Kerry Barden (Interview)

Kerry Barden (Interview)

Starting off in New York, Kerry Barden has been instrumental in assembling countless Oscar nominated and winning ensembles: Spotlight, The Help, A Winters Bone, Good Will Hunting and August Osage County.

His list of A-List films is so impressive it would be amiss to not share a few more… The Pitch Perfect Trilogy, Seven, American Psycho, Prisoners, Bad Boys II, Pineapple Express, Boys Don’t Cry, and Chocolat!

But he doesn't just cast epic films... he has cast dozens of huge tv shows, including the show that changed everything... Sex and the City.

Kerry Barden is an absolute giant of casting and we are so thrilled he agreed to share his time and insights with us.

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Kerry Barden (Interview)
  • A Conversation With Casting Director Kerry Barden

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    Starting off in New York, Kerry Barden has been instrumental in assembling countless Oscar nominated and winning ensembles: Spotlight, The Help, A Winters Bone, Good Will Hunting and Au...

  • Kerry Barden: Rapid Fire

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A

    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 and resumes in hardcopy?
    Do you like actors to wear costume...

  • Storytime: The One About The Joy Of The Career

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

  • What Are Some Tips For Actors When They Are On A Film Or TV Set?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    Do you have tips for actors when they are on a film or TV set?
    Any tips for actors when i am on a film or TV set?
    Does Kerry Barden have any tips for talent when on set?
    Do you have a...

  • What Are The Important Aspects Of A Professional Self Tape?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    What are the do's and don't's of self tapes?
    Can you tell me the dos and don't of self tapes?
    Are there some dos and don'ts of self tapes?
    What are a few dos and don'ts of self tapes?...

  • How Long Do You Watch A Tape Before You Know They're Not Right For The Role?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    How long do you watch a self tape before you know they're not right for the role?
    How much do you watch of a self Tape?
    How much of a self tape do you watch?
    Do you watch a whole self ...

  • In An Audition, Should I Talk In The Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    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 an...

  • How Many Actors Do You Usually Present To The Filmmakers For Each Role?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    How many actors will you show the filmmakers?
    How many actors will be shown to a film maker?
    How many actors will you submit to producers?
    How many actors will you show to a tv producer...

  • How Can An Actor Make A Good Impression In An Audition Room?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    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 cas...

  • What Are The Roles & Duties Of The Various Casting Positions In Your Office?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    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?
    I...

  • How Do You Select Which Actors To Audition?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    How 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 ...

  • How Many Actors Do You See In The Room & On Tape For Each Role?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    How many actors do you see for a co-star?
    How many actors do you see for a guest star?
    How many actors do you see for a lead roler?
    How many actors to you see per role?
    What is the numb...

  • Do You Allow Unrepresented Actors To Submit On Your Projects?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    Do you let unrepresented actors to submit on your projects?
    Would you allow unrepresented actors to submit on your projects?
    Do you bring in unrepresented actors o castings?
    Are you ope...

  • What % Of Actors Auditioned Are Working Actors vs New Talent?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    What percentage of actors you audition are working actors with impressive resumes?
    What percentage of actors do you know?
    Do you ever seen unknown actors?
    Do you see mostly new actors ...

  • How Do You Feel About Actors Sending A Thank You Present When You Hire Them?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    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...

  • Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Elligible Make A Difference?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director (The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club)

    Does SAG-AFTRA eligible carry the same weight as SAG-AFTRA membership?
    Do you view SAG-AFTRA eligible differently to SAG-AFTRA membership?
    What does SAG-AFTRA eligible mean?
    Do you view...

  • Do You Like Actors To Wear Costumes Or Dress The Part?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A

    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 costum...

  • How Do You Think Covid-19 Will Affect The Film & TV Industry Short & Long Term?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A

    Will covid affect acting?
    How will covid affect acting?
    What are the short term ramifications of covid?
    What are the long term ramifications of covid?
    Will the film and tv industry be affected by covid?
    Will the tv and film industry be affected by covid?
    Is c...

  • Has A Bad Self-Tape Reader Ever Cost An Actor A Job?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director C.S.A
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    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 ba...

  • When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    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 ha...

  • Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    Do 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 Kerry Barden see non-union actors?
    If I am non-u...

  • Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    Can 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 ...

  • Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    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 yo...

  • Where Do You Post Auditions?

    Kerry Barden, Casting Director CSA
    Emmy nominated Casting Director | The Help, Spotlight, Dallas Buyers Club

    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...