How Casting Really Works — and Why the DMV Is a Sleeping SAG Powerhouse | Thea Washington скачать в хорошем качестве

How Casting Really Works — and Why the DMV Is a Sleeping SAG Powerhouse | Thea Washington

What does a casting director actually do—and why do so many filmmakers misunderstand the role? In this episode of The Opening Scene, casting director Thea Washington breaks down what casting really involves: building audition systems, managing submissions, coordinating callbacks, protecting the production’s process, and helping shape authentic performances on screen. She also clarifies a major point of confusion—casting directors are paid by productions, while agents and managers are paid by talent—and explains how budgets, rates, and shortcuts can quietly damage a project. We also get into the DMV’s talent landscape (including why the Mid-Atlantic is a significant SAG region), how authenticity is built through casting, and how emerging tools and trends—like influencers and AI—are changing the industry. Follow the show: @theopening.scene Guest inquiries: theopeningscenedmv@gmail.com Chapters: 00:00 Casting and the DMV talent pool 01:48 What a casting director actually does 04:54 Casting vs agents/managers (who pays who) 18:36 Rates, budgets, and “cheap costs too much” 22:31 Authenticity case study (Young Moose / We Own the City) 29:31 DMV as a hub (SAG talent base) 33:21 Influencers, acting, and the new pressures 49:41 Self-tape fixes that instantly improve quality