Casting can feel like one of the most mysterious parts of the acting industry. From the outside, it is easy to imagine a closed room where decisions are made quickly and quietly, leaving actors, parents and emerging performers wondering what really matters. In this episode of The Drama Coach podcast, Lisa Southam is joined by professional casting director Leanne Marie for a practical and reassuring conversation about auditions, self tapes, vertical drama, safety, agents, professionalism and how actors can build trust without trying to second guess everything. Leanne works across commercials, film, TV, vertical dramas, media content and live projects, and brings a clear, encouraging perspective to what can often feel like a confusing part of the industry.
Understanding the casting process
Leanne explains that casting is much more than simply choosing people for roles. A casting director is often working closely with a director, creative team or production to understand the vision for a project and find the right people to help bring that vision to life. That work can involve reading scripts, understanding characters, watching talent, using casting platforms, going to shows, visiting drama schools, street casting and keeping an eye on new faces. It also involves a great deal of admin, communication and decision-making behind the scenes. For young performers and parents, this is a helpful reminder that a casting director is not hoping actors fail. Quite the opposite. If someone is invited to tape or audition, it means there is already something of interest there. The actor’s job is not to work out exactly what the casting team wants, but to bring a clear, truthful and prepared version of themselves and the character.
Vertical drama and new opportunities
A significant part of the conversation explores vertical drama, a fast-growing short form screen format designed for mobile viewing. Leanne has been casting vertical dramas in the UK and speaks honestly about both the opportunities and the questions around this developing space. She describes vertical dramas as their own format, not something that should be directly compared with traditional television, film or theatre. They are often fast-paced, heightened and emotionally direct, with short episodes created for phone viewing. For actors, this can mean a demanding amount of script work, quick filming schedules and a need for strong screen presence. Leanne is also clear that actors and parents should do their research. Some casting calls are legitimate and exciting, while others need careful checking. She encourages performers and families to look into the casting director, production company and practical details around safeguarding, licensing, chaperones and welfare. One of the strongest messages in the episode is that asking questions is not unprofessional. In fact, it can be a sign of a thoughtful parent or performer. Leanne shares an example of a parent who asked for more information about a vertical drama role before deciding it was not right for their child at that time. Her response was supportive and respectful, not punitive.
What makes a strong self tape?
Self tapes are now a huge part of the audition process, and Leanne gives particularly useful advice for actors preparing them. For her, presence, confidence and energy matter. Especially in vertical drama, there may not be time for a slow build. The viewer needs to feel the actor’s presence quickly.
“The presence on screen is everything.”
Leanne also likes to see personality in the introduction. When she asks actors to share something interesting or fun about themselves, she is not looking for the “right” answer. She is watching how they come alive, how they communicate and how comfortable they seem being themselves on camera. Her advice is not to focus only on perfect lines. Actors should understand the scene, imagine where they are and bring the character to life. A small mistake is not always a disaster, especially if the performer stays in character and carries on. In fact, seeing how an actor recovers can be useful, because things can change quickly on set too.
Agents, profiles and being proactive
The episode also touches on whether actors need an agent. Leanne’s answer is balanced. An agent can offer support, guidance and protection around things like rates, contracts, overtime, travel and production expectations. However, actors without agents need to be proactive, do their research and understand the platforms and casting routes available to them. Profiles matter too. Headshots, Spotlight profiles and social media can all form part of how an actor is seen. Leanne notes that casting directors may look at Instagram, TikTok and other platforms, but she does not want actors to feel pressured to build a huge online presence. The key is to be sensible, professional and clear about what your online presence says about you. For parents managing accounts for young performers, Lisa adds an important safeguarding reminder: do not post real-time details of where a child is training, performing or regularly attending classes.
Professionalism on set
When an actor books the job, professionalism becomes just as important as talent. Leanne describes it in simple, practical terms: manners, respect, timekeeping, appropriate dress, preparation and kindness. For parents chaperoning children, the balance is important. They are there to keep their child safe, informed and supported, but not to take over the production environment. Speak up if something is wrong, unclear or unsafe, but also allow the team to do their work.
A grounded message for performers
This conversation is encouraging because it does not pretend the industry is easy. Leanne is honest that acting is tough and that opportunities are not endless. But she also reminds actors to keep training, stay open-minded, make smart choices, be proactive and protect their confidence. For young actors, parents and adult learners, the message is clear: prepare well, ask sensible questions, stay safe, keep learning and do not lose the joy that brought you to performing in the first place. Listen to the full episode for a warm, practical look at casting from someone who genuinely wants actors to feel informed, prepared and ready for the room.