Kerry Barden (Interview)
Starting off in New York, Kerry Barden has been instrumental in assembling countless Oscar nominated and winning ensembles: Spotlight, The Help, A Winters Bone, Good Will Hunting and August Osage County.
His list of A-List films is so impressive it would be amiss to not share a few more… The Pitch Perfect Trilogy, Seven, American Psycho, Prisoners, Bad Boys II, Pineapple Express, Boys Don’t Cry, and Chocolat!
But he doesn't just cast epic films... he has cast dozens of huge tv shows, including the show that changed everything... Sex and the City.
Kerry Barden is an absolute giant of casting and we are so thrilled he agreed to share his time and insights with us.
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A Conversation With Casting Director Kerry Barden
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubStarting off in New York, Kerry Barden has been instrumental in assembling countless Oscar nominated and winning ensembles: Spotlight, The Help, A Winters Bone, Good Will Hunting and Au...
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Kerry Barden: Rapid Fire
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Where do you post auditions?
Do you audition non-union actors?
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Elligible make a difference?
Where do you find readers for your audition sessions?
Do you ask for headshots and resumes in hardcopy?
Do you like actors to wear costume... -
What Are The Important Aspects Of A Professional Self Tape?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)What are the do's and don't's of self tapes?
Can you tell me the dos and don't of self tapes?
Are there some dos and don'ts of self tapes?
What are a few dos and don'ts of self tapes?... -
Has A Bad Self-Tape Reader Ever Cost An Actor A Job?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubDo bad self tape readers ruin self tapes?
What is the impact of a bad reader in a self tape?
Should I retape if my reader is bad?
Are bad readers on a self tape a deal breaker?
Can a ba... -
What Is Your Preferred Delivery Method For Self Tapes?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubWhat method should I submit my tape via?
Should I post my self tapes to You Tube to give to casting?
Should I post my self tapes to Vimeo to give to casting?
Should my self tapes be downl... -
What Backdrop Colors Do You Prefer In A Self Tape?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubWhat backdrop colors are best for self tapes?
For self tapes, what backdrop color should I choose?
Is blue best for self tapes?
Is a grey background best for self tapes auditions?
What co... -
Do You Like A Second Option For Each Scene When Actors Send Self Tapes?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubShould I send a second option on a self tape?
Does casting watch second takes on self tapes?
Should my self tapes have a take 2?
Should I include a take 2?
Do you suggest I post a second ... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubDo you remember hiring from an unsolicited self tape?
Do unsolicited tapes work?
Do actors book from unsolicited self tapes?
Can I book by sending an unasked for tape to casting?
Would yo... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Representation?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubDoes Kerry Bardon ever watch tapes he hasn't asked for sent via an agent?
Would Kerry Bardon watch an unrequested tape from a management agency?
If my manager sends a tape randomly to Ker... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Actors?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubWould you want a tape sent by an actor if you didn't ask for it?
Are you open to receiving unsolicited self tapes?
Will you watch a tape from me if I get a hold of sides?
Can I send rando... -
How Long Do You Watch A Tape Before You Know They're Not Right For The Role?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)How long do you watch a self tape before you know they're not right for the role?
How much do you watch of a self Tape?
How much of a self tape do you watch?
Do you watch a whole self ... -
What Do You See Seasoned Actors Do Differently To New Actors In Auditions?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubWhat do professional actors do differently to new actors in an audition?
What separates the professional actors from new actors in an audition?
How can you tell a professional actors f... -
How Can An Actor Make A Good Impression In An Audition Room?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)How can an actor Impress In the room?
Any tips for me to make a good impression at my audition?
How can I make a good impression in an audition?
How do I make a good impression on a cas... -
In An Audition, Should I Talk In The Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)Should I stay in accent the whole audition?
Should I arrive in character to an audition?
Should I stay in character during an audition?
Should I speak in the character's voice before an... -
How Do You Select Which Actors To Audition?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)How do you select people to audition?
What makes you decide to bring an actor in to your office to audition?
What makes you decide to choose an actor to audition?
What is the selection ... -
What % Of Actors Auditioned Are Working Actors vs New Talent?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)What percentage of actors you audition are working actors with impressive resumes?
What percentage of actors do you know?
Do you ever seen unknown actors?
Do you see mostly new actors ... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubCan actors improv in audition?
Can I add a button at the end of my audition?
Can I paraphrase in auditions?
Can I improvise in my audition?
How much can I paraphrase in auditions?
Do I ha... -
Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubDo you see non-union actors?
Do you only see union actors?
Do you see union and non-union actors?
If I am non-union, will you see me?
Does Kerry Barden see non-union actors?
If I am non-u... -
Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubCan I bring props to an audition?
Who provides props at an audition?
What props should I bring to a casting?
What props can I use at a casting?
What props is OK to bring to casting?
What ... -
Where Do You Post Auditions?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubWhere does casting post auditions?
Where does my agent look at audition?
Where can I find auditions?
Where are the auditions you post?
What site do you use to post auditions?
What website... -
How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Is it important to be off book at an audition?
Is off book important in an audition?
Do you expect actors to be off book in an audition?
Should actors be off book at auditions?
In castings, can I read the lines?
Can I read the lines from my sides at a casting... -
Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubWhere do you look for readers?
Who read for your actors in auditions?
At auditions, who is the reader?
Can I be a reader for your auditions?
Where can I regifted to be a reader for auditi... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
Do you expect an actor to follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Should actors follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Do casting directors expect an actor to follow up with a thank you note after auditions?
Should actors followup with ... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers ClubI bombed my audition - what should I do?
Should I apologize to casting about a bad audition?
After a bad audition, should I apologize?
Should I check in with casting if I bomb an audition...
