The Ash Taba Show Ashley Tabatabai

On this episode I chat with LA Casting Director Paul Weber. He has cast over 75 features and shows and has 20 years in the casting profession. Paul has worked with most of the major studios and networks on numerous television series and features, the most prominent being MGM as in house casting director and executive.

We talk about:
Paul's experience as an independent casting director post working at MGM.Why Netflix is doing so well.What Paul thinks it would have been like to cast at a studio like MGM now during the streaming era.The explosion of diversity and how casting have always wanted that.Why it is essential that actors create their own work.The importance of getting the Casting Directors attention in the first 10 to 15 seconds of your self-tape and what that looks like!What making a "bold choice" means.The traits of an actor that tend to make an impression for him.If you'd like to find out more about Paul you can go to https://webercasting.com/

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On this episode I chat with actress Lucy Russell who's latest show "Atlantic Crossing" has recently won an International Emmy for Best Mini Series.  She started her acting career in her late twenties, having tried every other respectable job she could think of first and with a degree in Italian and Business from UCL in London. Her first feature was also Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas's first film, Following.

She then studied for at The Poor School, finishing in 1999 (Baz Luhrmann's 'Sunscreen' on constant replay - go on, it's worth a listen). She was cast as the 'Lady' in Academy Award Nominee Eric Rohmer's The Lady and the Duke, beginning a love affair with gorgeous period costume.

She has worked since then across genres with directors ranging from Terry Gilliam to Francois Ozon, from Paul Feig to Marc Forster and is featured in Academy Award Nominee and Golden Palm Nominee 'Toni Erdmann' (2016).

We talk about:


The experience of being on Atlantic Crossing winning an International Emmy.The differences between working on screen versus working on stage.Re-framing the meaning of "doing too much" in a performance.Why it is essential to be interested in yourself and in humanity and your own instrument as an actor.Why actors are not 100% responsible for all the storytelling.Her journey from trying every other conceivable "proper" job before pursuing acting fully.The importance of being in a regular acting class.How she navigated the decision to have kids and a family and a thriving acting career.Why having an artistic tribe is essential.You can connect with Lucy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyrussellact/ and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucyRussellAct

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On this episode I chat with LA based Casting Director Jenn Presser who is Head of Casting at Break Away Casting. 

We talk about:


The unique ability creatives have to go from crazy busy to "nothing" overnight.The benefit of being able to get out of the Hollywood "bubble".The impact of Covid costs on indie films and how that translated to casting.Experiences of working with Directors & Creatives on indie films who want an A List name attached.How casting is getting acknowledged more for its part in the creative process.Suggestions on how to make and build connections with casting offices.Why your personality matters just as much as your talent.The importance of being hands on with your career.

You can follow Jenn on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jennpresser
And check out Break Away Casting here for all of Jenn's contests: https://www.instagram.com/breakawaycasting/

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On this episode I chat with LA Casting Director Jaimie Beebe. She has worked with major brands, celebrities, and directors such as Dannon, Oikos, Childhelp, Betty White, Shaquille O’Neil, John Stamos, Billy Jayne, and more… Jaimie has cast several music videos for bands Buckcherry and Breaking 27, as well as many voiceover spots for radio.  More recently Jaimie has begun casting shorts and feature films.  Her passion is finding the perfect actor for the project she is working on to achieve the best result possible. Jaimie is also host of the highly successful podcast "Strictly Stalking".

We talk about:
The benefit of learning about casting by doing it and her start with student films.Why adopting a problem solving approach can help you with your auditions.The importance of standing out in your self tapes.Why it's essential to make sure your headshots are an accurate representation of you.The importance of your demo reel footage.The role and possible importance of social media for the modern day actor.Her experience of starting and running her own podcast "Strictly Stalking".

You can find out more about Jaimie here: http://jaimiecasting.com/
And you can follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/feathergirl77

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On this episode I welcome back solar entrepreneur Sam Goyal to the show. Sam has built & led rooftop Solar projects across SE Asia for over a decade. He is the Founder & CEO of Solar Horizon, a boutique Solar Developer focused on the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector, based out of Singapore since 2013.  He was recognised amongst the 50 Future Global Green Leaders of 2020, by the World CSR Congress, for his contribution to the growth of rooftop Solar in the SE Asia. Sam holds a Masters Degree in International Business from the University of London and is a Clean Energy Ventures Program Alumni from MIT Boston.  

We talk about:


Balancing ambition and capability.Sam's views of work life integration rather than work life balance.The journey he has undertaken professionally and personally over the last 18 months that led him to have a total 180 on his lifestyle.The parallels between artists and entrepreneurs. How to manage the gap between our desires and where we currently are at.The importance of generating a positive feedback loop.Why daily, deliberate and focused action is important.The importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance.You can follow Sam at https://www.instagram.com/samgoyal21/

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On this episode I chat with filmmaker Michael Gamarano Singleton. Michael is half Brazilian, half English and studied at London Met Film where he graduated in 2009. His work often revolves around social issues designed to make audiences think. His latest short ‘Denzel’ has a buzz around it as it starts its festival run, having recently screened at the LA International Short Film Festival.

We talk about:
Advice for anyone who has just come out of film school.The benefit of learning by doing and creating on the job.Why filmmakers should just start making their own work and not worry about money.Why actors should learn how to edit and empower themselves.His experience of running Mixing networks and how that transitioned during Covid. Including how he felt he had lost the business.Why it's important for actors to have other passions outside of acting.The experience of filming Denzel during lockdown and the considerations required of shooting during Covid.His casting documentary "‘In the Room’ which he is producing and is being back by Spotlight.His background in sport and how the mindset of that world can translate into performing arts.

You can follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micksing8/

And check out his company Mixing Networks here: https://www.mixingnetworks.com/

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