Casting Confidential

Rose Rosen sits down with casting director, entertainment strategist and creative producer Robert Martin Jr. and international casting director Luci Lenox for one of the most grounded, honest conversations about AI that actors actually need to hear. Not the fear version, not the hype version — the real one.Together, they break down what AI is actually doing inside casting offices right now, why your online presence matters more than ever, how to protect yourself and your work in the age of large language models, and why the self-tape era is demanding a whole new set of skills from performers. The conversation also includes a live coaching segment featuring actor Claire Schoonover, with real-time feedback on eye line, connection, and performance — the kind of insight you rarely get from the outside looking in.If you've been wondering how to stay relevant, stay protected, and stay human in an industry moving faster than anyone predicted, this episode is your starting point.Sponsor: Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.SPONSORS:Rafy App@rafy.appVeriCast Actor'sPro Expo@actorsproexpoCREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen@roserosencastingGUESTS:Robert Martin Jr.@therobbyjrLuci Lenox@luci_lenox@theactorshomeFeedback Actor:Claire Schoonover@brownschoonEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonpatreon.com/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

Today on Casting Confidential the roundtable shares their struggles with Imposter Syndrome and how they've overcome self-doubt to find success.That's a wrap on Season 1 of Casting Confidential, thanks for joining us! Season 2 premiers this Fall with even more casting secrets and roundtable conversations!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CASTING CONFIDENTIAL:Join veteran casting director Rose Rosen and her dynamic panel of industry experts in a candid, no-holds-barred virtual round table discussion. Delve into the casting business in each weekly episode of the podcast, where we reveal insights and stories from the fiercely guarded world of casting.Get ready to laugh, learn, and uncover the secrets behind the scenes that shape the creative content consumed worldwide. What do casting directors truly wish producers understood? What brings them the greatest joy? And how can actors elevate their craft to stand out? "Casting Confidential" pulls back the curtain on the reality of survival in show business. Today's Episode is sponsored by ⁠FILM TAMPA BAY⁠Do you have what it takes? Join the conversation and find out for yourself.Join us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Casting Confidential Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rose Rosen, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roserosencastingKimberly Skyrme, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyskyrme⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@loudenkubin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kimberly Ehrlich, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyehrlich4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Robin Carus, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robincarus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paisley Baker, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@coatcheck3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Artwork by:Ace Anderson ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thestripedheart⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by:Orville Wright ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ohyeahbeats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠**The opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast reflect only the opinions of each individual casting director. They do not reflect the opinions of any other official group or entity. Additionally, nothing in this show should be construed as an offer of employment.

You're doing more than ever — and still not booking. So what's actually going on?In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with Atlanta-based casting director Cheryl Louden-Kubin for a candid, no-mythology conversation about what casting directors are actually watching for — and what's quietly working against you. They dig into the difference between being seen and being hired, why getting called back repeatedly is a compliment (not a consolation), what happens when actors ghost auditions, and why your attitude in the room — or on tape — tells casting everything.Cheryl also pulls back the curtain on submission numbers (yes, up to 6,000 per role), how relationships with agents and actors actually influence decisions, and what it means to be the kind of actor casting genuinely wants to fight for.This is the conversation actors need to hear, especially if you've been wondering why consistent effort isn't translating into consistent bookings.SPONSOR:RAFY APPRAFY APPRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJOIN HEREJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.For more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Cheryl Louden-Kubin@loudenkubinEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonPatreon.com/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by two guests who understand the casting process from very different angles — and what unfolds is one of the most honest, layered conversations the show has had about what it actually takes to get hired, stay remembered, and build a career that lasts.Sharon Bialy is an award-winning casting director whose work has shaped some of the most acclaimed television and film projects of the past three decades. Her credits include Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry, The Handmaid’s Tale, Julia, El Camino, and Broadway productions including Jersey Boys and The Farnsworth Invention. She has received nine Emmy nominations and over 30 Artios Award nominations, and has spent over 25 years in partnership with Sherry Thomas at Bialy/Thomas & Associates. She has also served on the board of the Casting Society and has been a long-time advocate for inclusive casting.Karolina Wydra is currently starring as Zosia opposite Rhea Seehorn in Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus — Apple TV+’s biggest series to date — a world shaped by a global hive mind where tone, control, and presence are everything. Her work spans House, True Blood, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Twin Peaks, Sneaky Pete, and Justified. Originally from Poland and now based in Los Angeles, Karolina brings a grounded, controlled presence to every character she inhabits.Together, they get into what casting is actually watching for — in the room and on the self-tape. Sharon breaks down why she has never believed in the perfect audition, what it means to truly understand the soul of a character, and why Vince Gilligan always wants to see an actor’s first instinct before anything else.Karolina shares the remarkable story of how she landed Pluribus without an agent or manager — found by Sharon’s office in their own files after years away from the industry — and what it took to prepare for one of the most complex roles of her career.They also dig into what actors don’t always see: how casting offices keep notes for years and bring actors back when the role is finally right, why coming into the room still matters even in a self-tape world, how Vince Gilligan really works on set, how Pluribus received over 5,200 submissions for a Karolina's role, and why showing up as if you already have the job may be the most important mindset any actor can carry.The episode closes with a live feedback session featuring actor Shaun McDonald, who performs a cold read opposite Karolina — twice — with real-time notes from Rose and Karolina on presence, stakes, and what changes between takes.SPONSOR:RAFY APP | Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Sharon Bialy@sharonbialyKarolina Wydra@karolina_wydraFeedback ActorShaun McDonald@shaun.mcdonald.actorEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonOpinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

On today's episode of Casting Confidential we are buzzing on how to get on casting director's radar! From appropriate points of contact to Rose's secret on how to get her personal response, we’re dishing on how to be a hit with correspondence!Join seasoned casting director ROSE ROSEN along with her roundtable of casting directors in Casting Confidential where we bring you unfiltered, behind-the-scenes stories without the fluff! Each week we unveil the insider secrets that everyone's been dying to hear.Today's episode is sponsored by CCP MEMBERSHIPJoin the CCP Community and follow our panel on Instagram!Casting Confidential Podcast @castingconfidentialRose Rosen, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roserosen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠castingKimberly Skyrme, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyskyrme⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@loudenkubin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kimberly Ehrlich, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyehrlich4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Robin Carus, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robincarus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paisley Baker, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@coatcheck3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by Orville Wright ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ohyeahbeats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CCP DisclosureThe opinions expressed in the Casting Confidential podcast are solely the opinions of each individual casting director and do not represent the opinions of any other official group or entity. Furthermore, nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

Here's one of the hardest things to sit with as an actor: you gave a great audition — and you still didn't get the callback. So what actually happened?In this Roundtable episode of Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen , CSA is joined by casting directors Robin Carus, CSA, Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA, and Kimberly Skyrme, CSA for an honest, insider conversation about why callbacks don't always follow excellent work — and why that's not the same thing as failing.The panel pulls back the curtain on all the variables actors never see: physical matching, chemistry reads, creative politics, last-minute budget shifts, a director's personal history, and sometimes just the plain, unfair randomness of timing.They also get into why "booking the room" is a real career strategy, how casting directors remember and return to actors they love, what a post-audition thank-you note should (and shouldn't) include, and why the number of times a casting director calls you in is the real measure of your progress — not whether you booked the job.This one is practical, honest, and genuinely supportive. If you've ever been frustrated by silence after what felt like your best work, this episode is for you.SPONSORRafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Robin Carus, CSA@robincarusCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA@loudenkubinKimberly Skyrme, CSA@kimberlyskyrmeEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidentialPatreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

What does it actually look like from the director's chair? In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by casting director Robin Carus and legendary director Sheldon Epps — whose credits span Frasier, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Girlfriends, and two decades as Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse — for a candid, insider conversation about how television and theater really function.Sheldon breaks down the difference between stepping onto a long-running hit versus shaping a show from the ground up, how much say directors actually have in casting, and what separates an actor who books from one who doesn't. The panel also tackles the pressure of hit-making in not-for-profit theater, the chemistry factor in casting, and why the best auditions feel like collaboration rather than combat.The episode closes with a live cold read and real-time feedback session with actor Jill Adler — a rare, practical look at how direction can transform a performance in real time.Whether you're an actor, a director, or someone trying to understand how decisions are made on both sides of the table, this one is full of honest insight from people who have sat in every room.SPONSOR:RAFY APP: https://rafy.app/ | Code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREON Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN PATREON HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Sheldon EppsRobin CarusEditorMZ Studios:https://mzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeats:https://instagram.com/ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthat:https://instagram.com/aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidentialJoin Our Community on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

In this roundtable episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by three casting directors for one of the most candid conversations the show has ever hosted. Kimberly Skyrme, Cheryl Louden-Kubin, and Robin Carus pull back the curtain on what actually happens after actors leave the room — what casting directors say to directors and producers, how reputations are built or quietly damaged, and why your behavior from the parking lot to the audition monitor matters just as much as your performance.The conversation covers the way casting directors advocate for actors up the chain, how prior history with a performer shapes a current submission, and what it really means when a casting director isn't effusive. The guests also dig into the importance of professionalism on set, the ongoing communication breakdowns between casting and production, and why this industry is far less of a totem pole than most actors think — and far more of a cycle where everyone depends on everyone else.Honest, practical, and packed with insider perspective, this episode is essential listening for any actor who wants to understand the long game.SPONSOR: RAFY APP Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON:JOIN HEREJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.For more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHOST, CREATOR & PRODUCER:Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencastingROUNDTABLE PANELISTS:Kimberly Skyrme, CSACheryl Louden-KubinRobin CarusEDITORMZ StudiosORIGINAL MUSICOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsARTWORKAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonOpinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.