Jen Rudin Confessions Of A Casting Director | 050 - Actors Talk - Come Inside The Acting Business

JEN RUDIN - A Unique Perspective

When I was approached by publicity representative of HarperCollins about the possibility of interviewing casting director Jen Rudin about her new book CONFESSIONS OF A CASTING DIRECTOR I was immediately interested.

My interest was not solely because Jen Rudin is a busy casting director (The Incredibles, The Princess And The Frog, The Lorax, Squirrels to the Nuts), now based in New York.

No, the thing that intrigued me most is that Jen Rudin began her career as a child actor. Certainly I wanted the opportunity to have a major market casting director on Actors Talk, but to interview a former working actor who had chosen to move to the 'other side of the table,' that was interesting. And my hope was that the unique perspective of actor turned casting director would come through in Rudin's book.

Not to worry. After reading CONFESSIONS OF A CASTING DIRECTOR, I knew Jen Rudin would make a wonderful addition to the roster of experienced professionals I'm seeking to bring to you.

We couldn't possibly cover all the important topics Jen discusses in CONFESSIONS OF A CASTING DIRECTOR but below you'll hopefully find enough information that you'll see the value in adding this book to your actor's tool box.

Who Is Jen Rudin

Jen was Director of Casting and Talent Development for Disney Theatrical Productions in New York City from 2007-2009. From 2002-2007, Jen served as head of casting for Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California and she won the 2006 Artios Award for casting Chicken Little and the 2010 Artios Award for The Princess and the Frog. Additional animated films include Meet the Robinsons (2007 Artios Nomination), The Wild (2006 Artios nomination), Academy Award Winning film The Incredibles and Academy Award nominated Brother Bear. In Los Angeles, Jennifer cast the Los Angeles premiere of Jason Robert Brown’s musical “13”, winner of the 2008 LA Drama Critics Circle Award. Jen has taught Master Classes at NYU, Boston Conservatory, Northwestern University, Emerson College, Webster University, Baylor University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and University of the Arts. She lectures and teaches numerous workshops around New York City.

Prior to joining Disney in 2002, Jen was a freelance casting director for film and theater in New York City. Her independent films have premiered at such prestigious film festivals as the Tribeca Film Festival, the Los Angeles Film Festival, the Hamptons Film Festival and the Hollywood Film Festival, among others. Jen served as resident Casting Director from 2001-2002 for the esteemed Ensemble Studio Theater in New York City. She has also cast hundreds of national television commercials; including the famous “Can you hear me now?” campaign for Verizon. Upcoming films include Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, and Peter Bogdanovich’s Squirrels to the Nuts.

Jen is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in History and Women’s Studies, and a past Board Member for the Casting Society of America. In her spare time, she is an avid cyclist.

You're a hired consultant to the project. You are not: producer, director or writer. You're hired to bring them choices of actors for the project. But you don't have the final say.

Casting Background & Philosophy

Casting is about having an opinion

Jen Rudin grew up in New York City and began her professional acting career at age eight. She created many new roles in new plays, starred in several television movies, and did commercials. At age twelve, she had her first epiphany at a final callback that she wanted to be a Casting Director – a perfect blend of her photographic memory and love of actors. Her casting philosophy combines the challenge of solving the casting puzzle – who is best for the role? – while creating an honest,