EP 13: Ilona Smyth: Canadian Casting Director

Second Act Actors

On this industry episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with Ilona Smyth. Ilona started out studying early childhood education and psychology and then landed a job by chance working at an acting school. She fell in love with casting and decided to open her own agency which casts for film, TV, commercials and more, both in Canada and worldwide.

Ilona tells me why she always recommends that actors practice meditation and explains the other techniques that she uses to clear her head, especially during the stress of the pandemic. She then walks me through the process that she uses when beginning to cast a role, which is amazing insider information that any aspiring actor needs to know. Listen out for her tips on shooting self-tapes for auditions! At the end of the interview, Ilona also shares a favourite memory from a casting audition and what auditions look like from the casting director’s point of view.

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Timestamps

[0:08] How Ilona discovered the world of casting

[3:38] The hustle of casting

[5:20] Why Ilona preaches meditation

[8:55] Ilona’s experience of the pandemic and how she clears her head

[9:58] Ilona’s behind-the-scenes casting course

[11:23] Why Ilona started her casting course

[14:10] Why don’t actors see acting as a business?

[17:39] Ilona walks me through the casting process

[18:50] What surprised Ilona about working in casting

[19:30] Ilona’s casting coaching services

[22:28] Tips from Ilona about how to shoot an audition tape

[23:55] The benefit of seeing several casting coaches

[24:55] What’s coming up for Ilona in 2022

[25:30] A favourite memory from an audition

[27:57] Casting isn’t like an American Idol audition

[28:44] If it feels wrong, you can change lines up

[30:33] Final words of wisdom from Ilona and where to go to find out more about her and about Smyth Casting

Links

Smyth Casting website

Smyth Casting on Instagram

Smyth Casting on Facebook

Smyth Casting on TikTok

Second Act Actors website

Second Act Actors on Instagram

Second Act Actors on Facebook

Second Act Actors on YouTube

Janet McMordie website

Janet McMordie on Instagram

Janet McMordie on LinkedIn

Janet McMordie on Twitter

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