I was listening to a podcast the other day about finding success, from a very highly successful businessman who made most of his money helping other people make money. It was a very interesting podcast, and he brought up a ton off interesting points, and one example he kept coming back to in almost every example was being an actor auditioning for a movie. This interested me very much because I wondered how much said businessman actually knew about acting (apparently not too much, which is why I will not mention who he is). Especially when he would talk about contacting the casting director and making yourself memorable to them.
      Every actor wants to know the secret to booking the job. We all want to get the work and being successful and do the projects that mean a lot to us. But if you are starting out in the industry, let me advise you to not listen to podcasts by high-power businessmen, especially when they give multiple examples about being an actor.
      To any actors starting out in the industry who many not know whether or not it is alright to contact a casting director directly instead of going through your agents: it is absolutely not. This crosses the line of your agent’s job. This guy in the podcast was suggesting for any actor to “be a better agent than your own agent,” and yes when it comes to submitting yourself to things online, do that! But, when you have an agent and are auditioning for major name casting directors it is inappropriate to contact them behind your agents back.
      This has gone so far that casting directors and agents have a strict agreement that is sometimes even put into a contract for the actor to sign. When you have an agent sending you out on auditions, they should be the ones doing the work. It is more professional that way. Sure, calling or emailing a casting director will make your name memorable to them, but not in a good way. If you are sending unsolicited information, questions, headshots, filmed auditions, to a casting director the only outcome will be that they do not want to have you audition for them anymore.
      Be professional, respect the industry as well as the people who work for you, and do not contact the casting directors that you are auditioning for! If you ever have a question for a casting director, ask your agent. Sending your agent an email or a phone call saying that you wanted feedback is totally normal and something that can be expected. Be kind, courteous of people’s privacy, and do your best in the audition room. That is the way to get your name remembered by a casting director!