Amanda Mitchell (Interview)
Originally from Singapore, Amanda Mitchell worked in the film and television industry for four years before migrating to Australia. She cut her teeth working with Australian casting legend, Christine King, as a casting associate on hugely successful projects such as The Dressmaker, Kill Me Three Times, Red Dog: True Blue and Marco Polo.
In 2016 she opened up her own casting house MITCHELL CASTING.
Since then she has worked on hundreds of hours of Australian and international television and film, which most recently includes season two of ABC’s hit series Harrow and The Secret She Keeps.
She is proud of her work in the Australian feature Never Too Late (starring Jacki Weaver and James Cromwell) and Shannon Murphy’s SBS miniseries, On The Ropes. Her work on ABC’s Pulse was peer-nominated as a CGA finalist for Best Casting in a Drama / Miniseries. She is currently working on a Netflix series, and NBC’s Young Rock.
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A Conversation With Casting Director Amanda Mitchell
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogAmanda Mitchell is an Australian casting director with over a decade of experience.
She cut her teeth working with Australian casting legend, Christine King, as a casting associate on hugely successful project...
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Amanda Mitchell: Rapidfire
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogWhen casting, where do you post breakdowns for auditions?
Do you audition non-union actors?
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Elligible make a difference in casting?
Where do you find readers for your audition sessio... -
What Are Some Do-s & Don't's For Actor Demo Reels?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogWhat makes an effective demo reel?
What should I not do in my demo reel?
What should I avoid in my demo reel?
What makes a great demo reel?
Is my demo reel good enough?
Is my demo reel effective?
How can I put t... -
How Do You Select Which Actors To Audition?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogHow do you select people to audition?
What makes you decide to bring an actor in to your office to audition?
What makes you decide to choose an actor to audition?
What is the selection process for choosing actor... -
What % Of Actors Auditioned Are Working Actors vs New Talent?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogHow many new actors vs working actors do you see?
What’s the percentage of new actors vs working actors that you audition?
How many new actors do you see for a role?
How many actors you already know are in the c... -
What Would You Say To A Petrified Actor Auditioning For You For The First Time?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogWhy am I nervous in an audition?
Why are first time actors nervous at audition?
What makes an actor nervous in an audition room?
What does nerves mean for an actor in audition?
Why do I get nervous at casting?
W... -
Should Australian Actors Have a Script Copy In Their Hands For Auditions?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogCan I hold my script in Amanda Mitchell's Office?
When I go to Mitchell Casting, is it preferred if I hold the script?
Do expectations of producers change if I am off script?
If off script preferred at Australia... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogCan actors improv in audition?
Can I add a button at the end of my audition?
Can I paraphrase in auditions?
Can I improvise in my audition?
How much can I paraphrase in auditions?
Do I have to follow the script ... -
Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?
Anya Colloff
Emmy Winning Casting Director | New Girl, Monk, WeedsCan I bring props to an audition?
Who provides props at an audition?
What props should I bring to a casting?
What props can I use at a casting?
What props is OK to bring to casting?
What props aren't too much in an audition?
At a... -
Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogWhere do you look for readers?
Who read for your actors in auditions?
At auditions, who is the reader?
Can I be a reader for your auditions?
Where can I regifted to be a reader for auditions at CD offices?
Do yo... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogI bombed my audition - what should I do?
Should I apologize to casting about a bad audition?
After a bad audition, should I apologize?
Should I check in with casting if I bomb an audition?
I bombed an audition -... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogShould actors follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Do casting directors expect an actor to follow up with a thank you note after auditions?
Should actors followup with thank you notes after an audi... -
How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogDo I need to be off book?
Should I know all my lines for my auditions?
Can I read from the sides at my auditions?
How well should I know my lines at your office?
Can I hold the script and read my audition?
Do I ... -
In An Audition, Should I Talk In The Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogShould I stay in accent the whole audition?
Should I arrive in character to an audition?
Should I stay in character during an audition?
Should I speak in the character's voice before and after my audition?
Shou... -
What Are Some Dos & Don'ts For Actor Headshots?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogHow do I shoot a winning headshot?
What do you look for in a great headshot?
What is the recipe for success of an effective actor headshot?
How do I make my face stand out in my headshot?
Any tips on how to take... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogDo I need a hard cop of a headshot at Amanda Mitchell’soffice?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to Mitchell Casting?
Does Amanda Mitchell require hard copies of photo and resume?
Does Amanda Mitchell re... -
What Are The Traits Of Actors You Cast The Most & Why?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogWhat do you love the most in your regular actors?
What is common to actors you bring in regularly?
What you look for in a trusted actors?
What makes you bring an actor in again and again?
What do you look for in... -
Do You Teach Any Classes?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogIs Amanda Mitchell teaching any classes at this time?
Is Amanda Mitchell teaching actors at this time?
Any classes with Amanda Mitchell coming up?
Is Amanda Mitchell teaching soon?
What classes are you teaching ... -
If I Can't Find A Reader, Can I Pre-Record The Other Character's Lines Myself?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogCan I tape my own voice reading the other role's lines for a self tape?
When I can't find a reader can I record on my own?
Can I tape a self tape without a reader?
If I can't get another actor to read opposite, ... -
What Are Some Do(s) & Dont(s) For Self Tapes?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogShould I stay in accent the whole audition?
Should I arrive in character to an audition?
Should I stay in character during an audition?
Should I speak in the character's voice before and after my audition?
Shoul... -
How Long Do You Watch A Self Tape Before You Know They're Not Right?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogHow much say do you have in the final casting decision?
Do you get a say in the final casting decision?
Does casting have a say in the final decision?
Do casting directors get a say in the final decision?
Do CDs... -
What Is Your Preferred Delivery Method For Self Tapes?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogWhat method should I submit my tape via?
Should I post my self tapes to You Tube to give to casting?
Should I post my self tapes to Vimeo to give to casting?
Should my self tapes be downloadable?
Do I make my se... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogDo you remember hiring from an unsolicited self tape?
Do unsolicited tapes work?
Do actors book from unsolicited self tapes?
Can I book by sending an unasked for tape to casting?
Would you ever book me if my tap... -
What Backdrop Colors Do You Prefer In A Self Tape?
Amanda Mitchell
Casting Director | Harrow, Young Rock, The Secret She Keeps, Red DogWhat backdrop colors are best for self tapes?
For self tapes, what backdrop color should I choose?
Is blue best for self tapes?
Is a grey background best for self tapes auditions?
What color is best for backdrop...
