STEP ONE:
Fill out this FORM. Email me at [email protected] if you have any issues.
STEP TWO:
Once you've filled out the form, I will contact you and assign you a scene from film or tv based on your headshot, resume, identity, and comedy or drama preferences.
STEP THREE:
Based on your preference, you will do one of the following scenarios -
1) Record your scene on your own as a self-tape, where you provide your own reader. I will email you notes and and also answer any questions you have.
2) Perform your scene live over zoom with me as reader and receive notes live. I will also answer any questions you have.
3) Make an appointment to come into Live E and perform your scene live in the practice room with me as your reader. I will provide a ring light tripod for you to record your scene on your phone, which I recommend. I will give you notes and answer any questions you have.
4) Make an appointment to zoom or come into Live E to ask me any questions you want, no audition scene needed!
1) Record your scene on your own as a self-tape, where you provide your own reader. I will email you notes and and also answer any questions you have.
2) Perform your scene live over zoom with me as reader and receive notes live. I will also answer any questions you have.
3) Make an appointment to come into Live E and perform your scene live in the practice room with me as your reader. I will provide a ring light tripod for you to record your scene on your phone, which I recommend. I will give you notes and answer any questions you have.
4) Make an appointment to zoom or come into Live E to ask me any questions you want, no audition scene needed!
I'm Jessica Joy! I'm from Cleveland, I graduated from BGSU in 2000, and I worked as a performer at Cedar Point from 2001-2004! I came back in 2021 as a Performance Area Supervisor, and have been back every year since as a contracted director and writer. I have lived and worked in Los Angeles and Chicago (I sublet a place in NYC for four months but that doesn't count), and have performed in every possible thing there is to do: theatre, film, tv, commercials, industrials, sketch and improv comedy, Second City, voiceover, podcasting, national touring, cruise ships, corporate comedy and hosting - I have even played Chuck E Cheese. This is my website, so feel free to use the links at the top to look around at my resume and reels to see some of the shows I have been on. Film, tv and sketch comedy are my true loves, but I am down to talk about anything you might have questions about. I love talking to young performers because I would have given anything to have had someone to ask questions to when I was your age*. There are no questions too silly, so we can talk about it all! I look forward to meeting with you!
*forgive me, this is a phrase we old people use
*forgive me, this is a phrase we old people use
HOW DOES A TYPICAL FILM/TV/COMMERCIAL AUDITION WORK?
1) CASTING SENDS OUT A BREAKDOWN TO AGENTS - a description of the characters they are looking for.
2) YOUR AGENT SUBMITS YOU - they read the breakdown and then submit who in their roster they think could play that part.
3) CASTING ASKS FOR SELF-TAPES - casting will look at the agents' submissions and pick who they want to make a tape (or come in for in-person, but this is rare theses days).
4) YOU MAKE A TAPE! (See tips for tapes below) - you make an incredible tape that gets sent out into the ether and you are left to wonder if anyone even watched it! Showbiz!!
5) YOU GET A CALLBACK! - it might be a zoom, it might be in-person, it might not even happen if the turnaround time is short or the part is small enough that they can cast you right off your tape. You might meet the director or producers, or it might just be the casting agency again.
6) YOU ARE PUT ON "AVAIL"! - or "hold" or "check avail". These terms have lost meaning over the years, but basically they are "putting a pin" in you for the role. It could be down to you and one other person, or you and 5 other people, or they have you as backup in case Jacob Elordi turns it down. You will eventually either 1) book the role 2) get "released" or 3) get ghosted and live in hopeful limbo until the shooting date arrives and they haven't called. Because sometimes they DO call the day before shooting to book you! I always ask my agent to check if I'm released right before the shoot date just to get confirmation (of what I already know - I didn't book it!) Being "pinned" is a big win, so take it no matter what happens!
How do you get an agent?? Yes, you can send out mailers cold to agents, but I have found the most success by agents seeing me out and performing. You can produce your own showcases with friends and invite casting agents and talent agents. You can send out mailer postcards advertising your shows or inviting them to check out new reel footage that you just uploaded. Check the agent's website first - most these days have a page that explains how they prefer to be contacted.
What do you put in a reel? When you're just starting out, anything you have! Short clips cut together of anything that features you. When you start working more, you can separate your reel by comedy, drama, theatre, voice, dance, whatever! It DOES NOT need to be fancy in the least. You don't need cinematic transitions, or to have your name at the top, it can just literally be a montage of clips that you can make yourself with iMovie. You can find my reels here. Scroll down to the Resources below to find out how to gather clips from tv shows and film.
2) YOUR AGENT SUBMITS YOU - they read the breakdown and then submit who in their roster they think could play that part.
3) CASTING ASKS FOR SELF-TAPES - casting will look at the agents' submissions and pick who they want to make a tape (or come in for in-person, but this is rare theses days).
4) YOU MAKE A TAPE! (See tips for tapes below) - you make an incredible tape that gets sent out into the ether and you are left to wonder if anyone even watched it! Showbiz!!
5) YOU GET A CALLBACK! - it might be a zoom, it might be in-person, it might not even happen if the turnaround time is short or the part is small enough that they can cast you right off your tape. You might meet the director or producers, or it might just be the casting agency again.
6) YOU ARE PUT ON "AVAIL"! - or "hold" or "check avail". These terms have lost meaning over the years, but basically they are "putting a pin" in you for the role. It could be down to you and one other person, or you and 5 other people, or they have you as backup in case Jacob Elordi turns it down. You will eventually either 1) book the role 2) get "released" or 3) get ghosted and live in hopeful limbo until the shooting date arrives and they haven't called. Because sometimes they DO call the day before shooting to book you! I always ask my agent to check if I'm released right before the shoot date just to get confirmation (of what I already know - I didn't book it!) Being "pinned" is a big win, so take it no matter what happens!
How do you get an agent?? Yes, you can send out mailers cold to agents, but I have found the most success by agents seeing me out and performing. You can produce your own showcases with friends and invite casting agents and talent agents. You can send out mailer postcards advertising your shows or inviting them to check out new reel footage that you just uploaded. Check the agent's website first - most these days have a page that explains how they prefer to be contacted.
What do you put in a reel? When you're just starting out, anything you have! Short clips cut together of anything that features you. When you start working more, you can separate your reel by comedy, drama, theatre, voice, dance, whatever! It DOES NOT need to be fancy in the least. You don't need cinematic transitions, or to have your name at the top, it can just literally be a montage of clips that you can make yourself with iMovie. You can find my reels here. Scroll down to the Resources below to find out how to gather clips from tv shows and film.
TIPS FOR TAPES
Some tips I've learned over the years for making self-tapes:
1) It only matters that they can hear and see you clearly. Don't worry about WHERE you tape, as long as you can find a minimally blank wall and a quiet place. Taping in front of an open window with great natural light but your bed in the background is preferable to overhead fluorescents but a blank wall. I put some links to good taping supplies below if you want to make yourself a little studio!
2) ALWAYS tape in horizontal mode unless asked to do otherwise. An amateur red flag is someone who makes self-tapes like a front-facing TikTok. Do not do your tape looking directly into the camera, unless asked to.
3) Your reader DOES kind of matter. You need to have someone who reasonably understands pacing and isn't distractingly bad. WeAudition is a service where you can find readers and also offer to be one yourself.
4) You don't need to be memorized. If memorizing works better for you, by all means, but remember how much they're paying you to do this work ($0). There are good teleprompter apps out there, but my preferred method is to tape my script up on a music stand eye-level with the camera and I speak to the paper like it's my scene partner. In film, tv and commercials, you rarely get more than a day or two's notice. (Theatre is usually a couple weeks) For in-person auditions, it's totally acceptable to hold your script, but you must know it well enough that you're not constantly looking down at it. For callbacks, I usually put in the work to memorize, but I still hold the script as my Dumbo's feather.
5) Research what you can. If you're called in for Chicago Fire, watch an episode to get the tone. The tone of a procedural drama (Law & Order, Criminal Minds, etc) is way different than the tone of a prestige drama (Euphoria, The Bear, etc), just like a multicam sitcom (Friends, Big Bang Theory) is different than a single cam sitcom (Modern Family, Community) You have to adapt to the style of the acting on each show.
1) It only matters that they can hear and see you clearly. Don't worry about WHERE you tape, as long as you can find a minimally blank wall and a quiet place. Taping in front of an open window with great natural light but your bed in the background is preferable to overhead fluorescents but a blank wall. I put some links to good taping supplies below if you want to make yourself a little studio!
2) ALWAYS tape in horizontal mode unless asked to do otherwise. An amateur red flag is someone who makes self-tapes like a front-facing TikTok. Do not do your tape looking directly into the camera, unless asked to.
3) Your reader DOES kind of matter. You need to have someone who reasonably understands pacing and isn't distractingly bad. WeAudition is a service where you can find readers and also offer to be one yourself.
4) You don't need to be memorized. If memorizing works better for you, by all means, but remember how much they're paying you to do this work ($0). There are good teleprompter apps out there, but my preferred method is to tape my script up on a music stand eye-level with the camera and I speak to the paper like it's my scene partner. In film, tv and commercials, you rarely get more than a day or two's notice. (Theatre is usually a couple weeks) For in-person auditions, it's totally acceptable to hold your script, but you must know it well enough that you're not constantly looking down at it. For callbacks, I usually put in the work to memorize, but I still hold the script as my Dumbo's feather.
5) Research what you can. If you're called in for Chicago Fire, watch an episode to get the tone. The tone of a procedural drama (Law & Order, Criminal Minds, etc) is way different than the tone of a prestige drama (Euphoria, The Bear, etc), just like a multicam sitcom (Friends, Big Bang Theory) is different than a single cam sitcom (Modern Family, Community) You have to adapt to the style of the acting on each show.
LINKS FOR SUPPLIES
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In this photo, I'm using the following tools (and reading my lines just to the right of the camera!):
Foldable Backdrop
Softbox Lighting
Basic-ass Ring Light
My niece's pink music stand that she used before she got bored of cello lessons - off-market
THIS VIDEO explains the ways I use my two lights
Foldable Backdrop
Softbox Lighting
Basic-ass Ring Light
My niece's pink music stand that she used before she got bored of cello lessons - off-market
THIS VIDEO explains the ways I use my two lights
RESOURCES
CENTRAL CASTING (CA, NY, GA, LA) background extra work will NOT make you famous, but is an amazing way to make money and learn how a set works before you start booking roles.
IMDBPro is for those who are serious about film and tv acting. You will be able to access information about agencies, who's casting what, and use it track casting directors, agents and directors you are interested in. It's great for researching shows and films before you audition for them.
CASTING ABOUT Likewise, Casting About is for those who are serious about pursuing film and tv in Los Angeles. This directory gives you as much information about what's currently casting and who's casting it as we actors are allowed to have. It is more up-to-date than IMDbPro, which is often delayed until casting is official.
ONE on ONE NYC and ACE are two studios that run casting director workshops. LEGALLY they cannot call these auditions, but unofficially - this is you getting time in front of active casting directors. I have taken classes at both of these places and I think this is worth the money.
PRACTICE SCRIPTS here is a link a collection of film, tv, commercial and theatre scripts that I have collected from online databases and my own auditions. Start a self-tape practice group with friends, why don't ya!
ACTORS ACCESS is a good place to self-submit for some projects, but unfortunately, all the "best" stuff is only available to agents and managers.
WEAUDITION is a source to find readers.
AUDREY HELPS ACTORS is a great podcast that gets a lot into the "biz" of showbiz. DISCLAIMER: acting in film and tv is truly 90% luck and 10% talent, so do not get too consumed in trying to figure out the system and the paths to success and the marketing and the numbers of it all. Focus on your talent, what makes you unique, and finding ways to perform have have fun and invite people in to see it through showcases and producing your own projects.
AIR CHECKS when you do book a role on a tv show or film, most times you can get your own footage through third party air checkers who charge by the clip. Two that I've used are SHOUT OUT KING and JOE'S REELS.
IT'S A WRAP is a thrift store in Burbank, CA that I love! It's where studio costumers dump their stock. Each item is labeled with the show or film they are from. You're not going to find leading role wardrobe here - it's mostly unused duplicates or background extra wardrobe. But where better to buy clothes for self-tapes then ones that have already been picked out by the experts for being appropriate for on-screen!
ACTING IN CHICAGO BOOK is a great show-business book that is centered on Chicago but very helpful for understanding the business as a whole.
CLASSES/SHOWCASES
SECOND CITY improv and sketch comedy in Chicago, NYC and Toronto
SECOND CITY BOB CURRY and VICTOR WONG FELLOWSHIPS for POC and AAPI comedy performers
iO improv and more in Chicago
ANNOYANCE edgy sketch and improv in Chicago
CBS SHOWCASE check their linktree for updates on auditions
DISNEY/ABC SHOWCASE check their linktree for updates on auditions
ACTING STUDIO CHICAGO a great school with lots of class variety, downtown
ACTORS TRAINING CENTER another great school, in the northern Chicago burbs
PIVEN THEATRE a legendary studio in northern Chicago
IMDBPro is for those who are serious about film and tv acting. You will be able to access information about agencies, who's casting what, and use it track casting directors, agents and directors you are interested in. It's great for researching shows and films before you audition for them.
CASTING ABOUT Likewise, Casting About is for those who are serious about pursuing film and tv in Los Angeles. This directory gives you as much information about what's currently casting and who's casting it as we actors are allowed to have. It is more up-to-date than IMDbPro, which is often delayed until casting is official.
ONE on ONE NYC and ACE are two studios that run casting director workshops. LEGALLY they cannot call these auditions, but unofficially - this is you getting time in front of active casting directors. I have taken classes at both of these places and I think this is worth the money.
PRACTICE SCRIPTS here is a link a collection of film, tv, commercial and theatre scripts that I have collected from online databases and my own auditions. Start a self-tape practice group with friends, why don't ya!
ACTORS ACCESS is a good place to self-submit for some projects, but unfortunately, all the "best" stuff is only available to agents and managers.
WEAUDITION is a source to find readers.
AUDREY HELPS ACTORS is a great podcast that gets a lot into the "biz" of showbiz. DISCLAIMER: acting in film and tv is truly 90% luck and 10% talent, so do not get too consumed in trying to figure out the system and the paths to success and the marketing and the numbers of it all. Focus on your talent, what makes you unique, and finding ways to perform have have fun and invite people in to see it through showcases and producing your own projects.
AIR CHECKS when you do book a role on a tv show or film, most times you can get your own footage through third party air checkers who charge by the clip. Two that I've used are SHOUT OUT KING and JOE'S REELS.
IT'S A WRAP is a thrift store in Burbank, CA that I love! It's where studio costumers dump their stock. Each item is labeled with the show or film they are from. You're not going to find leading role wardrobe here - it's mostly unused duplicates or background extra wardrobe. But where better to buy clothes for self-tapes then ones that have already been picked out by the experts for being appropriate for on-screen!
ACTING IN CHICAGO BOOK is a great show-business book that is centered on Chicago but very helpful for understanding the business as a whole.
CLASSES/SHOWCASES
SECOND CITY improv and sketch comedy in Chicago, NYC and Toronto
SECOND CITY BOB CURRY and VICTOR WONG FELLOWSHIPS for POC and AAPI comedy performers
iO improv and more in Chicago
ANNOYANCE edgy sketch and improv in Chicago
CBS SHOWCASE check their linktree for updates on auditions
DISNEY/ABC SHOWCASE check their linktree for updates on auditions
ACTING STUDIO CHICAGO a great school with lots of class variety, downtown
ACTORS TRAINING CENTER another great school, in the northern Chicago burbs
PIVEN THEATRE a legendary studio in northern Chicago