Carmen Aiello (Interview)
Carmen Aiello was born to an exuberant French mother and a vivacious Italian father. It seems from the start, he was born to love life. Never content to be a mere observer, Carmen started in theater and dance at a young age, taking classes in both art forms and winning lead roles in major productions by the time he was 15 years old.
From this young age, Carmen learned how to use adversity to his advantage, allowing his experiences inform-and transform-his performances Carmen graduated as valedictorian of nationally recognized Colorado's Finest Alternative High School. Not only did the school's President ask him to deliver a graduation speech, but also Carmen received a full Pell Grant upon graduation with help, advocacy and assistant from the NAACP who told him "...we help all minorities, not just people of color."
Carmen moved to Chicago where he worked with numerous directors, actors and theaters, doing everything from acting to casting. It was in Chicago that Carmen's focus shifted from performance to advocacy. Carmen cast more than 40 AEA stage productions at NEXT, Wit, Raven and Piven Theaters.
In 2008, Carmen moved to Los Angeles determined to make a name for himself within TV/FILM. Where others saw difficult economic times, Carmen made opportunities. He cut his L.A. teeth at Alliance Atlantis as a casting assistant, where he helped cast CSI: Miami.
Carmen quickly moved into feature films, casting such productions as Excision, which was featured at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. In 2013, In Security premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival and Gutshot Straight premiered at FOX. His casting for Truth In Journalism was seen at Comic Con 2013. Recent projects include taking various producing titles as well as sole casting director of Adi Shankar's Gods and Secrets, Corbin Nash and Espionage TV.
Carmen works everyday, paying homage to that which he's always loved-art, expression, theater, film and the fine art of acting.
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A Conversation With Casting Director Carmen Aiello
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Carmen cast more than 40 AEA stage productions at NEXT, Wit, Raven and Piven Theaters.
In 2008, Carmen moved to Los Angeles and cut his L.A. teeth at Alliance Atlantis as a casting assistant, where he hel...
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Carmen Aiello: Rapidfire
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
How Many Actors Would You Suggest To The Filmaker?
Should an actor follow up with you after an audition?
If an actor truly bombs an audition, should they reach out to apologize?
Do filmmakers often sugg... -
What Can An Actor Do To Make A Good Impression In An Audition Room?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
How can an actor Impress In the room?
Any tips for me to make a good impression at my audition?
How can I make a good impression in an audition?
How do I make a good impression on a casting director?
Any i... -
Should An Actor Follow Up With You After An Audition?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
If I don't have an agent should I follow up with Carmen Aiello?
Can I follow up with casting?
Will a casting director take my call in the context of following up my audition with them?
If my audition went ... -
What Do You See Seasoned Actors Do Differently To New Actors In Auditions?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
What do professional actors do differently to new actors in an audition?
What separates the professional actors from new actors in an audition?
How can you tell a professional actors from a new actor in... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Shaking Hands At An Audition?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Do you expect actors to shake hands with you at an audition?
Should actors shake hands with you at an audition?
Should actors avoid shaking hands with you at an audition?
Is it rude to not shake hands with... -
Do Filmmakers Often Suggest Actors For You To Audition &/Or Meet?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
In the beginning of your casting process, do you take suggestions from the director?
Is everyone called in for casting your choice?
You chooses who comes in to a casting?
When does a director's choice ente... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Can 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 s... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
I 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 audi... -
What Has Motivated You To Take A Chance On Auditioning An Actor You Don't Know?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
What Made You Take A Chance On An Actor You Don't Know?
When do you take a chance on new actors?
Why would you take a chance on a new actor?
Would you ever take a chance on a new actor?
What would a new ac... -
In An Audition, Should I Talk In The Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Should 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?... -
What Are Some Tips For Actors When They Are On A Film Or TV Set?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Do you have tips for actors when they are working on set?
What can I do to be a better actor when I'm on set?
Do the casting directors have some tips on what I can do to be rebooked after working on set?
H... -
What Gifts Do You Love & Not Love?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
What gifts do you not like?
What gifts are too much?
Do you expect thank you gifts as a casting director?
Are cards enough as a thank you gift to casting?
Do cards look cheap from a casting director POV?... -
When You Disagree With The Filmmakers, Do They listen?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Do you feel hear by filmmakers when there is a disagreement on casting?
How much sway do you have on casting in the overall process?
Do you have much input into the filmmaker's final decisions?
Does Carmen... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Do I need a hard copy of a headshot at Carmen Aiello’s office?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to Carmen Aiello’s office?
Does Carmen Aiello require hard copies of photo and resume?
Does Carmen A... -
How Many Actors Would You Suggest To A Filmmaker?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
What is the average number Carmen Aiello will shortlist for a director?
How many actors does Carmen Aiello take to a film director?
Of all the people Carmen Aiello considers, how many ideas will he show a ... -
Are You Open To General Meetings?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Does Carmen Aiello do general meetings?
Can I do a general meeting with Carmel Aiello?
Are general meetings with Carmen Aiello a thing?
Can I get a general meeting with Carmen Aiello?
Is it possible to get... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Actors Or Representation?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Would you watch a tape you didn't ask sent by agents?
Would you want a tape that you didn't ask for if it was sent by an agent you trusted?
Do you watch tapes sent by management if you didn't request them?... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Do 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 ... -
Do You Like Actors To Wear Costumes Or Dress The Part?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Should I dress in full costume at a casting?
Can I costume for an audition?
Should I wear full costume at a casting?
At a casting, can I go full costume?
Would you recommend, full costume at an audition?
A... -
What Are The Roles & Duties Of The Casting Positions In Your Office?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
What are the roles in a casting office?
What are the roles & duties of the various casting positions in your office? (which person does which task?)
Who does what in a casting office?
In a casting office, ... -
At A Director's Call Back Who Will Likely Be In The Room?
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
Is the CD at a director's call back?
Are producers present as a director call back session?
Who is in the room for a director's call back?
Is it just the director at a director call back?
Who on the creati... -
Storytime: The One About Fourth Grade
with Carmen Aiello, Casting Director & Producer | Excision, Gunshot Straight & Corbin Nash
