"Working as a professional actor may not be the career you think it is. 90% of beginning actors quit acting in their first two years because of two common misconceptions. First, having unrealistic goals, and second a lack of Show Business Knowledge".
Chris Devane is a seasoned Los Angeles-based Commercial Casting Director with a remarkable career spanning many years and a diverse range of experiences. He began his career behind the camera at Danny Goldman and Associates, contributing to over 5,000 professional commercial accounts like Jack-in-the-box, Microsoft, Intel, Walmart, Mc Donalds, just to name a few as numerous theatrical projects with multiple casting directors.
Notably, Chris Devane has auditioned an astonishing number of actors, exceeding one million individual auditions over the course of his career. His expertise extends to working extensively with child actors and guiding their parents through the complex entertainment industry landscape. Recognizing the need for parental education in this field, he has taken on the role of educating parents on the responsibilities and intricacies involved in managing a child's acting career.
After retiring from casting, Chris was invited to a prestigious film school where he taught for over a decade, imparting his wealth of knowledge to the next generation of filmmakers and performers. He established a guest speaker series that connected industry luminaries with students, enriching their understanding of the industry.
Chris Devane's unique perspective, combining his practical experience as a casting director with his passion for education, has made him a valuable resource for both aspiring actors and their families. His mission is to empower parents with the information they need to navigate the entertainment industry effectively, ensuring their children's success in a competitive field that demands expertise across multiple domains—from acting and self-taping to production, negotiation, and promotion.
"An actor's biggest mistake is not being able to read the room when auditioning, and that is not the time to be shy! Being a professional actor is not a high school play where everyone loves you. There is money on the line"!
"Beyond your ability to deliver believable dialogue, we need to see the person you really you are. Not some manufactured personality you have created. The hardness thing to do for an actor is be the person you really are.......but on purpose".
"Casting directors work 14 hour days and do not have time coddle anyone. We are not here to have a good time, we are here to work! We expect the exact same professionalism from actors. Be nice, but be professional which means know the job of an actor, not just the skill-set of acting. If you do not know what to do then learn it!"
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