Interview with Blair Hickey
I recently had the amazing opportunity to interview Blair Hickey, one of the original founders of CastingAbout - a fantastic resource that helps actors network and connect with casting directors in New York and LA. Being someone who works with agents and casting directors on a daily basis, Blair has a unique perspective on the industry and explains some amazing strategies actors can use to move their careers forward.
Key Takeaways:
Blair's Bio:
Blair Hickey graduated with a degree in theatre arts from Brown University in ‘91, and then started his acting career in New York with recurring roles on soaps and off-off-Broadway plays. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2000, he's worked primarily in television, appearing in shows such as Harry's Law, Heroes, Medium, How I Met Your Mother, Ghost Whisperer, Ally McBeal, The Practice and Chicago Hope. Along the way, he co-founded CastingAbout, the online casting and production guide. In 2004, the site was acquired by Breakdown Services, where he continues to serve as a consultant and developer.
www.castingabout.com
Key Takeaways:
- Know your brand. Blair discusses exactly how he found his own brand and the exact steps he used to capture that brand in his headshots and other marketing materials. We discuss at length how other actors can do the same!
- Give them goosebumps. Blair discusses the biggest difference between actors who get the part and those who don't, what he calls the "goosebump factor." He explains what he means by it and why it's so important.
- Know the casting process. As someone who works with casting directors all the time, Blair explains the entire casting process in great detail. Knowing this info will put you well ahead of the 90% of actors who don't know how it works!
- And lots more...
Blair's Bio:
Blair Hickey graduated with a degree in theatre arts from Brown University in ‘91, and then started his acting career in New York with recurring roles on soaps and off-off-Broadway plays. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2000, he's worked primarily in television, appearing in shows such as Harry's Law, Heroes, Medium, How I Met Your Mother, Ghost Whisperer, Ally McBeal, The Practice and Chicago Hope. Along the way, he co-founded CastingAbout, the online casting and production guide. In 2004, the site was acquired by Breakdown Services, where he continues to serve as a consultant and developer.
www.castingabout.com