A Moment With Casting Director and Producer Marci Liroff

When BHStudios started back in 2009, I had hopes of bringing a high level of acting training and insight to the Central PA area. After a successful NYC Teen Monologue Slam co-produced by BHStudios and John Pallotta, along with York's first ever legitimate Acting Intensive, things were getting off on the right track. The Hollywood connection was there, but something was missing. Enter Marci Liroff. 


Back in May of 2010, I was perusing the web and YouTube for relevant clips and information on casting and auditioning for my Focused Acting Workshop class. Marci was one of the first CD's that jumped out off of the screen--which is no surprise now.  I've discovered in the past two years that she is one of the most forward-thinking, technologically advanced creatives out there (she consults and coaches actors via Skype too, btw...) 


With that said, I've never been one to shy away from reaching out to individuals via email, so I decided to contact Marci about her interest in speaking with my young actors about her invaluable years of knowledge and experience in filmmaking and producing. I was pleasantly surprised to find that she had responded swiftly and on several occasions over a few months had helped BHStudios out in more ways than one.  If I had a question that was "above my pay grade" from one of my actors, I asked Marci.  She ALWAYS responded...promptly, honestly and professionally. When I wanted my actors to Skype with Marci for an acting intensive with her, she obliged in all facets and was excited and eager to participate.  On October 25, 2010, BHStudios hosted the first (and not last) Online Acting Intensive with Marci and BHStudios actors. It was a roaring success, and my actors still talk about it to this day.  


If you (or someone you know) work(s) with actors or creatives in any capacity and are looking for a top-notch, honest, experienced professional to share their insight about the craft, then look no further than Marci Liroff. 


Her credentials speak for themselves: 

So after my first Sidetrack blog entry a few days ago (which would not have occurred without this amazing blog series from The Seeing Place) I wanted to get Marci's immeasurable thoughts on the subject of acting theory, technique and actor training. As usual, Marci was gracious enough to share her expertise in the following Q & A transcript below.  Enjoy.
  
BHS: What are your thoughts on acting theory in general?

Marci:  I always tell actors that finding the right teacher or class is like finding the right shrink. What works for one actor won't necessarily work for the next.  It's important to audit classes, read a lot of books on the subject, and see who "speaks" to you and find someone who you’ll let "unlock" your doors and your heart.

BHS: How important is training for you when casting a project? 

Marci: Training is very important when I'm casting a project.  I’m always curious to see where an actor trained. If I'm casting a comedy, I always look for comedy training. I love actors that have studied at The Groundlings, Second City, UCB, IO West. If someone doesn't have any comedy training, or hasn't actually done any comedies, I can't bring them in because they can't "learn" on my project. What I'm seeing a lot of lately in the training area on actors' resumés are casting director workshops which don't count as training and do not belong on a resumé. I like to see training come from University, drama school and acting classes. It's also good to remember that your study is ongoing. I know actors in their 50s and 60s who still take classes to stay in tune. 

That said, there are no hard and fast rules. I remember when I first started casting I met a lovely actress named Mare Winningham who was discovered while in high school by veteran agent Meyer Mishkin who saw her in a play at her school. She studied drama in high school and took extension courses at the local University while still in Junior High school.  She immediately took off as a teenager and has a great career as an actor and a singer.  Quite frankly, I don't think Debra Winger had any formal training either.  My point is that these are exceptions to the rule. Most people, if not all, need and will benefit greatly from formal and ongoing training.

BHS: How important is the name or theory behind an actor's training?  

Marci: Sure, I see people get impressed when they see Yale School of Drama or RADA. Formal training is very good and I respect an actor that has achieved such a level of training. I want to see that you actually have training and haven't just waived a wand over your head and pronounced yourself to be an actor.

BHS: What advice would you have for "green" actors thinking about getting their career started?

Marci: Study. Read. Take classes. Get a group of your actor/writer/director friends together once a week and read scenes. Get a project going of your own and put it on the web. Now that's not to say that just because you have a camera, you should shoot. I see so much homemade looking crap on the web these days that shouldn't be there. If you decide to produce content for yourself, then remember that it has to look just as good and professional as everything we see on TV and in the movie theater. There's really no excuse considering how great technology is today. 

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A special thanks to Marci Liroff for her time and thoughts on this important issue of training and technique.  I hope you enjoyed this Moment w/ Marci Liroff, the follow up to the Sidetrack I: A Theory Behind the Theory.  Stay tuned to @benhodgestudios or follow this blog for the next entry in the 5 P's of Professionalism Series and more exclusive content.  Be well!  


Follow on Twitter:
@marciliroff (Marci Liroff)
@theseeingplace (The Seeing Place Theater: Producers Erin Cronican and Brandon Walker)
@actor_whisperer (John Pallotta)
@benhodgestudios (Ben Hodge)


All images/clips used with permission.