Ep 76: Marci Liroff, Casting Director

Hi, thanks for joining us on Hometown to Hollywood! Today my guest on this podcast is Hollywood casting director Marci Liroff.

Marci is an independent casting director who has cast over 50 films, many of them iconic. While working at the renowned casting office of Fenton-Feinberg Casting she, along with Mike Fenton, cast such films as the Academy Award-nominated Poltergeist; Steven Spielberg’s E.T., Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.

After establishing her own casting company in 1983, MARCI LIROFF CASTING, Marci cast successful films like Footloose, St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink, The Spitfire Grill, Untamed Heart, Freaky Friday, Mean Girls, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, The Iron Giant, Vampire Academy and The Sublime and Beautiful, which she produced as well.

Marcie is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and The Casting Society of America.

 

Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:

 

• “If a director is watching your audition, & you don’t grab them immediately—BOOM!— instantly they’re going to click away.”
• “This is art, but it’s also business. And we can’t get the money from investors unless we have some sort of name attached to sell it.”
• “When someone walks in, and they look right for the part, my inner voice is going, “Please be good, please be good, please be good!”
• “I’m looking for authenticity, and honesty, and that they’re prepared.”
• “I think it’s a great idea for any actor to work with a coach beforehand.”
• “You have to be off-book on your very first audition. And you need to have made distinct choices, so I can see how your brain works.”
• “Just say, ‘I’m going to start over,’ rather than, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry,, I always do this, can I please start over?’”
• “Don’t fall apart (if you forget a line). It’s not life or death here… It’s how you react to the situation that gives us confidence in you.”
• “If you get an audition for something, and you start questioning, ‘what am I doing here, I’m not right for this,’ don’t do that to yourself… because WE see something in you that’s right for it.”
• “Maybe you’re not right for this. But we will remember you for the next thing.”
• “We’re getting thousands of submissions for each role. Thousands. If you’re one of the 50 that are called in—you’ve already won.”
• “Your only goal should be to consistently go into these rooms and be good. And start building a foundation with the casting directors, producers, & directors, so that they’ll remember you for the next thing.”
• “We bring you in because we’re your biggest fan, and we’re trying to get you this role.”
• “I think actors should watch 1-2 episodes of every TV show that’s out there. When you get an audition the night before, I’d rather see you spending that time preparing for the audition, rather than having to catch up.”
• “If you wouldn’t do it in the real world, don’t do it on social media.”
• “So much of this is mindset and perspective, and that’s the one thing that you can control.”

 

Marci’s DVD course Marci Liroff’s Audition Bootcamp, is available to purchase on her website, http://www.marciliroff.com/.

 

Here is a link to Marci’s online course on the Udemy platform:

https://www.udemy.com/how-to-star-on-tv-and-in-the-movies/?couponCode=BOOTCAMP3

 

Check them out!

 

Follow Marci here:

Website: http://www.marciliroff.com/

Twitter: @marciliroff

Instagram: @marciliroff

Facebook: @MarciLiroffFans

 

Link to “How to self-tape your audition like a rock star” HERE

Link to Deadline article about the Child Performers Protection Act HERE

Links to the 6-part article from Marci’s blog on what Casting Directors do are below:

 

INSIDE THE WORLD OF CASTING Part I

NSIDE THE WORLD OF CASTING - PART 2

INSIDE THE WORLD OF CASTING - PART 3

INSIDE THE WORLD OF CASTING PART 4

INSIDE THE WORLD OF CASTING PART 5

INSIDE THE WORLD OF CASTING PART 6

This was one of the most informative podcasts I’ve ever had the pleasure of producing, and one of my biggest takeaways is Marci’s emphasis on the importance of mindset to success. This really can’t be emphasized enough.

So much of what makes a difference in getting cast—as well as simple quality of life—is about your mindset. Every successful actor I know shares this belief.

Look for more writing and focus on mindset in upcoming blog posts, courses and books here… and meanwhile, if you are looking for immediate help in a breakthrough for your career or the career of your young actor, book a consultation with me over Skype or in person in Los Angeles. For little more than the cost of an hour with an acting coach, you can have a breakthrough in your success on this journey. I look forward to speaking with you!