What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

“When you get your foot in the door and land that first job, don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Buedel also advises to speak up. Casting is a subjective career. The ultimate decision is always made by the Director (in film) and the studio/Showrunner (in TV), but casting offices can have enormous influence on who gets major consideration. Also, Casting Directors value the viewpoints of their Associates and Assistants, and when asked for their opinion, a Casting Associate just might be the deciding factor when it comes to recommending that an Actor go through to the next round of auditions.

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

A lot of Actors think that going into casting will help them with their acting careers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Casting offices will not let their employees go on auditions or take time off to shoot a film or a co-star role on a TV show. And they certainly will never suggest one of their Casting Associates for a role for which they are casting.

What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

“Why do I want to do this?” Being a Casting Associate can be a highly rewarding job, but it’s not easy. And it requires the ongoing nurturing of relationships with Actors. Buedel stresses that anyone considering a career as a Casting Associate be certain that they are enthusiastic about working with Actors and putting in the time and energy towards their acting success.