In this episode of Act Bold, I talk with John Frank Levy, a four-time Emmy award-winning casting director, whose recent book, Right for the Role, tells the tale of his long and storied career. John has been influential in shaping our culture by casting iconic TV shows like 'ER', 'Shameless', and 'The West Wing’. We get into all sorts of interesting topics, from his intuitive casting style to the importance of art in the world, and even how a good “about me” video, or The Long Slate, as I like to call it, can be an extremely useful tool for actors and casting directors alike. John shared a few stories about casting actors in pivotal roles but throughout the conversation, the thing he stressed the most was the power of authenticity, self-awareness, and personal growth in an acting career.
0:00 John Frank Levey
01:12 Introduction and Guest Welcome
02:05 John's Journey into Casting
03:38 Transition from Theater to Film
06:27 The Art of Casting
08:13 Casting for Different Shows
12:10 The Role of Authenticity in Casting
20:47 The Evolution of an Actor's Brand
24:30 Casting for Diverse Characters
27:22 Different Perspectives and Personal Experiences
27:36 The Impact of Personal Beliefs on Relationships
29:04 Navigating Differences in the Era of Cancel Culture
30:11 Personal Anecdotes: Dealing with Political Differences in Family
30:32 Memorable Casting Experiences: The Human Face of the AIDS Crisis
33:19 The Role of a Casting Director: Beyond Main Cast
34:00 Reflections on the End of a Long-Term Project
34:56 The Power of Authenticity in Acting
37:02 The Importance of Art and Storytelling
38:42 Final Thoughts: The Role of Casting Directors and the Power of Authenticity
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Recommended Videos:
➡️ Get Better Auditions & Roles: Branding for Actors https://youtu.be/soDZyNpftkI
➡️ Actions that Book Jobs - What Working Actors Do That You Should Do, Too https://youtu.be/PvDRnfDR8HM
➡️ Self Sabotage & The Actor: How to Change Limiting Beliefs
https://youtu.be/Qzk4lbok-JM
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BTW, I use Riverside to record all of my interviews and can't recommend it highly enough. It delivers much better audio and video in separate, editable video and audio files. Try it for free: https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=actbold
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Find John:
https://www.johnfranklevey.com/book
https://www.instagram.com/john_frank_levey_/
