert — it doesn’t exist. What does exist? A truthful,

14 hours ago5 min read

What Your Self-Tape Says About You

Hey actors, it’s Jeffrey Dreisbach — and this is Casting Actors Cast ! Today’s topic is one that’s become a big part of our industry: self-tapes. You know them, you probably do them a lot, and maybe — just maybe — you wonder what they’re really saying about you. So buckle up, because I’m going to tell you what your self-tape reveals before you even start reading your first line.” Segment 1: First Impressions in a Digital World “When your self-tape hits my inbox, it’s your f

Nov 273 min read

Stop Trying to Be Good. Be Specific!

Welcome to Casting Actors Cast , where we turn good intentions into great auditions. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and today, your guide through one of my favorite acting truths: stop trying to be good. Be specific.” Segment 1: The Trap of “Being Good” “Let’s face it. Actors are perfectionists. You want to be good. You want validation. You want to walk out thinking, ‘That was solid. I nailed it.’ But here’s the thing: ‘Good’ is boring. It’s vague. It’s

Nov 203 min read

What Do Casting Directors REALLY Remember about You?

“Hey there, actor friends! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast , the podcast that helps you prepare smarter, act better, and book more. I’m your host, Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and your friendly guide through the wonderful, weird, and sometimes wobbly world of show business.” “Today’s episode is one I think you’ll really appreciate, because it answers a question I get all the time: What do casting directors actually remember about you? Spoiler alert — it

Nov 133 min read

Acting Goals That Aren’t Cringe

Okay, let’s be honest. We’ve all seen those New Year posts from actors that sound something like —“This is my year! Manifesting series regular energy! ”Or “Big bookings only in 2025!”And listen — I love the optimism. But sometimes, our acting goals start to sound… a little cringe. Why? Because they’re about results — not process. In today’s episode, we’re going to fix that. We’ll talk about how to create acting goals that actually move your career forward — without the fake

Nov 65 min read

Secret Audition Skill — Listening Without Reacting

You know that moment in an audition when your scene partner says their line… and you feel pressure to do something ? You nod. You blink. You shift your face. You give a tiny “actor reaction” — because silence feels dangerous. Here’s a little secret: sometimes, the best reaction… is no reaction at all. Today, we’re going to uncover one of the most overlooked audition skills — the ability to listen without performing your listening . This is the subtle art that separates actors

Oct 305 min read

Should You Take That Role?

You finally get the message: “We’d love to offer you the part. Congratulations!” And you freeze. Do you take it? Do you need to ask your agent? Do you even want it? Here’s the thing — actors are told from day one, “Say yes to everything.” But what if saying yes too quickly is the one thing that keeps you from leveling up? Today, we’re diving into a topic every actor wrestles with: Should you take that role? (beat) Because sometimes the smartest career move you can make… is l

Oct 245 min read