John Frank Levey (Interview)
John Frank Levey is a casting director for John Welles Productions and is one of the most respected in the industry. Levey has won four Emmy awards (ER and West Wing) and is the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Casting Society of America. Levey is best known for his casting credits for hit TV shows like Southland, ER, The West Wing, China Beach, Third Watch, and Shameless (currently airing on Showtime). Levey started his career as a theater director with the NEA fellowship at the Mark Taper Forum and continues to direct theater in Los Angeles today.
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A Conversation With Casting Director John Frank Levey
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessJohn Frank Levey is the senior VP of talent and casting for John Wells Productions.
He has been recognized for his casting work with six Emmy nominations receiving four between ER and West Wing.
He has also...
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John Frank Levey: Rapidfire
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessWhere do you post breakdowns for auditions?
Do you audition non-union actors?
How Should An Actor Portray a Gun In An Audition
Where Do You post Breakdowns?
Where do you find readers for your audition sessions?... -
What Do You See Seasoned Actors Do Differently To New Actors In An Audition?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessWhat 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 an a... -
What Would You Say To A Petrified Actor Auditioning For You For The First Time?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessWhy 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?
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How Do You Feel About Actors Shaking Hands At Auditions?
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 casting at an audition?
Should I be shaking hands with casting at auditions?
Should I be sh... -
Where Do You Post Auditions?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, Shameless -
How Should An Actor Portray a Gun In An Audition?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessIf the scripts calls for a gun, what do I do in an audition?
Do I bring a gun to an audition?
Should I make a gun for my audition?
Will the CD provide a gun for my audition scene?
Do casting directors expect me... -
Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessDo you see non-union actors?
Do you only see union actors?
Do you see union and non-union actors?
If I am non-union, will you see me?
Does Meg Morman see non-union actors?
If I am non-union, can I still get aud... -
Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, ShamelessDo you see non-union actors?
Do you only see union actors?
Do you see union and non-union actors?
If I am non-union, will you see me?
Does John Frank Levey see non-union actors?
If I am non-union, can I still get... -
Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, ShamelessCan 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 ... -
Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessWhere 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 y... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessCan 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... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, ShamelessDo you expect an actor to follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Should actors follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Do casting directors expect an actor to follow up with a thank you not... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, Shameless -
How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessDo 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... -
What Has Motivated You To Take A Chance On Auditioning An Actor You Don't Know?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessWhat 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 actor h... -
How Do You Select Actors To Audition?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, ShamelessHow does John Frank Levey choose actors to audition?
What is the process of CDs choosing actors to audition?
What is the process of shortlisting auditioning candidates like?
How do I get chosen for auditions?
Wha... -
In An Audition, Should I Talk In The Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessShould 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 Do(s) & Don't(s) For Self Tapes?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, Shameless -
Do You Like A Second Option For Each Scene When Actors Send Self Tapes?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessShould I send a second option on a self tape?
Does casting watch second takes on self tapes?
Should my self tapes have a take 2?
Should I include a take 2?
Do you suggest I post a second take on an audition?
Sh... -
How Important Is The Quality Of My Self-Tape Reader?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessIs there a wrong quality for a self tape reader?
What kind of quality should I look for in my self tape readers?
What makes a good self tape reader?
What kind of quality should I search for in choosing a self t... -
What Background Colors Do You Like For Self Tapes?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessWhat 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 backdro... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Actors Or Representation?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, ShamelessWould you watch a tape you didn't ask sent by agents?
Will you watch a tape randomly sent by a management company to you?
If an agency sends you a tape you didn't ask, will you watch it?
Will you watch a tape ran... -
Have You Ever Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, ShamelessHas an unsolicited tape ever led to a booking?
Have you booked from a tape you didn't ask for before?
Has your office hired actors from tapes you didn't request before?
Would you ever hire an actor from a tape th...
