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... -
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... -
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... -
Do You Like Actors To Wear Costumes Or Dress The Part?
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?
At an audition, can I wear full costume?
Is full costume encouraged at an audition?
How extre... -
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... -
What Are Some Do(s) & Don't(s) For Actor’s Headshots?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessHow 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 tak... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Sending A Thank You Present When You Hire Them?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessDo you like actors sending a thank you present when you hire them?
Do you expect actors sending a thank you present when you hire them?
What are your thoughts on thank you card presents from actors?
Are thank y... -
What Are Some Do(s) & Don't(s) For Actor Demo Reels?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessWhat 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 ... -
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... -
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... -
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 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 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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | E.R., The West Wing, ShamelessDo I need a hard copy of a headshot at John Frank Levey’s office?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to John Frank Levey’s office?
Does John Frank Levey require hard copies of photo and resume?
Does John... -
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... -
What Is Your Preferred Delivery Method For Self Tapes?
John Frank Levey, Casting Director C.S.A
Emmy Winner | ER, The West Wing, ShamelessWhat 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 sel...
