Casting Confidential

Casting is now formally recognized by both the Academy Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards. On Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen sits down with actors shaping today’s film and television landscape, award-recognized casting directors, and industry leaders to break down how casting actually works, who gets in the room, how decisions are made, and what moves careers forward. No mythology, no guesswork—just honest conversations about the process.

In this episode, Rose is joined by casting directors Cheryl Louden-Kubin, Kimberly Skyrme, and Robin Carus for a candid conversation about what casting professionals actually watch in self-tapes.

Actors often speculate about whether casting directors watch their full audition, how important the first few seconds are, and whether small details matter. The truth is more nuanced. The panel breaks down what they really notice when reviewing self-tapes and why the details actors sometimes overlook—like following instructions, labeling files correctly, and reacting truthfully—can make a major difference.

They discuss the purpose behind audition sides, why casting often selects shorter scenes for first rounds, and why reacting and listening are just as important as speaking. The conversation also explores subtle moments that reveal craft, including the moment before a line begins, the moment after a scene ends, and the clear distinction between the actor and the character.

If you’ve ever wondered what casting directors truly see when they watch your tape, this episode offers rare, unfiltered insight from the people reviewing them every day.

Sponsor: Rafy App
Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.
Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.

Go Deeper on Patreon
Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.
JOIN HERE

CREDITS
Host, Creator & Producer
Rose Rosen, CSA
@roserosencasting

ROUNDTABLE PANELISTS:
Kimberly Skyrme, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@kimberlyskyrme
Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA
@loudenkubin
Robin Carus, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@robincarus

Editor
MZ Studios
@mzstudiosdallas.com

Original Music
Orville Wright
@ohyeahbeats

Artwork
Ace Anderson
@aceshotthat

FOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS
@castingconfidential
Patreon

JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON HERE:
JOIN HERE

**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Rose Rosen sits down with Amy Landecker to break down how she booked Transparent, why saying “no” can shift power in the audition room, and what actors consistently misunderstand about casting.

Amy built her career the long way — theater, guest stars, recurring roles, breakout moments, and years inside audition rooms. Now, after writing, directing, producing, and starring in her feature debut For Worse, she shares the evolution that changed everything.

🎧 Sponsor: Rafy App
Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy — the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.
Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.

CREDITS
Host, Creator & Producer
Rose Rosen, CSA
Follow Rose on Instagram: @roserosencasting

Guest
Amy Landecker
Instagram: @amylandecker

Editor
MZ Studios
mzstudiosdallas.com

Original Music
Orville Wright
Instagram: @ohyeahbeats

Artwork
Ace Anderson
Instagram: @aceshotthat

Follow the Show
Instagram: @castingconfidential

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential

Opinions expressed in the Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with legendary casting director Nina Gold for a deeply honest and timely conversation about craft, instinct, collaboration—and the historic moment casting is finally recognized by the Academy Awards.

From shaping global phenomena like Game of Thrones and The Crown to her breathtaking work on Hamnet, Nina’s casting has defined tone, launched careers, and built entire worlds. And now, as the first-ever Academy Award for Casting approaches, she reflects on what this milestone truly means for the profession.

Nina speaks candidly about collaboration with directors, the power of saying no, and how casting is a balance of research, intuition, and conviction.
“It’s not like last year we weren’t trying really hard to do a really good job. We’re just going to keep trying to make good work—Oscar or no Oscar.”

This is a conversation between two casting directors about responsibility, visibility, and what this moment means for everyone who has done this work—often without recognition—for generations.
If you’re an actor, filmmaker, or someone who still thinks casting is just a list of names, this episode is for you.

Sponsor:
Rafy App
Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy — the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.
Visit https://rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.

Go Deeper on Patreon
Join the Casting Confidential community for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential

For more episodes and resources, visit:
https://castingconfidential.com
Hosted by Rose Rosen.

CREDITS
Host, Creator & Producer
Rose Rosen, CSA
https://instagram.com/roserosencasting

Guest
Nina Gold

Editor
MZ Studios
https://mzstudiosdallas.com

Original Music
Orville Wright
https://instagram.com/ohyeahbeats

Artwork
Ace Anderson
https://instagram.com/aceshotthat

Follow the show and join our community:
https://instagram.com/castingconfidential
https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential

** Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year marks a historic shift in the entertainment industry. For the first time, casting is being formally recognized at major awards including the Academy Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards.

On this episode of Casting Confidential: The Round Table, we break down what that recognition actually means — and what it doesn’t. After 35 years of advocacy, casting directors are finally being acknowledged above the line. But why was the craft overlooked for so long? And why does it still so rarely get mentioned in speeches, press coverage, or theatrical award shows like the Tony Awards?

The conversation dives into:

Why directors often get credit for “finding” talent

How casting’s work begins long before cameras roll

Why the craft is essential yet often invisible

The difference between creative collaboration and final decision-making

And how real industry recognition could shift moving forward

We also reference the documentary Casting By, which chronicled the long road toward acknowledgment for casting professionals.

If you’re serious about understanding how casting actually works, this one pulls back the curtain.

Sponsor: Rafy App

Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.

Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.

Go Deeper on PATREON

Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.

JOIN HERE

For more episodes and resources, visit
castingconfidential.com.

SPONSORS:

RAFY APP
https://rafy.app/
Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15

JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON HERE:
JOIN HERE

CREDITS:
Host, Creator & Producer
Rose Rosen, CSA
@roserosencasting

ROUNDTABLE PANELISTS:

Kimberly Skyrme, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@kimberlyskyrme

Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA
@loudenkubin

Robin Carus, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@robincarus

Editor
MZ Studios
https://mzstudiosdallas.com

Original Music
Orville Wright
@ohyeahbeats

Artwork
Ace Anderson
@aceshotthat

FOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:
@castingconfidential
@roserosencasting

Join our Patreon here!

** Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen and guest co host, acclaimed casting director Shayna Markowitz sit down with legendary actor Christine Ebersole for an honest, deeply insightful conversation about craft, longevity, and what really happens behind the casting process.

Christine shares stories from her extraordinary career spanning Broadway, film, television, and cabaret. From Saturday Night Live and Tootsie to Amadeus, War Paint, and her latest film Is This Thing On, directed by Bradley Cooper. She opens up about navigating auditions at every stage of life, trusting instinct over industry noise, and why perseverance matters more than timing.

Shayna offers a rare look at casting from the other side of the table, including how actors with long-established careers are cast, how Zoom auditions have changed access and connection, and why casting directors are always rooting for actors to succeed. The conversation also touches on the long-overdue recognition of casting as an Academy Award category and what that means for the future of the profession.

This is a must-listen for actors seeking clarity, confidence, and truth about how careers are actually built—without mythology, without guesswork.

Sponsor: Rafy App
Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.

Go Deeper on Patreon
Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.
patreon.com/castingconfidential

For more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.
Hosted by Rose Rosen.

SPONSORS:

RAFY APP
https://rafy.app/
Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15

JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON HERE:
JOIN HERE

CREDITS:

Host, Creator & Producer
Rose Rosen, CSA
@roserosencasting

CO HOST
Shayna Markowitz

GUESTS:
Christine Ebersole
christine.ebersoleofficial

Editor
MZ Studios
mzstudiosdallas.com

Original Music
Orville Wright
ohyeahbeats

Artwork
Ace Anderson
aceshotthat

FOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:
@castingconfidential
Patreon

**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.