We recently connected with Audrey Loeb and have shared our conversation below.
Audrey, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I try to set aside time everyday (even if it’s just 15 minutes) to do something creative, regardless if I’m actively working on a project or on a hiatus. This creative activity can be something as intricate as canvas painting to doodling on a notebook. I feel as though it allows me to fulfill that creative outlet, especially on days that are more “paperwork heavy”.
I also keep my creativity alive through my work! I try my best to watch all the new tv shows / movies, seeking out new faces and exciting talent. I truly enjoy my career and feel very fortunate to have found one that can fulfill parts of my creative side as well. Having the opportunity to see how uniquely every actor/actress portrays a role and choosing the right person for that role means everything to me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I love being a Casting Director because it affords the ability to help people pursue their craft and fulfill their dreams. However, since we began primarily working remotely, there has been some concern from actors that their auditions aren’t being watched because they’re no longer auditioning in person. More than anything, I want to reassure actors that we DO watch every tape. In Casting, we are here to support every actor and truly want nothing more than for them to succeed!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I began in Casting, I quickly learned 3 qualities that would help me thrive in the ever-changing environment that is the Hollywood Industry.
The number one lesson I’ve learned is “rely on your team and ask for help”. As quickly as mistakes can be made, those mistakes can also be fixed, but you don’t have to do it alone. It’s hard for many people starting out who want to prove they can do it all on their own. I firmly believe that admitting we have more to learn can only make us better at what we strive to succeed in and oftentimes, that means asking for help from others. We call ourselves a “team” for a reason and that’s because we’re there to support one another when needed.
Being organized is also an incredibly important skill to optimize. As in any profession, things are likely to slip through cracks without an organizational system. In Casting, when mistakes are made, it can potentially lead to a domino effect and missing one call or email could be detrimental to a project as a whole.
The third lesson I feel has helped me tremendously is, “growing a thicker skin and taking the emotions of it “. This is a tough lesson, but the benefit of learning it has only made me better at my job. Working in “The Industry”, you will work with numerous personalities and large emotions. Hundreds of people are simultaneously fighting for the same jobs and there will be times when decisions that are purely business related are taken personally. Not everyone is going to be happy 100% of the time and that’s okay, (as long of course, those decisions are approached with respect).
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I’m a huge believer in written out lists. Physically checking things off of a list gives me a sense of control when I’m feeling overwhelmed. I do this in my everyday life, as well as at work to help keep me organized. Simply being able to visualize the tasks I have at hand each day allows me to also delegate if needed or move tasks to the next day to focus on the ones that take priority.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/castingbyaml
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castingbyaml/
Image Credits
Erick Samayoa
