Over the course of her career, Casting Director Erica S. Bream (CSA) has had the opportunity to work on a myriad of projects across all platforms.
A few of these titles include TV series such as COLONY, REVOLUTION, WORKAHOLICS, HOUSE OF LIES, CRIMINAL MINDS, and LAW AND ORDER: LA, as well as numerous TV pilots and miniseries, including Hulu’s 11.22.63, and FULL CIRCLE from DirecTV. She has worked on several feature films including STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS and many indie films, such as the John Legend-produced BREAKING THROUGH. Bream has also worked extensively in the internet and short film worlds, most recently casting award-winning AFI short, RITA MAHTOUBIAN IS NOT A TERRORIST as well as PINKY for Refinery29. She has also ventured back to her first love, theatre, working closely with THE BLANK THEATRE COMPANY and IAMA THEATRE COMPANY in Los Angeles on many main-stage plays, as well as numerous years casting The Blank’s prestigious YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL Bream is an Artios Award winner (Casting Society of America) and seven-time nominee for her work in theatre, television and short films.
Joe (Q): What is your current occupation? How long have you been in your current position?
Erica (A): Casting Director – I’ve been working in Casting for the last 17 years.
Joe (Q): How did you get started?
Erica (A): Internships! A MILLION internships with whomever would have me. Agents, voice casting companies, Casting Directors, studios, networks, etc.
Joe (Q): Did you have any mentors or someone guiding you along the way?
Erica (A): I had an internship with Mali Finn when I was 19 or 20 years old. She sat me down, gave me a pile of books to read (most of them about acting technique,) advised me to cast student films and low/no-budget projects to start building relationships. She was the first person to teach me about Casting as a craft. It was an invaluable experience and I’ll always be grateful.
Joe (Q): How important is it to study, be in class, and private coach for auditions?
Erica (A): CLASS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS. Without a foundation, there is no house. Build your technique, challenge yourself, learn from many people but never ever stop taking class. Private coaching for auditions can be really great for some actors. If it’ll give you confidence walking into the room, then definitely coach.
Joe (Q): With all the ups and downs in this business, what keeps you going? What advice do you give your actors as they experience rejection?
Erica (A): There’s always a personal interaction or a certain project that will reopen your heart to this industry. Just when you think you’ve had enough, an actor will blow you away or a project will come together perfectly and you’ll feel that exhilaration of artistic perfection. It’ll keep me coming back time and again. As for rejection: just know that we ALLLLLL deal with it. It’s simply part of the process. Learn from each experience and then move on; no need to dwell on mistakes or missed opportunities. Another door will open.
Joe (Q): What advice were you given when you were starting out that you can remember and share?
Erica (A): Read everything. Books, scripts, the news. Be informed, know what’s going on, do your research. I’m a half-hour early, overly-informative, over-preparer kinda gal and I’m not sorry about it.
Joe (Q): What piece of advice do you have for those actors just starting out?
Erica (A): STUDY, STUDY, STUDY. Take your craft seriously. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t ever compare your career to someone else’s.
Joe (Q): Any last word of wisdom or something you would like to leave us with that can help an actor starting out or one struggling to keep going in this business?
Erica (A): If you are starting to feel down about your career choice or the industry as a whole, take a step away. Travel, see family, take six months and do something else. If after those things you feel ready and itching to come back and perform again, then this is the right career path for you. Also, always remember that Casting is on your side. If you’ve made it into the audition room (or gotten a self-tape request,) we already like you. We want you to succeed.
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