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... -
Do You Watch Demo Reels Or Prefer Individual Clips?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhat is more effective: demo reel or individual clips?
What is more effective: individual clips or demo reel?
Do you like individual clips or demo reel?
Do you like demo reels or individual clips?
Should I have a demo re... -
Do Actors Transition Better From Drama To Comedy; Or Comedy To Drama?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo you see dramatic actors for comedic roles?
Are comedic roles the domain of only comedy actors?
Are actors able to move between drama and comedy?
I'm a dramatic actor can I go in for comedic roles?
I'm a comedy actor ca... -
Do You Ever Bring Someone In Solely From There Headshot?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsHow important is a headshot to casting?
Will a headshot alone get me into a casting office?
How much weight does a headshot have on your decisions?
Are headshots they persuasive to get me into a casting office?
How influe... -
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... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo I need a hard cop of a headshot at Lisa Zambetti's office?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to Lisa Zambetti's office?
Does Lisa Zambetti require hard copies of photo and resume?
Does Lisa Zambetti require har... -
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... -
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 ... -
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Eligible Make A Difference?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDoes 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 SAG-AFTRA eligibility differently t... -
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... -
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?... -
What Are Some Tips For Actors When They Are On A Film Or TV Set?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsDo 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 Lisa Zambetti have any tips for talent when on set?
Do you have any tips for me when I am on set?
Ho... -
Do You Teach Any Classes For Actors?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsIs Lisa Zambetti teaching any classes at this time?
Is Lisa Zambetti teaching actors at this time?
Any classes with Lisa Zambetti coming up?
Is Lisa Zambetti teaching soon?
What Classes Are You Teaching At This Time Lisa ... -
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? -
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 Are The Roles & Duties Of The Various Casting Positions In Your Office?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsWhat 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?
In a casting office, what are the rol... -
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... -
How Many Actors Do You See For Co-star & Guest Star Roles?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsHow many actors do you see for co-star?
How many actors will you see for a guest star?
What is the number of actors you will see for a guest star?
For a guest star, how many actors will you see?
For a co-star, how many ac... -
How Many Actors Do You See In The Room & On Tape For Each Role?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsHow 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 number of actors you see for each role y... -
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... -
How Many Actors Do You Usually Present To The Filmmakers For Each Role?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsHow 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 many selections will you show ... -
How Much Input Do You Feel You Have In The Final Casting Decisions?
with Lisa Zambetti, CSA
Artios Nominated Casting Director | Criminal MindsHow much say do you have in the final casting decision?
Do you get a say in the final casting decision?
Does casting have a say in the final decision?
Do casting directors get a say in the final decision?
Do CDs get a say...
