Secrets from the Casting Couch

Seminar: Directors and Casting Directors

In this seminar casting director and author Nancy Bishop shares information from her new book, Secrets from the Casting Couch. She is joined by Michael Bassett, director of the upcoming blockbuster Solomon Kane, (released in UK cinemas in Dec 09) starring James Purefoy, Max von Sydow and Pete Postlethwaite. Discussion will focus on how directors and casting directors work together to cast a project. Clips will be shown from Solomon Kane, on which Michael and Nancy collaborated. Topics covered will include, how actors can best forge a relationship with industry professionals, strategies for success at castings, and how casting decisions are made. The seminar will be followed by a question and answer session, book signing, and then please join us for a wine reception. Secrets from the Casting Couch will be available at a discounted price.

Michael J. Basset, is a writer and director, his former projects include Deathwatch (Jamie Bell, Kris Marshall, Andy Serkis) and Wilderness (Sean Pertwee).

Nancy Bishop (C.S.A.) is an Emmy nominated American Casting Director who has cast supporting talent in Europe for over 60 films, including the recently released G.I. Joe, and Prince Caspian. She is chair of the Prague Film School Acting Department. www.nancybishopcasting.com

Where: The Actors Centre, London, 1a Tower St,London, WC2H 9NP

When: Monday, 7 September, 09

Time: 3pm- 5pm, followed by a wine reception.

Tickets: £12 bookclass@actorscentre.co.uk

Thanks to everyone who attended the Casting Symposium at the Edinburgh Fringe sponsored by Spotlight. I think it was very interesting and informative. I had hoped to get a transcript up on line but unfortunately it’s looking like the tapes may have been wiped when I went through security on the plane. I’m sending them back to Scotland to see if they’ll play there…

I also got to hang out with Anila, a talent agent who knows every actors in Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia.

Thanks to everyone who came to my book signing in Edinburgh. I have to say that I really have to work on my technique. I mean I look like I’m about to eat my potential readers in this photo… though my colleague Helen Raw is looking a bit friendlier but in a drugged out sort of way.

I’m back in Prague and now that I’m here I need to go to the circus since it’s that time of year… but life is a circus for me right now.

CASTING SYMPOSIUM

FROM FRINGE TO THE SILVER SCREEN;

Superstars Jude Law, Gerard Butler, Hugh Grant, Ricky Gervais and Rachel Weisz all started their careers at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Spotlight, the UK’s leading casting service, sponsors this casting symposium; a panel of theatre and film professionals will discuss how actors can use the Fringe to launch a career.

Listen to leading casting directors, agents and promoters discuss the differences between casting in Film and Theatre, and how can actors branch out from theatre to screen work. This two-hour symposium will begin with a moderated discussion followed by a question and answer session from the audience.

Moderator: Pippa Harrison, Spotlight.

Panelists:

Nancy Bishop,C.S. A, Casting Director(US/Europe); credits include Prince Caspian, and author of “Secrets from the Casting Couch”

Sam Jones, Casting Director (UK); formerly Head of Casting at the RSC, recent TV credits include Occupation for BBC1 and Above Suspicion for ITV.

Tim Hawkins, Manager of Press Office, and formerly acting Chief Executive of the Fringe.

Kate Staddon,Talent Agent at the Curtis Brown Agency, London.

Lucinda Syson, Casting Director (UK). Credits include, Children of Men and Batman Begins.

Place: Festival Theatre, 13-29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT.

Date: Wed, 19 August, 2009.

Time: 11AM- 1PM

Tickets: £10, Seats are limited. To order tickets ahead, http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=17029

Louise and I are canceling the castingworkshops@hotmail.com address. Someone has hijacked it so please ignore any emails you get from that address. The legitimate addresses from me end in nancybishopcasting.com, or if you’re trying to book the London class: louisebolton@gmail.com

Launching new book, “Secrets from the Casting Couch”

Sarejevo Film Festival, Talent Campus, 14-17 August. Casting Master Class

Edinburgh, CASTING SYMPOSIUM; FROM FRINGE TO THE SILVER SCREEN

19 August, Wed: Festival Theatre, 13-29 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT.

Time: 11AM- 1PM

Listen to leading casting directors, agents and promoters discuss the differences between casting in Film and Theatre, and how can actors branch out from theatre to screen work. This two-hour symposium will begin with a moderated discussion followed by a question and answer session from the audience. Sponsored by Spotlight.

Tickets: £10, Seats are limited. To order tickets ahead, click here.

Edinburgh, 20 August: Book Signing and Party! Come for a glass of wine, say hi to Nancy and get a signed copy of Secrets from the Casting Couch for a discount.

Belushi’s Bar. Time: 3-5pm.

9 -13 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE

Sterling Scotland, 3 Sept. 7:00 PM, Tollbooth,

Off the Page Book Festival, “An evening with Nancy Bishop,” presenting Secrets from the Casting Couch.

London, England. Sunday, 5 Sept, Sat

Film Acting Master Class; Developing an Inner Monologue

Contact: application@nancybishopcasting.com, to apply

London, England. Monday, 7 Sept

The Actors Centre:

Secrets from the Casting Couch promotion seminars and signing.

2pm-3pm: Seminar: Strategies for online marketing: This one-hour seminar will focus on strategies for actors to promote themselves in an increasingly competitive market. Seminar is following by a book signing where you can purchase Secrets for a 20% discount.

Where: The Actors Centre.

Tickets: £10 bookclass@actorscentre.co.uk

Book sales: Buy Secrets from the Casting Couch for a 20% discount.

4pm-5pm: Seminar and Book Signing II

Subject: Directors and Casting Directors

Nancy is joined by American film and TV Director Duane Clark. Discussion will focus on how directors and casting directors work together to cast a project. Clips will be shown from the new American/British TV series The Philanthropist, starring James Purefoy, on which Duane and Nancy collaborated.

Time: 4pm- 5pm, followed by a wine and cheese reception.

Tickets: £10 bookclass@actorscentre.co.uk

5pm, Wine Reception. Yay!

Prague, Czech Republic. Thursday. 17 Sept, 5pm

Secrets from the Casting Couch, BOOK LAUNCH AND PARTY!

The Globe Bookstore, Pstrossova 6, Prague 1,

Join us at the Globe Bookstore for a short panel discussion about casting and actors working in Prague. Author and casting director Nancy Bishop is joined by Czech actor, Pavel Kriz, who has worked on numerous international productions. Screen International journalist Theo Schwinke will moderate a discussion about casting, Prague actors and the Prague film scene. A book signing by the author and illustrator Bonnie Glover will follow.

Time: 5:00pm Discussion, followed by book signing and wine reception, Yay!

Athens, Greece. 19-20 Sept.

Book launch and Film Acting Masterclass. See http://www.iwanet.biz/ or write to Sophie Papadopolous: sophie@iwanet.biz

Drama, Greece. 21-26 Sept.

Drama Greece Short Film Festival,

I will be a jurist and lecture on the Talent Campus.

CASTING SYMPOSIUM

FROM FRINGE TO THE SILVER SCREEN;

Superstars Jude Law, Gerard Butler, Hugh Grant, Ricky Gervais and Rachel Weisz all started their careers at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Spotlight, the UK’s leading casting service, sponsors this casting symposium; a panel of theatre and film professionals will discuss how actors can use the Fringe to launch a career.

Listen to leading casting directors, agents and promoters discuss the differences between casting in Film and Theatre, and how can actors branch out from theatre to screen work. This two-hour symposium will begin with a moderated discussion followed by a question and answer session from the audience.

Moderator: Pippa Harrison, Spotlight.

Panelists:

Nancy Bishop,C.S. A, Casting Director(US/Europe); credits include Prince Caspian, and author of “Secrets from the Casting Couch”

Sam Jones, Casting Director (UK); formerly Head of Casting at the RSC, recent TV credits include Occupation for BBC1 and Above Suspicion for ITV.

Tim Hawkins, Manager of Press Office, and formerly acting Chief Executive of the Fringe.

Kate Staddon,Talent Agent at the Curtis Brown Agency, London.

Lucinda Syson, Casting Director (UK). Credits include, Children of Men and Batman Begins.

Place: Festival Theatre, 13-29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT.

Date: Wed, 19 August, 2009.

Time: 11AM- 1PM

Tickets: £10, Seats are limited. To order tickets ahead, check soon for info.

I was just in NYC and for the second time saw The Moth. It’s a format for simple story telling and people line up around the block to see it. I’m so impressed that even in this age when entertainment is so ready made and available, people are still allured by the power of a story. It’s like sitting around a camp fire. Anyone visiting NYC or LA, should visit it and even try to tell a story.