How To Book A Role As A Series Regular While Having No Previous Credits

How To Book A Role As A Series Regular While Having No Previous Credits

How To Book A Role As A Series Regular While Having No Previous Credits

Jennifer Rudolph
Jennifer Rudolph
10 years ago

I have been working intensely with actors for the past 15 years; first as a casting director and now as owner of The Actor’s Green Room. I tell most actors that they will be embarking on a journey if they choose to pursue acting full force. In 99% of cases, I tell people that things take time and auditioning/booking work is often a numbers game.

There are hundreds of thousands of people attempting to procure work for themselves as actors so naturally...it’s a bit competitive. In my last blog I talked about “How Applying Shark Tank Principles To Your Career Will Make You Successful” - how learning about and mastering the business is the key to success.

But once in a while someone comes along who has that “thing” that makes every hair on my body stand up. In my career, I have mentored and launched several of them. When I encounter one I feel myself doing a side-smile and my heart starts beating faster. I know inside..."this person is going to be a star”. They possess the raw material that a craftsman like myself aches to get their hands on.

In my opinion, everyone has this potential. It’s a seed that exists deep within the soul of every artist. Letting it grow is all a matter of how committed they are to getting out of their own way. The person that walks into my office who sets off fireworks is there. But even beyond that, they are that single plant blooming in the desert.

Here is the story of KK Glick.

I first met KK Glick back in 2008 which is around the time that I opened The Actor’s Green Room. KK took a class with me and right away I knew she was built for comedy, even though she was deadset on pitching herself dramatically. We had our first Career Consultation and I immediately told her to scrap her then-headshot which was generic, said nothing about her personality and I thought looked like an ad for LL Bean.

Next, I told her that she needed to embrace her side-splitting, hilarious Zooey Deschanel "type" because that was who she was intrinsically. She had me cackling the moment that we sat down and I was 100% certain that if she committed to this wholeheartedly and stopped trying to do what she thought the industry wanted, that she would find her way in and end up on a series. She balked and told me I wrong. I flat out told her that she was wrong. I told her she had the goods and to trust me.

KK had the intrinsic comedic timing that is so hard to come by. She was a “strong type” and just needed refining and ultimately...the confidence that I had in her. She had to maximize her marketability and up level her pitch to the industry. She needed to sell EXACTLY what she was going to book and she had to do it like a pro. She smiled, took a deep breath, and that was that.

KK Glick's New Headshot

KK got a new headshot which was industry standard and in line with what we talked about. With 5 years of UCB under her belt and a virtually nothing on her resume, KK began the process of honing her audition technique under the tutelage of the comedic casting directors who I told her to work with. KK felt a little unsure of herself and decided to take time off to go to HB Studios. KK came back to The Actor’s Green Room a few months later, had another Career Consultation with me and started taking classes again.

With a strong foundation of acting training and a growing skill set for auditioning for comedy, things started to happen. KK started to get called in by several casting directors. I told her that when the right role came along - she was going to get it. I told her I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a Series Regular role on an episodic. KK balked again as she thought there was no way that would happen as she still had no credits. I told her it very well could - that she was strong enough to punch a hole into the industry.

She was the complete package at this point. Her brand was defined, her pitch strong, and the marketplace was starting to respond. Everything was lined up. She just needed the right vehicle. KK auditioned for a couple of pilots and felt that she still wanted to do one more round of training. She went to the Neighborhood Playhouse's Summer Program last year.

Last September, my good friend/superstar casting director Brette Goldstein called KK in for a Series Regular role for the Bravo pilot, Odd Mom Out. After multiple auditions, callbacks and eventually a screen-test, KK booked the role. I got an email from KK showing me the article in The Hollywood Reporter.

She then said “you were right. If you build it, they will come.”

I may run The Actor’s Green Room but my core Hosts/Readers in New York is what makes us truly special and definitely contributed to KK's ascent. They are: Canedy Knowles, Jane Dashow, Debbie Troche, Kim Ramirez, Josh Hemphill, Bettina Bilger, Amy Bettina, Julia Tokarz, Chris Carfizzi, Amanda Goodman, Nichole Yannetty, Melissa Navia, Kelly Tuohy, Jevon McFerrin and Michael Bryan Hill (who relocated to Los Angeles as my L.A. Operations Manager).


Like this blog post? Please share it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email etc) by using social media buttons at the top of the blog. Or post to your personal blog and anywhere else you feel appropriate. Thank you.

As always, Jen is available to answer any questions in the Comments section below...

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About the Author

Jennifer Rudolph

Jennifer Rudolph

acting teacher, Casting Director

I have always had a passion for helping actors succeed. I spent the first 10 years of her career as a casting director under the tutelage of Jeff Mitchell and eventually became a partner at Mitchell/Rudolph Casting. I have cast over 40 films and television shows and has helped start the careers of s...

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19 Comments on Jennifer's Article

Hi! I'm jamie. And I like to get involved in acting industry and I'm currently working on my website worldswagger.com still in building stage. But what you do when you don't have any support but your own?
10 years ago
Amanda Toney - Next Level Education
Director of Operations, Producer
Hey Jamie, this is also a great community to give you support, encouragement and advice. Don't hesitate to utilize Stage 32! :)
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
Hi Jamie - You have to forge relationships with the industry and put yourself out there. Opportunities will not happen in a vacuum.
10 years ago
Inspirational! The concept of swimming in a sea and not really knowing if you are a minnow or a shark .... I question this everyday. Exellent educational information.
10 years ago
Jeanne Young
Actor, Producer
Thanks so much Jennifer for sharing this. I am always ready for a good dose of inspiration... I too believe whole heartedly that we can do anything we put our minds and heart into. I would LOVE to to have a career consultation with the likes of you someday :)
10 years ago
Eric D. Mayhall
cinematographer, director, director of photography, filmmaker, first assistant camera, photographer (still), second assistant camera
Jennifer I am a DP and am starting to direct , I was wondering in your opinion would it help me to maybe take an acting class or get a small part in something so that I may understand how to get the performance I want out of my actors ? What are your thoughts and suggestions ? I am in Arizona and am working in LA often. Please help!
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
Hi Eric. I think an Acting class with a master actor/director would be great for you. Also...I work with a guy in NYC (who does Skype sessions) who is an actor/director who could definitely help you. His name is Clyde Baldo. http://clydebaldoactingcoach.weebly.com Let me know!
10 years ago
Leah Levy
Director, Filmmaker, Editor, Sound Editor, Screenwriter, Videographer, Camera Operator, Cinematographer, Crew, Director of Photography, Field Recordist, Foley Artist, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator, Actor
Just got to this post now...beautiful story, Jennifer. Aside from those few that naturally just "wow" us, I agree 100% that most people with a desire and properly directed can be "a star". (most people don't know exactly where they shine--we tend to judge ourselves differently and see our talents with blinders--at least half the time!) Amazing you see it and guide folks in the path to success. What a great job helping others. Keep making people shine! :-) best :-)
10 years ago
And please pass along my most hearty congratulations to K.K.
10 years ago
Jennifer. I am a 72 year old that has had featured roles in both drama and comedy and I definitely like comedy the best. Few people know what it takes to be really funny and that it is MUCH harder than drama. I Although my honors have come in the legitimate theater with a Shakesperian tavelling company, I still hope to add a recurring role in a comedy series to my "bucket list". To learn a LOT more about this old and battle scrarred veteran of both the stage and film, please visit dancorley.com and see why I hold a dual citizenship and a title.
10 years ago
Erik A. Williams
actor, voice artist
There's only one real way to do that which is to sleep your way in. Otherwise this article is bunk. You'll notice the whole thing is an ad for the CD's "Actors Green Room" which is a series of workshops costing thousands of dollars. If that woman hadn't paid for those workshops, the CD wouldn't have even bothered blinking in her direction.
10 years ago
Olga Kalashnikova
Actor, Producer
Love the story! THANKS Jennifer :) It just proves once again that actors need a great coach and a team. Often we don't know where our greatest strengths lie and it takes a person with an eye for it to point it out and encourage us actors to build our brand and treat our career like a business.
10 years ago
Jackie Kirkpatrick
Camera Operator, Production Assistant, Crew, Teleprompter, Videographer
Great article. I've always wanted to go into acting and felt that it is who I am, but I have the disadvantage of location and no way of getting out of that location to find the right people to help me.
10 years ago
Insightful & helpful regarding skills,image,courage,etc. Great read. I can see some comparisons to myself in some ways. But still I (like other actors as well I'm sure) have to consider what you can or can not do if film is no longer present in your area as before , and you are not in the position to pack up and follow it around. If there's no opportunity to test your qualities....That's a forum topic I need to find.
10 years ago
Extremely inspiring! Thanks.for the great post
10 years ago
Joyce E McMillan
actor, director, playwright, Casting Director
Thank you for the article. I marvel at how that happens for some people. I could sure use you to pinpoint exactly what my strengths or gifts are that will give me the break are, so I can't stop spinning my wheels. I don't know if it's behind the scenes as a playwright, director, casting director or on stage portraying a sassy mouth, dry humor, middle aged woman. I do love doing them all! Don't want to believe that I've missed my season.
10 years ago
David Levy
Screenwriter, Content Creator, Host/Presenter
Great inspriational story! I am an aspiring writer who always wanted to get into acting. When I was younger, I did a few auditions for a talent agency in NYC. They never used me due to eye and vision issues even though they kept telling my parents I could be the next Scott Baio. I would love to pursue that at some point and pick your brain. I am in North NJ and so glad I live close to NYC! Thank you for providing nitro to add to my fire!
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
You're welcome!
10 years ago
Travis Barrett
Actor, Voice Actor
I would like to say that is interesting how you read that girl and 100% estimates what kind of material she possessed, by the comments and critique from the friends I have, I can compare myself to her. I would like to get a start somewhere but with no credits, or an agent. but soon I will hopefully have something big like a lead or something , I have learned years ago to not give in to losses and keep pursuing.
10 years ago
So splendid, Jennifer. You're making the world a better place through your effort and insight.
10 years ago
Rebecca Faiola
Actor, Musician, Singer, Comedian, Theatrical Producer
Nice article Jen. I just need to be in NY or LA where this can happen! LOL The SF Bay Area is much different!
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
Ready when you are :)
10 years ago
Love following your work and insights with Actor's Green Room Jen! Great blog!
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
Thanks Ally!
10 years ago
HI Jennifer, fantastic article, I just wish I had someone like you in my corner. Got 3 weeks in NYC in July, maybe I'll pop in and see the Actors Green room
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
Sounds groovy!
10 years ago
Cali Gilbert
Photographer (Still), Author, Director, Screenwriter
Great piece Jennifer, and you nailed it. The most difficult thing for us artists to do, yet the MOST crucial is to just get out of our own way. I'm one of those who believes we can do ANYTHING we set our minds to. Cheers! www.CaliGilbert.com
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
Thanks!
10 years ago
Hi Jennifer, thank you for your inspiring blog - I shall be passing it on to my daughter, she's 17 and loves acting.
10 years ago
Jennifer Rudolph
acting teacher, Casting Director
Thanks guys!
10 years ago
Brian Anthony Wilson
Actor, Performance Coach, Voice Artist
Jen, Thanks again for 'dropping some serious knowledge'. Respect, baw
10 years ago
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