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Break Into Streaming

Remember the days when “making it” meant getting your big break on a network sitcom, or landing three lines in a soap opera and hoping your character didn’t die in a freak elevator accident? Ah, the good old days... Well, guess what? Those days have streamed on by... Read More

14 mins
Jun 5

About

Remember the days when “making it” meant getting your big break on a network sitcom, or landing three lines in a soap opera and hoping your character didn’t die in a freak elevator accident? Ah, the good old days...

Well, guess what? Those days have streamed on by.

Today, the entertainment industry looks completely different. Why? Because of streaming services—Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max... I mean, honestly, if you don’t have at least four of these, are you even procrastinating properly?

Transcript

hey, they're my fabulous viewers and

listeners.

Welcome back to another episode of

casting actor's cast.

The

podcast,

video, the patios that help actors turn

their passion into performance and

their auditions into bookings.

I'm Geoffrey dries, bycasting director,

former actor, author, and your personal

tour guide through the wild, wonderful

and slightly chaotic world of show biz.

So listen, grab your kumbata,

put yourself tape, ring light on dim,

and let's dive into a topics that is,

in my view, hotter than the backstage

dressing room, with no ac

breaking into streaming

the new age of acting careers.

But first, this is that moment of the

episode where I get to say, thank you

for tuning in to casting actors cast.

It's been a pleasure bringing these

podcasts to you.

I invite you to check out the

websitecasting actors cast.

All one word dot com there's a form.

When you hit that landing page that

says, dive into the talling pool.

And when you do that,

it opens up some freebies for you.

One is a book I'm doing voice over

work.

Hundred page pdf downloadable

called conversation pieces out of the

studio.

The voiceover workshop for professional

actors.

There's also a free video you can watch

right there called casting secrets.

What they don't tell you.

Also, I'm really excited to announce

that my book

booked it.

The actor's play book for getting cast

is now available on Amazon or wherever

you get your books.

And then finally, I'm really thrilled

that the audio book is now unaudible.

Unaudible, audible

audible dot com it's also available.

So I just finished doing and voicing

that book myself.

And I think you're going to find that

really helpful as well, finding my

shout out to my good friends at actor's

connection.

And I'm thrilled to continue to have an

excellent relationship and continue to

be hosted on the Broadway podcast

network it's really been a great

journey, and I hope we have a lot of

fun together as we continue to trudge

forth into this wacky world of show

business.

So let's just say, lights and camera

and algorithm.

You remember the days when making it

meant getting your big break on a

network sitcom, or

landing three lines in a soap opera and

hoping that your character didn't die

in a freak elevator accident?

Ah, the good old days.

Well, guess what those days have

streamed by.

See what I did just there.

You should know that the entertainment

industry looks completely different.

Why?

Well, listen it's because of streaming

services.

We've got Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Prime,

apple, TV, Disney plus HBO, max.

I mean, honestly,

if you don't have at least four of

these, are you even procrastinating?

Properly,

these platforms have revolutionized the

way content is made, watched, and most

importantly, for you,

getting cast.

See, the power shift means that

streaming has shifted the power away

from traditional gatekeepers.

No longer do you have to wait 34 hours

in a casting office lobby hoping that

your agent remembered to send your

updated headshot.

Ok, I'm kidding, but understand that

today's.

Actors are getting discovered through

indie projects.

They're getting discovered through

their web series.

And yes, even TikTok,

I mean it, if you've Got Talent and

something to say, there's a platform

waiting for you to upload it.

No kidding.

See, casting directors for streaming

shows are actively looking for fresh faces.

We're talking authentic people,

unique people, people who aren't trying

to squeeze themselves into a mold, but

are confidently rocking

whatever makes them

them.

So if you've been told that you're too

weird or too niche or too specific,

first of all, congratulations, you're

exactly what streaming content craves.

I know that we're living in a time

where mainstream is just another genre,

not the only lane.

And authenticity is the new black.

I can tell you this first hand.

We just finished our 4th hallmark

movie, and we've cast and

listen we, through a wide net, opened

to really interesting characters to be

put in this film.

And so we're doing it first hand.

And here's something that's changed in

a huge way.

I think it's a matter of thinking that

authenticity

is the currency.

Audiences are craving characters that

feel real,

diverse stories, unique backgrounds,

unconventional heroes,

is the heart and soul of streaming

content.

So if you've got a specific cultural

background,

life experience or perspective,

then I suggest you lean into it.

Don't run from what makes you different,

in my opinion, that's your superpower.

And you better believe that writers and

show runners are creating content that

reflects real people, not just stock

characters from a 90s procedural drama.

Although, hey, if you do book a guest

roll on a procedural.

I hope you get to say something like,

we've got company,

and you're doing that by holding a

flashlight.

That's classic.

The self starter strategy is what I'm

suggesting for you.

So let's talk.

Strategy here's the beautiful truth.

You do not have to wait for a fancy

agent or a Spielberg backed project to

get noticed any more.

You can create your own path,

seriously grab your iPhone, some

friends and write a short film,

launch a YouTube series,

post character monologues on Instagram.

Not only are you flexing your acting

muscles, but you're building a digital resume

that casting prose are watching.

Yes, we're out here.

Lurking

it's not creepy

it's research.

Some of the biggest name in streaming

got their start creating self produced content.

Think of is array with awkward black

girl,

a web series that blew up and LED to

hbo's insecure

listen.

That all started with a YouTube channel

and just a whole lot of hustle.

You can do that.

Yes, you

think global,

act, local.

We're going to continue the conversation

right after this.

So this is another game changer.

I think streaming is global.

Your work isn't limited to what's

filming in Los Angeles or New York any more.

The world is your casting office.

Productions are happening in Vancouver,

Berlin, Mumbai,

Cape Town.

And thanks to subtitles and dubbing,

your performance can reach audiences

around the world.

I have actually seen actor's book in

other countries without leaving their apartment,

all through remote auditions.

You know, self tapes and zoom callbags.

You know what that means?

You don't have to uproot your life or

sell your car,

you don't.

You don't have to do all of that just

to chase a dream.

Sometimes all you need is a decent

lighting setup and a wi fi, a wi fi

connection that doesn't cut out

mid monologue

let's talk content.

The kinds of shows, streaming platforms

are producing

they're bananas.

I mean that in the best way.

We're seeing shows about

haunted dating Apps,

a time travelling baristas,

musical murder mysteries set in space.

I mean, what,

the stories are, bold and weird and

specific

and wildly creative.

And that means there's room for actors

who can think outside the box and

brings something special.

If you've got range,

if you love character work, if you

enjoy playing a vampire dj in one scene

and grieving astronaut in the next.

This is your time.

Believe me,

I think it's

branding without selling out.

So that let's address.

Now, the m word

marketing?

Yes, it can feel a little gross.

At first.

I admit it.

Why do I have to market myself?

I'm an artist.

Geoffrey

listen, I hear you.

But let me be clear.

Marketing doesn't mean selling out.

It means sharing who you are and what

you offer, authentically,

and creatively,

your Instagram page.

Think of it as your digital stage, your

TikTok,

your performance portfolio,

even your email signature can reflect

your brand.

Are you the quirky,

quick, witted best friend?

Are you the emotionally intensed

anti heroes

know you're lame

and let the world know you're driving

in it with the Windows down and the

music blasting.

Here's some final takeaways,

wrapping it all up in a metaphorical

streaming bow.

One, streaming has changed the game.

Opportunities are everywhere and no

longer tied to traditional gatekeepers.

Two, be authentic

casting directors are craving realness

over polish.

Three, create your own content.

You have more tools than ever to

showcase yourself.

Four, think globally streaming

platforms reach a world wide audience.

And so can you

v

market?

Smartly

it's not bragging.

It's branding.

Look, breaking into the industry has

never been easy, but it's never been

more accessible.

Streaming is no longer a trend.

It's the new normal.

And if you can learn to ride the wave

instead of waiting for some one to toss

you a lifeline.

So

go on, write that web series,

record that monologue,

post that character sketch.

Because somewhere, a casting director

is watching and thinking,

where has that actor been,

hopefully not still refreshing their

email, waiting for that one call back.

Thanks for hanging out with me to day

on casting actors.

Cass, if you found this helpful,

inspiring, or at the very least,

amusing enough to keep you from doom

scrolling,

please subscribe,

leave a review

and share this episode with your fellow

actors.

And don't forget to check outcasting

actors' cast.

Outcome for more resources, updates and

ways to connect until next time.

Keep streaming.

Keep dreaming and remember your next

big break might just be

one

click away.

I'm Geoffrey driesback, and this is

casting actor's

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