Regina Moore

Recently,  BNA Talent Group asked Nashville Casting Director Regina Moore for insight and perspective on auditions and casting calls in town.

BNA: From knowing you personally and professionally over the years and by reviewing your website (http://moorecasting.com), you are one busy Nashville casting director. Over the years of casting, what was one of your favorite projects to cast?

REGINA: It was difficult as we were casting in quite a few markets to find the talent, but I would say The Liberty Mutual Series of commercials a couple of years back. The Director was very creative and I was very excited that almost all of the talent selected were from Nashville.

BNA: As an agency, we sometimes encounter actors that don’t invest much into a professional headshot. How important, from a casting director viewpoint, is having a  professional headshot versus a picture that the actor’s friend or neighbor shot? Does it ever exclude someone from potentially being seen during a casting session?

REGINA: First impressions are lasting. I just want the photo to look like them when they walk in the casting room. An overly airbrushed professional headshot falsely representing an actor and is just as damaging as a candid shot with bad lighting. When deciding on a professional headshot, make it true to who you are. Makeup should be everyday makeup, the way you would normally wear it. The same with hair and clothing. I cannot tell you how many times I have looked at a photo and thought, “Is this the actor’s younger Brother or Sister”? This is the norm for the Director to request a digital shot at the casting of each actor, as they audition. They want an accurate representation of the actor to refer to when making choices. If you have changed hair cut or color, or gained or lost weight, please update. Many actors think “Oh, it is O.K. I still look like that!” No you do not! It shows how serious you are when you understand the importance of an accurate photo for the Talent Agent to submit and the Casting Director to consider.

BNA:  What is the biggest mistake (overall) that you encounter when an actor comes to audition for you for a project? (Either in the waiting room or in the casting room?)

REGINA: Waiting Room mistakes – While in the waiting room , I would say that talent feel they can be rude to my staff and I will not find out about it. I know the actor thinks, “Well that has nothing to do with my ability to act”. I think it has a lot to do with it. I don’t want to put my client through a day of dealing with an individual with a bad attitude. Believe me, I will get a call complaining of the terrible day makeup and hair have had dealing with the actor’s attitude and production complaining will make a mental NOT to hire that Actor again. If a client has to be on a set all day with talent and crew they want to pick the best, not only in reference to their talents, but also those that make the work day pleasant. It’s like that in every other work place setting. Those that cause waves, usually do not last very long. Casting Room mistakes – Please be prepared. If you did not get the script, which you always should have (If it was sent ahead of time), please ask when you arrive if time permits for you to get it and look it over. It depends on the way the audition has been laid out. It is a waste of your time if you are not prepared and a waste of my audition time if you want to just wing it. Also, please understand that I am on a schedule, so I will not have time to socialize, if there are other actors waiting to audition.

BNA: What are a few do(s) and don’t(s) that you wish every actor or parent understood before walking into one of your casting sessions?

REGINA: Adults – Always have everything that I have requested that you bring to the audition, promotional materials, casting sheets, etc… Know Your Script! Be prepared to make changes. Just because you rehearsed it that way does not mean that is the way the Client may want it. The key thing is seeing the Actor take direction and the ability to make changes. Parents – I will not invite you into the casting room because I will not have the full attention of your child, if you are there. Also, I have had Parents to start directing their child when I tell them what to do. That is confusing for the Child. There will only be one Director on the set. Also, if your child just does not want to be at the audition, let it go. It disturbs me to see Parents bribing their child to get through the audition. If the child wants to truly be there, bribery is not necessary.

BNA: Any last recommendations for actors or parents concerning auditioning (training, headshots, resumes, etc.)?

REGINA: Please do not expect a high school or college acting class to carry you through your career, It is a skill that must be developed and honed. Everyone wants to compete on a professional level, but are reluctant to put the time and energy into the ongoing growth required to excel in the art of acting. Preparation is required, so you will be ready when that opportunity arises. If you work a 9 to 5 job, they expect you to stay up on the skills that define your job. How is Acting any different? Take the time to prepare and know it will take time to meet your goals. Be patient, believe enough to want to be the best by preparing and waiting for you time to come.

BNA Talent Group owner, Josh Robbins, highly recommends the highly successful workshops for performers in which Regina Moore and her team at Moore Casting conduct multiple times throughout the year. There are several workshops dated to begin soon, so please visit http://www.moorecasting.com/workshops/ to take your acting craft into your own hands and better prepare yourself for the next audition!

ABOUT REGINA MOORE | MOORE CASTING

According to deadlinefilm.com/nashville: “Deadline is a powerful story of social justice, where two reporters solve a cold case civil rights murder, and we’re proud to host its premiere,” said Tennessean VP/Market Development Bob Faricy. “We hope to raise a significant sum for Family and Children’s Service.” Tickets to the Deadline World Premiere start at $25, with the option to make larger sponsor-level contributions. The red carpet arrivals begin at 6:00 with the Deadline premiere at 7:00. A Q&A with cast members, the reporter who lived and wrote the story Mark Ethridge and director Curt Hahn will follow the premiere.

The World Premiere of Deadline, the new movie starring Steve Talley and Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts, will be Wednesday, February 15th at the Regal Green Hills 16. Hosted by The Tennessean, the premiere will benefit Family & Children’s Service.

Buy tickets here.

Maisha Dyson as Vanessa Brown and Eric Roberts as Ronnie Bullock in Deadline (courtesy of Deadlinefilm.com)

BNA Talent Group‘s all-new website now includes integration with Facebook. One of the best online social ecosystems, Facebook, is about sharing content. Now, visitors to BNAtalent.com can easily share our content (our conversation) with friends.

Nashville talent agency BNA Talent Group owner and talent agent, Josh Robbins says, “It was our goal to develop a website that was an information portal to our talent community. Now, as we integrate Facebook, it continues our initiative of providing information important and beneficial to these talent. Most importantly, it allows interaction based on one of the best built open-systems: Facebook.”

Join Our Conversation at BNAtalent.com.

Congrats to both our clients, Ted Welch, who plays opposite star Bryce Dallas Howard as well as Becky Fly on both being in the feature film ‘The Help’ as well as the trailers for the feature. BNA Talent Group owner Josh Robbins shares his reactions.

TED WELCH

“It’s so great to represent some of the best actors in the Southeast,” says Josh Robbins, owner of Nashville talent agency BNA Talent Group. “It is certainly great to know that even in a market outside of New York and Los Angeles, we have strong actors that can compete on that same level. I feel like I have an amazing group of clients here that series regular types. Success stories like this certainly help solidify BNA Talent Group as a strong resource for talented actors for feature films.”

As a courtesy, Nashville talent agency BNA Talent Group is pleased to provide these casting notices for independent filmmakers, continuing our commitment to sharing information and resources with the Nashville acting community.

LAND OF TOMORROW – Casting Notice – Independent Film Shooting in Kentucky

Open Casting Call:  Saturday, August 27, 2011  (1:00pm-6:00pm)

Writer/Director: Kimberly Levin, Cinematographer: Hermes Marco, Producer: Kurt Pitzer, Executive Producer: Will Battersby (SAG Ultra-Low Budget Film – some roles paid, and of course, credit and meals provided)  Rehearsal dates: September 29th-October 2nd – Shooting dates: October 4th-29th

Location: Green Building, 732 East Market St., Louisville, KY

Looking for the following supporting roles:  BOYS (ages 8-12), GIRLS (ages 8-12), MEN (ages 18 and up) and WOMEN (ages 35-55)  - Please bring a headshot and resume (if available). No experience necessary.  For additional information, please email land.tomorrow.film@gmail.com.

(Please note: BNA Talent Group is posting this casting notice at the request of the production office. We have no further information regarding this project. Please direct all questions to the contact information provided in the specific casting.)

AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED for Raeanne Rubenstein’s short film MOLLY & THE KIDS

When:  Thursday, August 25, 2011 (from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in Room 503), Sunday, August 28, 2011 (from 12:00noon until 1:30pm in Room 608)

Where:  Watkins College of Art, Design & Film – 2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN

Roles:  2 adults, one male and one female (25-35 age range); 2 children, one male and one female (6-8 age range)

Please email headshot and resume to jazmn47@aol.com to schedule appointment for one of the auditions.

SYNOPSIS & CAST BREAKDOWN

Script Synopsis: Bill is a single man who dates a lot. He is interested in finding a woman to love, and possibly, if all seems right, to marry. A friend offers to fix him up on a blind date with Molly, a pretty 30-something woman who works at a well-known local advertising agency. Bill is pleasantly surprised when he meets her- she is pretty, and sociable, and intelligent. He likes her!  They begin to date, and at first everything goes very well. But soon, Bill begins to suspect that Molly is hiding something from him. He decides to find out what it is. But what he finds is definitely not what he expected.

(Please note: BNA Talent Group is posting this casting notice at the request of the production office. We have no further information regarding this project. Please directall questions to the contact information provided in the specific casting.)

Talent Agency F.Y.I. Blog Moment

Helpful iNFO for Actors

Nashville talent agent Josh Robbins says, “Although I haven’t had the opportunity to sufficiently congratulate every client that has been on set in the past bit, I am glad to see some of these larger on-going bookings happen for these Nashville actors and children. The market, like many other businesses and industries are struggling because of the nation’s economic hardships. These clients are some of the hardest working, most determined– as are all the clients on BNA Talent Group‘s acting roster.”

Talent industry economic hardships or not, August is a big month for BNA Talent Group’s clients, Ted Welch and Becky Fly, as the DreamWorks motion picture “THE HELP” opens nationwide on August 12, 2011. Welch was in Mississippi shooting the feature on contract for 10-weeks and Fly finished with a week’s salary. Both clients are also featured in the official trailer for the film.

via http://www.facebook.com/BNAtalent

BNA Talent Group is a television and film talent agency in Nashville, TN, however, we absolutely love theatre actors and independent film actors!

Here are a couple of Casting Calls for Theatre and an indie shooting in Nashville.
Please note that we are simply providing this information at the request of the the production and this is all the information we have. Please direct all questions or queries to the appropriate company below.

1) Auditions for a staged reading of GUESS WHO’S COMING TO SEDER? (A New Musical by Randi Michaels Block)- Musical Direction by Rollie Mains, Directed by Ted Swindley (“Always…Patsy Cline”) will be held Monday, July 11, 2011 and Tuesday, July 11, 2011 from 6-9:30pm at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 419 Woodland Street in East Nashville. 5 female actors ages 35-70 and 4 male actors ages 35-55 are needed. Two performances of the reading are scheduled at the Darkhorse Theatre on August 15 & 16, 2011. Actors should be prepared to sing one pop song of their choice. OPEN CALL or BY APPOINTMENT. For more information, please call 615-915-0891.

2) An independent film called, “Late Summer” is casting Monday, July 11, 2011 (5-9pm) and Tuesday, July 12, 2011 (12noon-5pm) at the Darkhorse Theatre in Nashville.  There is no pay for actors, however, casting has informed BNA Talent Group that this is a quality project. Actors can just show up, although it is encouraged that they schedule an audition by sending an email to line producer & casting – Shawn Whitsell – shawnwhitsell@yahoo.com. In the email, the actor should include which character(s) he/she is auditioning, as well as bring two copies of their headshot and resume.  All roles are AFRICAN AMERICAN.

• Nadia – (18-20 years old / female / AA)
• Sonya – (35-55 years old/ female / AA)
• Lynn – (20-22 years old / female / AA)
• Henry – (18-20 years old / male / AA)
• Matty – (35-55 years old / female / AA)

Nashville Talent Agency BNA TALENT GROUP is pleased to present this “BNA TALENT GROUP – F.Y.I. BLOG” for aspiring actors, as well as seasoned actors looking for new and fresh projects to maintain the craft required in our industry. For more information on BNA Talent Group visit www.BNAtalent.com – talent agency in Nashville Tennessee or Nashville talent agent Josh Robbins.

For more information on BNA Talent Group and our innovative methods of talent representation, please visit BNAtalent.com.

Nashville talent agency BNA Talent Group represents actors, hosts and personalities for television, feature films, industrials, commercials and personal appearances. BNA Talent Group opened on famed Music Row in Nashville, TN in 2009– owned and operated by veteran talent agent, Josh Robbins.