Casting director presents on background acting, auditioning

By JASON KLAIBEr AND Russ TaRBy Staff writer

The founder of a casting company gave insight into the world of moviemaking on Jan. 10 with a Zoom presentation hosted through Maxwell Memorial Library in Camillus.

Annie Delano, who owns AND Casting, talked that evening about the basics of background acting for feature films and television series as well as how to get started locally as part of a free, open-tothe-public virtual session called “Lights, Camera, Extras!”

Founded in 2018, AND Casting has specialized in sourcing extras and placing those players in the non-speaking roles that are right for them. The company casts for various films, shows and commercials, especially ones shot outside major cities.

Delano said AND Casting is based around an easy-to-navigate talent database powered by “bestin-class” software that over the last four-or-so years has allowed her to hire about 15,000 people for 20 feature films and more than 50 commercials.

During the informational program, Delano went over the dos and don’ts of submitting for roles and working on a set.

She stressed the importance of looking out for casting notices and insisted that reading, listening and following emailed and inperson instructions constitutes 75% of the formula for a job well done.

With some shooting days lasting 10 to 12 hours uninterrupted, she added that patience and a positive attitude can go a long way toward heightening one’s chances of getting asked back for another part. Because of that time commitment, however, Delano suggested both showing up without others and bringing a book or tablet to pass the hours.

“But do not bring the children,” Delano said firmly. A little person on set not only distracts the parent and the other background actors but could seriously disturb the work of the producer and director.

On the other hand, some child background actors have been hired by American High, which specializes in high-school oriented comedies.

“To hire a minor, the actor needs a New York State permit and a bank account,” Delano said. “The number of hours a minor can work on set on limited.”

Delano told her Zoom audience that a few of the film extras she has hired have gone on to earn a Screen Actors’ Guild card, while all of them enjoy meeting film stars and movie producers. Extras can earn as much as $200 per day.

When it comes to filling out a profile on her casting portal, a selection of current photos that avoid filters and “crazy props” and range from casual to professional in style would be best, but dressing up for a specific role by wearing a lab coat or police uniform could lead to typecasting, Delano said.

“It’s always good to look generic in your photo so that you have the most versatile portfolio,” she said.

If your look changes from the time of your headshots, she advised to let that information be known or simply update the photos accordingly since anything out of place can make an unwanted difference.

“We’ve had times where people show up and they don’t look anything like their photo and then we can’t really use them in the role,” Delano said. “Every single background extra is important. Every single one is accounted for, planned for and thought about.”

As for video auditions for more featured roles, she said to emphasize acting ability and creativity while at the same time dressing the part and having line readers off-screen.

She further recommended posing against a white sheet or wall and putting some effort into framing and lighting for auditions and headshots.

Delano said her company takes height, age, hair color, gender, languages spoken, pets or vehicles one has, skills like ballroom dancing or piano playing, and other individual traits into consideration.

“It’s plugging people in where I think they would fit a role,” she said. “I can really tailor who we’re looking for.”

She said that sometimes there are 100 roles to fill that 200 people apply for, but at other times 150 people put in for one role.

After the availability inquiries and confirmations of booking come the details concerning the location to meet, the call time and the type of wardrobe, but sometimes those particulars arrive at the last minute because of “wonky” production schedules, Delano said.

She later said during the question-and-answer portion that her favorite aspect of the casting process is how she can pave the way for people to achieve their dreams or just have fun.

Explaining that she originally never thought she would end up working in film, Delano said the motto she lives by now is “never say no to an opportunity, within reason.”

Having earned degrees in public relations and production primarily for commercials, she was asked out of the blue one day to cast background extras for a feature film in a market away from where she lived.

“That’s how one film that I took on a whim turned into 20,” she said.

In her career so far, Delano has worked on such films as “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise” and “The Binge” from the Syracusebased film studio American High.

More about AND Casting can be found at andcasting.com, where people can sign up to be extras. To inform Annie Delano of projects in the works, email annie@ANDCasting.com.

The website for Maxwell Memorial Library, located at 14 W. Genesee St., is maxwellmemoriallibrary.org, and its phone number is 315-672-3661.

American High seeking extra

Now that American High is cranking out an average of three movies a year, the Liverpoolbased film company has a constant need to hire local extras, especially for crowd scenes.

American High’s head of production, Will Phelps, said the film company has used Delano on most of the 15 movies produced here since 2017. “She has a great ability to find local talent and help shape each scene by selecting the perfect mix of background performers,” he added.

Delano has cast extras for one of American High’s first and best movies, Pete Davidson’s “Big Time Adolescence,” as well as many others including “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise,” “I Love My Dad,” and “The Binge.”

Producer Will Phelps said American High has a particularly pressing need for extras.

“As many of our films take place in parties and packed settings, the background performers are as integral to what you see on screen as any other element in the film,’ Phelps said. “We rely on them to give authentic performances and help sell the reality of each scene. Annie has done fantastic work discovering many of these actors and elevating the ones who can really help sell a moment or reaction.”

Phelps estimates that American High productions routinely employ up to 1,000 extras per film. Two new movies are reportedly scheduled to shoot here early this year, so there should be plenty of opportunities for extra efforts.

Library assistant moonlights as extra Maxwell Memorial Library assistant Ann Cassidy has worked as a background actor in seven films, including six produced by American High.

In 2018, Cassidy appeared in “Looks that Kill,” which was also Annie Delano’s first movie with American High. She was subsequently cast in the Pete Davidson film “Big Time Adolescence” and in Kevin James’ most recent comedy, reportedly titled “The Visitator.”

Delano said casting directors seek people of all ages, diversities and types to make background scenes realistic.