Scot Boland (Interview)
Getting his start in TV casting, his first long running series was “Diagnosis Murder” for which he cast 46 episodes first as an associate and later as a casting director. Shortly after that in 2000 he partnered with the Vivacious Victoria Burrows to form Burrows/Boland casting. Since then he has cast box office smash hits like Flight, The Walk, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Adventures of Tin Tin, The Lovely Bones and The Polar Express.
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A Conversation With Casting Director Scot Boland
Scot Boland, C.S.A
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesScot Boland is a leading casting director with 30 years experience.
Getting his start in TV casting, his first long running series was Diagnosis Murder for which he cast 46 episodes first as an associate and l...
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Scot Boland: Rapid Fire
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesWhen casting, where do you post breakdowns for auditions?
Do you audition non-union actors?
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Elligible make a difference in casting?
Where do you find readers for your audition sessions... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Sending A Thank You Present When You Hire Them?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDo 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 you ... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesI 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 - w... -
Has A Bad Self-Tape Reader Ever Cost An Actor A Job?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDo 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 f... -
What Backdrop Colors Do You Prefer In A Self Tape?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesWhat 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?... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesCan 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 ex... -
How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesIs 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?
C... -
Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesCan 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 a... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDo I need a hard cop of a headshot at Scot Boland‘s office?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to Scot Boland’s office?
Does Scot Boland require hard copies of photo and resume?
Does Scot Boland require har... -
If I Can't Find A Reader, Can I Pre-Record The Other Characters Lines Myself?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesCan 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, ca... -
Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesWhere 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 ... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Representation?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDoes Scot Boland accept tapes that come to her out of the blue?
Will Scot Boland watch my tape if she hasn't requested it?
Do casting directors watch tapes they haven't requested?
If my agent pushes for it, will S... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDo 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 ... -
Do You Like Actors To Wear Costumes Or Dress The Part?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesShould 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 aud... -
Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDo 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 Scot Boland see non-union actors?
If I am non-union, can I still get audit... -
Where Do You Post Breakdowns For Roles You Are Casting?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesWhat site do you use to post breakdowns?
Where do CDS post breakdowns?
Where are breakdowns viewed?
What site is used for breakdowns?
Where do you advertise auditions?
What do CDs post auditions notices?
Where are... -
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Eligible Make A Difference?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDoes 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 diffe... -
What Is Your Preferred Delivery Method For Self Tapes?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesWhat 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 self... -
What Gifts Do You Love & Not Love?
Scot Boland, C.S.A
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesWhat 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 POV?
Shoul... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDo 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... -
Do You Like A Second Option For Each Scene When Actors Send A Self Tape?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesShould 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?
Shoul... -
What Are Some Tips For Actors When They Are Working On A Film Or TV Set?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesDo 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 Scot Boland have any tips for talent when on set?
Do you have any tips for me when I am on s... -
How Much Input Do You Have In The Final Casting Decision?
Scot Boland, CSA
Casting Director | The Hobbit, Flight, Contact, The Lovely BonesHow much input do you feel you have in the final casting decisions?
Does casting have much input into the final casting decision?
Will casting have much input into the final decision?
How much input do you have in...