Kahleen Crawford (Interview)
Kahleen’s childhood love of black and white films and the actors in them, and obsession with Danny Boyle’s Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, were the start of what led her graduate from Glasgow University with a degree in Film and Television with Theatre Studies.
Shortly after her graduation in 2000, Kahleen applied for a job as an agent’s assistant, but a lengthy telephone conversation led to the agent (Maryam Hunwick) instead telling her about a casting company set up a few months earlier by Gillian Berrie of Sigma Films. Kahleen started in casting the next day.
Kahleen went on to set up KCC in 2006, and in 2014 relocated down south to open the London office. Kahleen is a member of the CDG, and was proud to win the 2019 CDG Award for Casting in a Feature Film for her work on ‘Wild Rose’.
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A Conversation With Casting Director, Kahleen Crawford
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
Glasgow based casting director Kahleen Crawford is responsible for casting such films as The Angels’ Share, Weekend, and Red Road, upcoming releases Filth and Under the Skin, as well as TV’s River City.
After she finished her Film and Theatre Studies degree a...
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Kahleen Crawford: Rapid Fire
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Where do you post auditions?
Do you audition non-union actors?
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Elligible make a difference?
Where do you find readers for your audition sessions?
Do you ask for headshots ... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Do I need a hard cop of a headshot at Kahleen Crawford's office?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to Kahleen Crawford's office?
Does Kahleen Crawford require hard copies of photo and resume?
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What Backdrop Colors Do You Prefer In A Self Tape?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)What 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 f... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)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 ... -
Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Where 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 off... -
Where Do You Post Auditions?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Where does casting post auditions?
Where does my agent look at audition?
Where can I find auditions?
Where are the auditions you post?
What site do you use to post auditions?
What website do you use f... -
Do You Like Actors To Wear Costumes Or Dress The Part?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)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 auditi... -
Storytime: The One About Over Learning Your Audition
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Can I overlearn an audition?
Can I be too prepared for an audition?
How prepared should I be for an audition?
How well should I know the lines?
How locked in to my choices should I be at an audition?
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How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Is it important to be off book at an audition?
Is off book important in an audition?
Do you expect actors to be off book in an audition?
Should actors be off book at auditions?
In castings, can I read... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Actors?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director | Outlaw/King; I, Daniel BlakeWould you want a tape sent by an actor if you didn't ask for it?
Are you open to receiving unsolicited self tapes?
Will you watch a tape from me if I get a hold of sides?
Can I send random tapes to yo... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)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 m... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Representation?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)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 m... -
Has A Bad Self-Tape Reader Ever Cost An Actor A Job?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Do bad self tape readers ruin self tapes?
What is the impact of a bad reader in a self tape?
Should I retape if my reader is bad?
Are bad readers on a self tape a deal breaker?
Can a bad self tape rea... -
If I Can't Find A Reader, Can I Pre-Record The Other Character's Lines Myself?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Can 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... -
What Is Your Preferred Delivery Method For Self Tapes?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)What 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... -
Do You Like A Second Option For Each Scene When Actors Send Self Tapes?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Should 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 au... -
Do You Teach Any Classes For Actors?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Is Kahleen Crawford teaching any classes at this time?
Is Kahleen Crawford teaching actors at this time?
Any classes with Kahleen Crawford coming up?
Is Kahleen Crawford teaching soon?
What Classes Ar... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Do 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 t... -
What Should A New Actor Do To Start A Career In A Professional Way?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Any tips for new actors?
Do you have any tips for new actors starting out?
What are some steps for new actors in forging a career?
What can new actors do to make a headway in this career?
How can a ne... -
What Is Your Advice For Newcomers To Your Audition Room?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Do you have advice for newcomer to auditions?
How can newcomers stay calm in an audition room?
How can a beginner actor stay calm in the audition room?
How do I impress as a beginner actor?
What can I... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Sending A Thank You Present When You Hire Them?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)Do 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?
A... -
What Gifts Do You Love & Not Love?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)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... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director
CDGA Winning Casting Director (Outlaw/King; I, Daniel Blake)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...
