Casting Confidential

Rose Rosen, CSA

Casting Confidential is a podcast hosted by casting director Rose Rosen, CSA, offering a direct, unfiltered look at how casting actually works. Each episode features Rosen alongside a rotating co-host casting director and notable actors, pulling back the curtain on the professional relationship between actors and casting—and how decisions are really made. These are not surface-level conversations. The show focuses on process, context, and the often-misunderstood mechanics of auditions, callbacks, chemistry reads, and career-building choices. Casting Confidential is designed for actors who want clarity, not clichés. Listeners gain practical insight into what casting directors respond to, what they overlook, and how strong auditions are shaped long before a tape is submitted. The goal is simple: better information leads to better work in the room. Membership: Deeper Access, Real Feedback For actors who want to go beyond listening, the Casting Confidential Membership offers live, interactive opportunities: Monthly Performance Feedback Sessions Members submit a recent self-tape or scene and receive direct, professional feedback from casting directors. These sessions focus on specific, actionable adjustments—what’s working, what isn’t, and how to sharpen future auditions. A reader is provided.Live Episodes with Industry Guests Members are invited to exclusive live recordings featuring candid conversations with working actors and casting professionals.Casting Confidential is where casting directors speak plainly about the work—how we find actors, how we build ensembles, and what actually helps an actor stand out over time. Follow @castingconfidential on Instagram. Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—your support helps us continue bringing you substantive, high-level conversations from inside the casting room. Pull up a chair. This is how casting really works. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. FA 1 DIA

    64. What Casting Actually Responds To — with Sharon Bialy and Karolina Wydra

    In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by two guests who understand the casting process from very different angles — and what unfolds is one of the most honest, layered conversations the show has had about what it actually takes to get hired, stay remembered, and build a career that lasts. Sharon Bialy is an award-winning casting director whose work has shaped some of the most acclaimed television and film projects of the past three decades. Her credits include Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry, The Handmaid’s Tale, Julia, El Camino, and Broadway productions including Jersey Boys and The Farnsworth Invention. She has received nine Emmy nominations and over 30 Artios Award nominations, and has spent over 25 years in partnership with Sherry Thomas at Bialy/Thomas & Associates. She has also served on the board of the Casting Society and has been a long-time advocate for inclusive casting. Karolina Wydra is currently starring as Zosia opposite Rhea Seehorn in Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus — Apple TV+’s biggest series to date — a world shaped by a global hive mind where tone, control, and presence are everything. Her work spans House, True Blood, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Twin Peaks, Sneaky Pete, and Justified. Originally from Poland and now based in Los Angeles, Karolina brings a grounded, controlled presence to every character she inhabits. Together, they get into what casting is actually watching for — in the room and on the self-tape. Sharon breaks down why she has never believed in the perfect audition, what it means to truly understand the soul of a character, and why Vince Gilligan always wants to see an actor’s first instinct before anything else. Karolina shares the remarkable story of how she landed Pluribus without an agent or manager — found by Sharon’s office in their own files after years away from the industry — and what it took to prepare for one of the most complex roles of her career. They also dig into what actors don’t always see: how casting offices keep notes for years and bring actors back when the role is finally right, why coming into the room still matters even in a self-tape world, how Vince Gilligan really works on set, how Pluribus received over 5,200 submissions for a Karolina's role, and why showing up as if you already have the job may be the most important mindset any actor can carry. The episode closes with a live feedback session featuring actor Shaun McDonald, who performs a cold read opposite Karolina — twice — with real-time notes from Rose and Karolina on presence, stakes, and what changes between takes. SPONSOR: RAFY APP | Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15 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. CREDITS: Host, Creator & Producer Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencasting GUESTS: Sharon Bialy @sharonbialy Karolina Wydra @karolina_wydra Feedback Actor Shaun McDonald @shaun.mcdonald.actor Editor MZ Studios 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.

    1 h
  2. 13 D’ABR.

    RERELEASE: Actors! Get On Casting’s Radar

    On today's episode of Casting Confidential we are buzzing on how to get on casting director's radar! From appropriate points of contact to Rose's secret on how to get her personal response, we’re dishing on how to be a hit with correspondence! Join seasoned casting director ROSE ROSEN along with her roundtable of casting directors in Casting Confidential where we bring you unfiltered, behind-the-scenes stories without the fluff! Each week we unveil the insider secrets that everyone's been dying to hear. Today's episode is sponsored by CCP MEMBERSHIP Join the CCP Community and follow our panel on Instagram! Casting Confidential Podcast @castingconfidential Rose Rosen, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roserosen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠casting Kimberly Skyrme, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyskyrme⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@loudenkubin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kimberly Ehrlich, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyehrlich4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Robin Carus, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robincarus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Paisley Baker, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@coatcheck3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by Orville Wright ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ohyeahbeats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CCP Disclosure The opinions expressed in the Casting Confidential podcast are solely the opinions of each individual casting director and do not represent the opinions of any other official group or entity. Furthermore, nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  3. 6 D’ABR. ·  CONTINGUT EXTRA

    BONUS: The No-Callback Truth: What Casting Directors Wish Actors Understood

    Here's one of the hardest things to sit with as an actor: you gave a great audition — and you still didn't get the callback. So what actually happened? In this Roundtable episode of Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen , CSA is joined by casting directors Robin Carus, CSA, Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA, and Kimberly Skyrme, CSA for an honest, insider conversation about why callbacks don't always follow excellent work — and why that's not the same thing as failing. The panel pulls back the curtain on all the variables actors never see: physical matching, chemistry reads, creative politics, last-minute budget shifts, a director's personal history, and sometimes just the plain, unfair randomness of timing. They also get into why "booking the room" is a real career strategy, how casting directors remember and return to actors they love, what a post-audition thank-you note should (and shouldn't) include, and why the number of times a casting director calls you in is the real measure of your progress — not whether you booked the job. This one is practical, honest, and genuinely supportive. If you've ever been frustrated by silence after what felt like your best work, 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 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. CREDITS Host, Creator & Producer Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencasting GUESTS: Robin Carus, CSA @robincarus Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA @loudenkubin Kimberly Skyrme, CSA @kimberlyskyrme Editor MZ Studios 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.

    16 min
  4. 30 DE MARÇ

    63. What Directors Actually Want: Sheldon Epps on Casting, Comedy, and Running a Room

    What does it actually look like from the director's chair? In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by casting director Robin Carus and legendary director Sheldon Epps — whose credits span Frasier, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Girlfriends, and two decades as Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse — for a candid, insider conversation about how television and theater really function. Sheldon breaks down the difference between stepping onto a long-running hit versus shaping a show from the ground up, how much say directors actually have in casting, and what separates an actor who books from one who doesn't. The panel also tackles the pressure of hit-making in not-for-profit theater, the chemistry factor in casting, and why the best auditions feel like collaboration rather than combat. The episode closes with a live cold read and real-time feedback session with actor Jill Adler — a rare, practical look at how direction can transform a performance in real time. Whether you're an actor, a director, or someone trying to understand how decisions are made on both sides of the table, this one is full of honest insight from people who have sat in every room. SPONSOR: RAFY APP: https://rafy.app/ | Code: CONFIDENTIAL15 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 PATREON HERE For more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com. CREDITS: Host, Creator & Producer Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencasting GUESTS: Sheldon Epps Robin Carus Editor MZ Studios: https://mzstudiosdallas.com Original Music Orville Wright @ohyeahbeats: https://instagram.com/ohyeahbeats Artwork Ace Anderson @aceshotthat: https://instagram.com/aceshotthat FOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidential Join Our Community on Patreon: 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.

    53 min
  5. 23 DE MARÇ ·  CONTINGUT EXTRA

    BONUS: What We Say When You're Not in the Room

    In this roundtable episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by three casting directors for one of the most candid conversations the show has ever hosted. Kimberly Skyrme, Cheryl Louden-Kubin, and Robin Carus pull back the curtain on what actually happens after actors leave the room — what casting directors say to directors and producers, how reputations are built or quietly damaged, and why your behavior from the parking lot to the audition monitor matters just as much as your performance. The conversation covers the way casting directors advocate for actors up the chain, how prior history with a performer shapes a current submission, and what it really means when a casting director isn't effusive. The guests also dig into the importance of professionalism on set, the ongoing communication breakdowns between casting and production, and why this industry is far less of a totem pole than most actors think — and far more of a cycle where everyone depends on everyone else. Honest, practical, and packed with insider perspective, this episode is essential listening for any actor who wants to understand the long game. SPONSOR: RAFY APP Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15 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. JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON: JOIN HERE Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. For more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com. CREDITS HOST, CREATOR & PRODUCER: Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencasting ROUNDTABLE PANELISTS: Kimberly Skyrme, CSA Cheryl Louden-Kubin Robin Carus EDITOR MZ Studios 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.

    14 min
  6. 16 DE MARÇ

    62. John O'Hurley Live from the Chesapeake Film Festival

    Rose Rosen heads to the Chesapeake Film Festival for a conversation that's part masterclass, part reunion, and entirely worth your time. Joining her are actor and television icon John O'Hurley — best known as the unforgettable J. Peterman on Seinfeld and beloved host of Family Feud and Dancing with the Stars — and East Coast casting director and producer Kimberly Skyrme, the creative force behind countless regional and independent projects. John opens up about the cancellation that almost kept him from Seinfeld, the paralyzing stage fright he battled early in his career, and the single decision on opening night that changed his relationship with performing forever. He shares the philosophy he still carries every time he walks on stage — and what it actually means to own a room before you say a word. Kimberly talks about finding John at this same festival nearly a decade ago, why she consistently casts against type, and what she believes separates great casting from the kind that keeps actors in a box. Their ongoing creative partnership is a quiet testament to what happens when trust and collaboration show up on both sides of the table. The audience gets in on it too. Questions about voice acting, union cards, animation technique, and the value of studying your craft draw out some of the most candid moments in the conversation. And the episode closes with a live cold read — a local Chesapeake actor stepping up to do scene work with John in real time, with on-the-spot feedback from Rose and Kimberly. If you've ever wondered what it looks like when preparation meets opportunity, this one's 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 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. Filmed Live at the Chesapeake Film Festival https://www.instagram.com/chesapeakefilmfest/ CREDITS: Host, Creator & Producer Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencasting Co Host: Kimberly Skyrme, CSA https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyskyrme/ GUESTS: John O'Hurley Feedback Actor: Irene Magafan Special thanks: The Chesapeake Film Festival https://www.instagram.com/chesapeakefilmfest/ Robert Morris Inn https://www.instagram.com/therobertmorrisinn/ Editor: MZ Studios 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.

    54 min
  7. 9 DE MARÇ

    BONUS: What Casting Directors Actually Watch in Self-Tapes

    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.

    24 min
  8. 2 DE MARÇ

    61. Amy Landecker - From Actor to Director

    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.

    1 h 4 min

Informació

Casting Confidential is a podcast hosted by casting director Rose Rosen, CSA, offering a direct, unfiltered look at how casting actually works. Each episode features Rosen alongside a rotating co-host casting director and notable actors, pulling back the curtain on the professional relationship between actors and casting—and how decisions are really made. These are not surface-level conversations. The show focuses on process, context, and the often-misunderstood mechanics of auditions, callbacks, chemistry reads, and career-building choices. Casting Confidential is designed for actors who want clarity, not clichés. Listeners gain practical insight into what casting directors respond to, what they overlook, and how strong auditions are shaped long before a tape is submitted. The goal is simple: better information leads to better work in the room. Membership: Deeper Access, Real Feedback For actors who want to go beyond listening, the Casting Confidential Membership offers live, interactive opportunities: Monthly Performance Feedback Sessions Members submit a recent self-tape or scene and receive direct, professional feedback from casting directors. These sessions focus on specific, actionable adjustments—what’s working, what isn’t, and how to sharpen future auditions. A reader is provided.Live Episodes with Industry Guests Members are invited to exclusive live recordings featuring candid conversations with working actors and casting professionals.Casting Confidential is where casting directors speak plainly about the work—how we find actors, how we build ensembles, and what actually helps an actor stand out over time. Follow @castingconfidential on Instagram. Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—your support helps us continue bringing you substantive, high-level conversations from inside the casting room. Pull up a chair. This is how casting really works. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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