WHAT NOT TO ASK

Here are a few questions NOT to ask a producer or director during an interview or audition, and which will almost guarantee you'll not be cast:

1. "How much are you paying for this gig?"

When it comes time for the director or producer to decide who they want to cast, THEY (the producer or director) will broach the subject of remuneration. Asking about pay at your first audition or interview makes you sound like you're only interested in the money and not the project.

Similarly, never, Never, NEVER refer to the project as a "gig" when speaking to -- or in front of -- the director and producer. It's not a "gig" to US, but rather a very important artistic and financial project which we've put our hard-earned money into and which we hope will prove very successful. Using the word "gig" to us -- or around us -- cheapens the project, is insulting, and is very disrespectful.

An actress who I was very high on casting in a lead role a couple of years ago spoke to me about "all the similar gigs" she does. It put such a sour taste in my mouth, that I went ahead instead and cast an actress with much less experience but who had shown a lot more respect for the role and the project.

2. "What's your budget for the project?"

Don't EVER ask this ... simply because it's none of the actor's business. You don't need to know how much money we're spending; that's OUR business.

If you do your homework, if you read the company's website, if you look at production photos, if you see where the company's films are being distributed, if you see where the company performs (if it's a theatre company), if you really pay attention to their casting notices (i.e., a student film normally won't be paying anything, a low-budget film probably means lunch and / or dinner on the day of shoot and a copy of the film, a Union production will mean a lot more, etc.), you should be able to have a pretty good idea of what the budget is.

Years ago I was looking for a Brian Dennehy-type for a play I was casting at the time. He lived 70 miles away from the theatre, but wanted the role very badly and was willing to tackle the commute. I auditioned him and he was quite good. All was set (i.e., how much I would be paying him, his rehearsal dates, times, performance dates, etc.) until he phoned me the next day and asked, "I'm just curious: what's your budget for the play, and how much will you be spending on advertising?" That ended it for him.

3. "Who do you already have cast in the film / show?" and "Can I have a list of names of the actors? I might know some of them."

Again, this is none of the actor's business. If it's a big budget multi-million dollar film or play, chances are you'll already KNOW, as producers will announce the fact in the trades and in their casting notices as to who is starring in the production.

Don't EVER ask a director or producer who they already have cast and if you could see the cast list. No professional company worth their salt will EVER divulge this information to someone who they don't know and haven't even cast yet. You'll come across as ballsy as hell, and you'll risk not getting cast on account of it.