Lisa Zambetti (Interview)
Originally from the Bay Area, Lisa spent over a decade in NYC as an actress on Broadway and Off, writer, director and producer for many award winning theatre companies. While working at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lisa met casting legend Billy Hopkins who opened her eyes to the wonders of the casting world. After interning with Billy, Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee and Suzanne Smith, Lisa moved to Los Angeles where she worked her way up to assistant with such fantastic CDS as LaPadura & Hart, Debra Zane, Bialy/Thomas and Linda Lowy. Lisa also was a casting coordinator at NBC/Universal where she got to see the network/studio side of the industry. Lisa landed her first associate job with the badass Susie Farris where she worked on many comedies for both network and cable. Later Lisa moved on to the world of procedural drama where she was an associate and later head casting director on CBS' long running show "Criminal Minds", as well as co-casting director on the spin-off "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders". Lisa is very proud to have worked for many years with independent film casting queen Emily Schweber on award winning movies and video game projects. Lisa is an active member of the Casting Society of America where she serves on the Artistic Development Committee. In addition to casting, Lisa is a successful podcaster who co-hosts the award winning True Crime podcast "Real Crime Profile" on the Wondery network. Lisa uses her podcast platform to be a victims' advocate, particularly for children who have suffered from mental, physical and sexual abuse, as well as for victims of stalking and domestic violence.
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A Conversation With Casting Director Lisa Zambetti
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsOriginally from the Bay Area, Lisa Zambetti spent over a decade in NYC as an actress (on Broadway and off), writer, director and producer for many award winning theatre companies.
After interning with Billy Hopkins, Ker...
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Lisa Zambetti: Rapid Fire
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhere do you post auditions?
Where do you post breakdowns?
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 h... -
What Do You See Professional Actors Do Differently To New Actors In Auditions?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhat 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 audition?
W... -
What Would You Say To A Petrified Actor Auditioning For You For The First Time?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhy 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?
What can ca... -
Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsCan 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 an auditi... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsCan 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 exactly in... -
Storytime: The One About The Actor Who Didn't Have to Audition
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsIf I don't get the role, is it because I was bad?
Why didn't I get the role?
Have I blown it with casting if I didn't book the first time?
Does casting remember actors that audition?
Will casting remember me if I don't bo... -
Where Do You Post Auditions?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhere 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 for posting auditions?... -
In An Audition, Should I Talk In The Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsShould 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?
Should I break ... -
What % Of Actors Auditioned Are Working Actors VS New Talent?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhat 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 for auditions?
Do you mostly see kno... -
Do You Put All Actors Who Audition On Tape?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo all actors who read in the room go on tape?
Do all auditioning actors go on tape?
Are all auditions tapes?
Do you tape all auditions?
Does casting tape every audition?
Does every audition go on tape?
Do you put all au... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsI 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 audition - what now?... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo 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 note after a... -
How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsIs 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 the lines?
Can I rea... -
Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo 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 Lisa Zambetti see non-union actors?
If I am non-union, can I still get auditions?
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Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhere 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 you look for... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Shaking Hands At An Audition?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo 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 a... -
What Has Motivated You To Take A Chance On Auditioning An Actor You Don't Know?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhat 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 have to do t... -
What Are Some Do(s) & Dont(s) For Self Tapes?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhat 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? -
What Backdrop Colors Do You Prefer In A Self Tape?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhat 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 backdrops?
For my ... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo 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 my tape is unsol... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Actors Or Representation?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal Minds -
Has A Bad Self-Tape Reader Ever Cost An Actor A Job?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo 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 reader stop me from book... -
If I Can't Find A Reader, Can I Pre-Record The Other Characters Lines Myself?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsCan 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 opposite, can I tape...
