You can find a list of the 2024 Artios winners here.

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Thanks to all the recent awards shows and events occurring before Oscar night, it seems like a lot of these Oscar races are foregone conclusions by the time we get to the actual ceremony. However, that’s not the case this year, as I have discussed over the last few days. Honestly, I think Da’Vine Joy Randolph is the only sure thing, though I would be genuinely shocked if Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t also win.

Meanwhile, in the Best Actor race, it is a real toss-up between the two frontrunners. So without any further delay, let’s name the nominees. They are: Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction, Bradley Cooper for Maestro and Colman Domingo for Rustin.

First things first, as usual. I have long been a fan of both Jeffrey Wright and Colman Domingo, each of whom has earned his first Oscar nomination. Both are well deserved. Domingo gives a truly transcendent performance in a mediocre movie about the legendary activist, and it’s a pleasure to see him honored here. Wright, who is for my money the best James Gordon ever to appear on the big screen, is just as tremendous in writer-director Cord Jefferson’s winning satire. They both belong here, but neither one is going to win. Sometimes in these commentaries I talk about how a certain performance might win an award in any other year, but I honestly think that doesn’t apply to either of these men or their work. I think, as good as these performances are, they are good enough to be nominated in just about any given year, but never to win.

However, since both performances are this year, then the conversation becomes academic, and so we move on to Bradley Cooper. This is a special case. Maestro is the second film he has directed, and he has starred in both, each time directing himself to a Best Actor nomination. A few years ago, when he did it with A Star Is Born, he lost the Oscar to Rami Malek, playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. In the lead-up to that Oscar ceremony, I said that Malek was going to win and that he deserved it. As time has gone by, though, that judgment hasn’t aged well. Especially — and you might find this odd, but I will explain — after seeing Taron Egerton’s performance as Elton John in Rocketman. Both Egerton and Cooper sang their own songs, while Malek lip-synched his. Also, Cooper directed himself, which is not easy. Don’t get me wrong, Rami was terrific in the movie, but in retrospect, I think Brad was robbed.

This year, however, no hindsight will change the fact that, while he is as outstanding as Leonard Bernstein, it feels like he was absolutely begging the Academy to give him an Oscar. I believe that there’s a desperation to the movie that somehow taints it. Maybe it’s because so many people — myself included — feel like he chose to tell the wrong story, I don’t know, but while I enjoyed the film, it wasn’t as good as maybe it should have been. I know a lot of other people feel that way, too, which is one more reason why he won’t win this.

The two biggest reasons for Cooper’s loss are Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti, both of whom are off-the-charts brilliant in Oppenheimer and The Holdovers, respectively. These two are so good, it’s almost a shame they had to happen in the same year because they both deserve to win. Murphy transforms himself into the father of the atomic bomb, and no matter what I may think of the movie as a whole — I think it’s very good, but not great. I know I’m in the minority here, both about the film and Christopher Nolan, who I think is a fantastic filmmaker, while also being terribly overrated.

Murphy’s brilliance is undeniable, but the same can be said for Giamatti, who never seems to do anything that isn’t amazing. That’s certainly true here, as he takes a difficult character who verges on the supremely unlikable, and gives him heart and charisma, while also pulling off a genuine arc. The moment at the end of the movie in which his wall-eyed teacher tells his young charge which eye is the right one to look at does something that’s incredibly hard for an actor to pull off. The delivery is matter-of-fact, but the meaning behind it is so deep, without coming off as maudlin or cloying, it can bring tears to your eyes. It sure did to mine.

These two guys are in a real horse race. Murphy has been the frontrunner since his movie premiered in July, and while Giamatti has been in the race since he turned up on screens in October, his rise to challenge Murphy has happened slowly, a bit at a time, as more and more people saw The Holdovers and found themselves talking about Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Paul Giamatti and holy cow, were they phenomenal or what? As that’s happened, Giamatti has caught Murphy, and I dare say surged past him. The charming photo of Giamatti at an In-N-Out Burger after winning the Golden Globe can only help.

It really could go to either guy, but I don’t care that Murphy won the SAG award. I still think Giamatti pulls it out in the end. I won’t be devastated if he doesn’t, because Murphy will have earned it, but both my heart and my head say that the trophy goes home with Paul. Maybe even to In-N-Out Burger.

Who Should Win: Paul Giamatti
Who Will Win: Paul Giamatti

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As much as I loved her as and in Barbie, I don’t know who I would remove from the list of nominees in her stead. All five of them are more than deserving, and I refuse to play that game where I complain about someone not getting a nomination and then failing to say who should not have. You might recall that just a few weeks ago, I said Rachel Weisz deserved Lizzy Caplan’s Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or TV Movie, and I have had a crush on Lizzy for over a decade. Empty talk is not my thing.

Let’s get into who the nominees are. They are: Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon, Emma Stone for Poor Things, Carey Mulligan for Maestro, Annette Bening for Nyad and Sandra Hüller for Anatomy of a Fall.

Carey Mulligan is a phenomenally talented actress who has now earned three Oscar nominations, and I think she deserved to win three years ago over Frances McDormand, who won for Nomadland. What Mulligan did in Promising Young Woman was incredible, and it’s fair to say that she never gives anything but a spectacular performance. The same is true this year for what she did in Maestro, but that movie just never really measured up to the hype. And while she and her director and co-star Bradley Cooper (more about him tomorrow) both deserve their places here, neither is going to win.

Nor, for that matter, is Sandra Hüller, who I think is an amazing talent and I love seeing everything she does. Anatomy of a Fall is an outstanding film that is carried by her performance, and honestly, I think she’s the reason why Robbie isn’t on this list. Or possibly Annette Bening, who is simply astonishing as Diana Nyad in the Netflix film.

It’s not always easy to play a difficult, possibly unlikable character, but Bening nails it in an enormously watchable performance that, more than once, made me turn to my wife and say, “She’s just incredible. Isn’t she incredible?” If I had a vote, I think it would be for her, because she’s just so good. Bening’s been doing this for decades, has been nominated five times and deserved to win at least once (I would have given her the Oscar for her work in The Kids Are All Right over Natalie Portman in Black Swan). I think she deserves it again here, but like Hüller, I think her nomination is the reward.

About that comment regarding who took Robbie’s nomination, think about it. Mulligan was a lock from day one, as were the other two actresses I’m about to discuss, which means that for whatever reason, they went with the two esteemed veterans over Robbie. If you’re asking me how I would have voted, I’m honestly not sure. Emma Stone, Lily Gladstone, Mulligan and Bening for sure. That leaves Hüller.

I have to say, I think I give it to Hüller here, maybe by a whisker. The irony of Ryan Gosling’s nomination for playing Ken while Robbie wasn’t for playing Barbie is obvious, but that doesn’t mean Hüller doesn’t deserve to be here.

I will once again reference my policy noted above. Whose nomination would you take away so that Robbie could be here? I’m genuinely asking. If you feel strongly enough to talk about it, you can message me at @6wordreviews on Instagram. As long as you’re civil, I promise I’ll respond.

Now, to the two actresses who could actually win this. Stone and Gladstone.

We’ll discuss Gladstone first because she’s not in as much of her movie as the other nominees are in theirs. There is precedence in this very category, though, once again involving the great McDormand, who won it for Fargo 1997 despite only appearing in 36 minutes of a 98-minute movie. Her co-star, William H. Macy, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor despite appearing in 38 minutes. When you think of that film, who do you think of? Of course, you think of McDormand’s Marge, and the same is true of Killers. Gladstone is the heart and soul of the film. Even if she’s not in it as much as Leonardo DiCaprio or Robert De Niro, to call her performance anything other than a lead role is an insult.

Stone, of course, has a more conventional lead role in Poor Things, a terrific take on the Frankenstein story. It’s hard not to consider Emma Stone as one of the finest —if not the finest— actress of her generation. By the way, this is a generation that includes Carey Mulligan (Stone is 35, Mulligan is 38). Stone has been nominated for her acting four times (she has a Best Picture nod this year as well, as one of Poor Things’ producers), and I think we can all expect this to be far from the last time she and Mulligan square off in this category.

If all things were totally equal, I believe Stone would win this award. However, all things are not equal, which is why I don’t believe she will. In my mind, there are two very important factors working against her. The first is Gladstone potentially becoming the first Native American actress to win an Oscar. I think that will be a very hard thing for people to pass up and miss out on being a part of something special, even tangentially, by voting for her.

The other is a bit more sinister: jealousy. Honestly, I think that is just a big part of what will keep Stone from winning. I think the concept of an actress capturing this award twice before she turns 36 is too much for too many people in this town to handle. Will that keep her from ever winning again? No, but I do think it will keep her from winning this year, hence my conviction that Gladstone will make history instead.

Who Should Win: Annette Bening
Who Will Win: Lily Gladstone

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The post Predicting the 96th Academy Awards Winners: Best Actress Category appeared first on Casting Networks.

Not since Annie Hall won the Best Picture prize in 1977 has a comedy won it all, which is the same year the Best Actor trophy went to someone in a comedy (Richard Dreyfus for The Goodbye Girl).

So it’s a bit strange that female comedic performances, in both lead and supporting categories, tend to get their due, as do supporting male performances. It doesn’t happen often (thrice in the last dozen years in the Best Actress category —the same amount of wins in 26 years for Supporting Actress— and four times in the last 20 for Supporting Actor), but it does happen. People in the supporting categories tend to regularly show up from these other genres as well, up to and including last year, when Angela Bassett earned a nod for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Why am I talking about this? Well, let’s take a look at the nominees and all will become clear. They are: Mark Ruffalo for Poor Things, Robert De Niro for Killers of the Flower Moon, the aforementioned Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer, Sterling K. Brown for American Fiction and Ryan Gosling for Barbie.

You’re up to speed now, right? Great. Let’s dive in. Ruffalo has been here before — most recently for Spotlight — and that’s only interesting because I think that he took a nomination from one of his co-stars in that movie, too. Taking nothing away from the actor’s work in either film, I thought Michael Keaton should have been nominated for the 2017 Best Picture winner, just as I was sort of stunned that Willem Dafoe didn’t get one this year for Poor Things. I don’t ultimately think that’s why he’s not going to win, but neither do I believe I’m alone in this belief.

Robert De Niro has had something of a renaissance lately. I was totally surprised he didn’t get a nod a few years back for The Irishman, but his work as a fiendishly evil oil man in Flowers is his best work in years, so it makes sense to me that the actors’ branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized him.

That said, I don’t think he’s winning this, either, nor for that matter is Sterling K. Brown, who is fantastic in American Fiction, in another comedic role. In most other years, just as I would put Jodie Foster in the pole position for Supporting Actress, I would do the same for what Brown does in Cord Jefferson’s terrific movie.

But this year, he’s against a juggernaut and a spoiler. The former is RDJ, the latter is Ryan Gosling. RDJ is a brilliant actor and it’s refreshing to see him show up here. Don’t get me wrong, I loved his Tony Stark (see above) and I enjoy his Sherlock Holmes, but did you know that aside from a cameo or two this is only the fourth major role he has had in the last 16 years that wasn’t either Iron Man or Sherlock?

It’s both rewarding and frustrating to see him be so good here because it reminds us not only how talented he is, but also what we’ve been missing for the last decade and a half. His work here in Oppenheimer is spectacular, and I think it’s sort of a foregone conclusion that he’s going to win this. Generally speaking, I’m fine with that and won’t be terribly upset about it, because he’s a talented and admired person and this will be as much a career reward as it is for this particular performance. Won’t be the first time that’s happened, won’t be the last.

As much as I love RDJ, and as much as I thought he was dynamite in Oppenheimer, I think Gosling deserves this a bit more. I mean, the degree of difficulty alone in playing Ken the way he did is daunting enough, but for him to pull it off?

Margot Robbie is amazing as Barbie, but Gosling steals every scene he’s in, which is saying something when one considers how much talent is around him. I like his overall oeuvre as much as the next person and love how consistently good he is, but this is a different level entirely. I wonder if this isn’t going to be a situation like the Best Actor race a couple of years ago, when Anthony Hopkins upset Chadwick Boseman because people kept saying, “Chadwick’s gonna win, but I’m voting for Sir Anthony.” Not saying that will happen this time, I’m saying it could.

Ultimately, I think it’s RDJ’s to lose. If anyone is going to pull an upset, it’s Gosling. That win would be well deserved.

Who Should Win: Ryan Gosling
Who Will Win: Robert Downey Jr.

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The post Predicting the 96th Academy Awards Winners: Best Supporting Actor Category appeared first on Casting Networks.

TLDR: I’m back and I’m ready to make predictions.

The rules are the same as in past years. I will talk about each category and single out the performer who I believe deserves the award, then tell you who I think is going to win, as they are not always the same. This year there are at least two instances of this —though neither of them appears today— as we talk about the Best Supporting Actress division. So let’s get right to it and mention the nominees.

They are: America Ferrera for Barbie, Danielle Brooks for The Color Purple, Da’Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers, Emily Blunt for Oppenheimer and Jodie Foster for Nyad.

Danielle Brooks is a wonderful actress who is delightful in The Color Purple, but her nomination is her award, especially since she is the only one from this much-anticipated movie whose name appears in this year’s tally of nominees.

Similarly, while I adore America Ferrera as an actress (and think she is terrific in Barbie), she is essentially nominated for a single monologue at the end of the movie. Her inclusion here was one of the biggest surprises of Nomination Day, so that alone should tell you something. Honestly, with all the hubbub of Margot Robbie not being nominated for Best Actress (more about that later), if she had been given The Monologue, it would be academic.

Ferrera’s nomination didn’t perplex me like Emily Blunt’s did. I’m a big fan of hers, too (okay, I am a big fan of all 20 nominees, and let’s stipulate that any criticism I might make is about the movie in which they appear and not them personally), but was sort of stunned that she has received as much awards season love as she has. Her role in Oppenheimer as Mrs. Oppenheimer is sort of a nothing part with one big scene at the end, which, like, Ferrera, is probably the reason why she’s here.

One of my big complaints about any Christopher Nolan film is how poorly he writes women, and Blunt’s character is no exception. Now that I think about it, the fact that she was able to do as much as she did without much to work with is probably why people have been so generous with the nominations this winter. This makes more sense to me.

I was thrilled that Jodie Foster earned a nod for Nyad, one of my favorite movies of the year. I actually wasn’t sure enough people would recognize her for a performance that was not nearly as flashy as the others, and was opposite powerhouse work by lead actress Annette Bening (again, we’ll come back to her in a couple of days). Foster never does anything but great work, but this is still the first time she’s been nominated in 29 years.

Like Tom Hanks, Foster is so consistently excellent that she rarely gets recognition for it. But her work in Nyad is the calming presence the movie needs, and she shines as brightly as Bening does. In most years, I would be firmly on Team Jodie to take home her third such trophy.

But this is not that year, because it is Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s year. Have you seen The Holdovers? If it’s not my favorite movie this year, it’s in the top three, and she’s a big part of the reason why.

Randolph, who is so hilarious as a profane NYPD detective on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, is simply transcendent here as a mourning mother who finds herself in an unlikely trio of abandoned people at a prep school in 1970s Massachusetts. She is funny, she’s heartbreaking and she ably rides that delicate balance of never becoming maudlin or melodramatic. It’s a career-defining role that blew my mind and made me certain that she will take this thing for a walk.

Who Should Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Who Will Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph

The 2024 Oscars takes place on March 10 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on ABC.

Casting directors use Casting Networks every day to discover people like you. Sign up or log in today to get one step closer to your next role.

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The post Predicting the 96th Academy Awards Winners: Best Supporting Actress Category first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post Predicting the 96th Academy Awards Winners: Best Supporting Actress Category appeared first on Casting Networks.

Jump into spring with these 31 handpicked activities!

Advice & Inspiration:

1. Start an Actor’s Book Club with fellow actors to read and discuss books on acting techniques, biographies of successful actors and plays. This can provide both inspiration and practical advice. You can begin with the book Sanford Meisner On Acting.

2. Host Inspirational Movie Nights focusing on films known for their exceptional acting. Discuss the performances and what can be learned from them. How about The Godfather directed by Francis Ford Coppola? This classic film features stellar performances by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and James Caan, among others.

3. Organize a series of talks with experienced actors, directors or casting agents who can share their insights and advice on navigating the industry.

4. Hold a workshop where actors can create vision boards to visualize their goals and aspirations. This can be a powerful motivational tool.

5. Participate in or organize a masterclass with a renowned actor or acting coach to learn advanced techniques and gain valuable advice.

6. Set up Peer Review Sessions where actors can perform scenes or monologues and receive constructive feedback from their peers. This is a great way to learn and grow.

7. Start an Industry Podcast Listening Group to listen to and discuss podcasts about acting and the entertainment industry. Happy Sad Confused is a great podcast to listen to host Joshua Horowitz speak with Jennifer Lawrence, Samuel L. Jackson, Florence Pugh and Tom Hiddleston, to name a few.

8. Conduct a Career Goal-setting Workshop focused on setting clear, achievable career goals and creating a plan to reach them. This can help actors stay focused .

9. Organize Mental Health and Wellness seminars on topics such as dealing with rejection, maintaining mental health and work-life balance in the acting profession. Adult coloring books are all the rage to help reduce anxiety and stress.

10. Arrange an evening of Success Story Nights where actors can share their personal success stories, challenges overcome and lessons learned. This can be inspiring and encouraging for others.

11. Learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it’s affecting the entertainment world. Period. Do not hesitate to soak up this information. Here’s an interesting article about how Shane Black, Jim Herzfeld and more top writers are fighting AI.

12. This month’s social media spotlight goes to Evan Kirstel. Evan is a tech enthusiast and one of the biggest social media influencers, focusing on the impact of tech advancements on marketing. Check him out to see how he can help with your career. We are in show business, of course!

What to watch:

13. Spaceman (sci-fi movie) starring Adam Sandler comes to Netflix on March 1. Six months into a solitary research mission to the edge of the solar system, an astronaut, Jakub (Adam Sandler), realizes that the marriage he left behind might not be waiting for him when he returns to Earth.

14. The Regime (drama mini-series) drops on Max March 3. Kate Winslet stars in the new HBO Original limited series. The series depicts a year within the palace of a crumbling authoritarian regime. After not leaving the palace for quite some time, Chancellor Elena Vernham becomes increasingly paranoid and unstable and turns to a volatile soldier, Herbert Zubak, as an unlikely confidant.

15. The Netflix Slam (tennis showdown) can be seen on the streamer on March 3. Two tennis greats square off in a one-of-a-kind exhibition match from Las Vegas when 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal takes on fellow countryman and No. 2-ranked Carlos Alcaraz.

16. The Masked Singer Season 11 (competition) premieres on Hulu on March 7. New themes, new singers and even a new panelist! Here’s a first look at everything fresh and exciting coming in the new season.

17. Little Wing (coming of age film) arrives on Paramount+ on March 13. Oscar-nominated director Selma Vilhunen’s debut feature centers on 12-year-old Varpu’s search for her own identity. Sick of dealing with her immature single mother, Varpu hits the road to find her biological father.

18. The Girls on the Bus, Season 1 (political drama) comes to Max on March 14. This spunky drama traces the journey of four female journalists who find themselves immersed in the whirlwind of the United States presidential campaign trail. Initially competitors from various media organizations, they quickly form a close-knit group, sharing experiences from their professional and personal lives while navigating the chaos of reporting on the nation’s most significant quadrennial competition. Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Natasha Behnam and Christina Elmore star.

19. 3 Body Problem (sci-fi series) hits Netflix on March 21. It’s the first show from David Benioff and D.B. Weiss since Game of Thrones. Alexander Woo is also part of the creative team. Based on the book The Three-Body Problem, the show immerses audiences in mysteries and earth-shattering discoveries before potentially catastrophic consequences come to life as we know it.

20. Immaculate (Horror/Mystery film) hits theaters on March 22. An American nun embarks on a new journey when she joins a remote convent in the Italian countryside. However, her warm welcome quickly turns into a living nightmare when she discovers her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors.

Wellness Activities:

21. Mindfulness Meditation Retreat: Organize a weekend retreat focused on mindfulness meditation techniques. This can help actors reduce stress, improve focus and enhance their emotional well-being.

22. Nutrition Workshop: Arrange a workshop with a nutritionist who specializes in the needs of performers. Actors can learn about foods that boost energy, improve concentration and support overall health.

23. Voice Care Seminar: Attend or arrange a seminar on voice care techniques, including vocal warm-ups, hydration tips and ways to prevent strain. This is especially important for actors who rely heavily on their voice for their craft.

24. Self-Care Day: Plan a self-care day with activities like massage therapy, aromatherapy and relaxation techniques. This can provide a much-needed break and rejuvenation for busy actors.

25. Nature Walks and Outdoor Activities: Organize group nature walks or outdoor activities in scenic locations. This can help actors disconnect from the pressures of the industry, reconnect with nature and find inspiration in the natural world.

26. Immerse yourself in a Zig Zag Word Search puzzle book geared toward hikers and bikers. It’s the perfect companion for relaxing after a long day on the trail or for planning your next adventure.

Live / Virtual Events:

27. National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day is a holiday on March 1 that is dedicated to jazz, fine, visual, performing and auditory arts in all its glory.

28. The 96th Academy Awards take over the screen on March 10. Presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the ceremony will honor the best films of 2023 and is scheduled to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

29. Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 10 and ends Sunday, November 3. We lose an hour in March (as opposed to gaining an hour in the fall) to accommodate for more daylight in the summer evenings. So on March 10 at 2 a.m., be sure to “spring forward” your clocks by one hour. Fun fact: Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) do not follow DST. Neither do the territories of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

30. The 2024 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. EST on March 16 in New York City (even though St. Patrick’s Day is officially on the 17th. If you’re in the area, this parade is not to be missed!

31. March 31 is Easter, following the first full moon after the spring equinox.

Casting directors use Casting Networks every day to discover people like you. Sign up or log in today to get one step closer to your next role.

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The post 31 Exciting Activities for Every Day in March first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post 31 Exciting Activities for Every Day in March appeared first on Casting Networks.

Aside from the game itself, Super Bowl commercials are the star of the event, providing us with some of the most creative advertising campaigns you’ll see all year. And finding the right cast plays a huge part. We wanted to congratulate commercial casting directors on their hard work and creative vision on their commercials. Super Bowl commercials are so celebrated, the day is possibly the only time where people look forward to them.

Speaking of which, did you know that some of your favorites were cast on Casting Networks?

From Uber Eats to Verizon, we’re bringing a collection of some of the many Super Bowl commercials showcasing actors on our platform.

If you were cast in one of this year’s Super Bowl commercials, let us know by sharing your success story !

Honorable Mention — State Farm: Like a Good Neighbaaa (feat. Arnold Schwarzenegger & Danny DeVito)

While shooting an action movie for State Farm, Arnold Schwarzenegger has trouble with his lines due to his accent. Danny DeVito shows up to correct him and give us the Twins reunion we didn’t know we needed. Why is this spot an honorable mention? It was cast on our sister site, Casting Frontier.

Cast by: Ryan Bernstein of RMB Casting and Beth Melsky of Beth Melsky Casting

Opendoor: Halftime Showing LIVE Conclusion

In a bold live commercial spot, the Couch family scores a touchdown of their own when they get their final offer on their house just in time to watch the rest of the game.

Cast by: Erica Henderson of Sharkbait Casting

Pizza Hut: Sweet Meats Heat: Pizza Hut’s Hottest New Power Couple

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito and Antonia Gentry blow up the sports world and social media when the two are spotted walking into a limo with Pizza Hut. Gentry and Devito comment on the situation as “sweet and heat” and “hot honey,” which only adds to the frenzy as the truth isn’t as saucy as it seems.

Cast by: Brad Davis of Marquee Entertainment Casting / Brad Davis Casting

He Gets Us: Who is My Neighbor?

This quick spot showcases various images of people we see daily. It may be just 15 seconds, but it highlights an important life lesson.

Cast by: Rina Bale of Cast-O-Matic

Verizon: Can’t B Broken

In a quest to break Verizon, Beyonce achieves a cacophony of wild goals. Can she break Verizon, or will she have to settle for just breaking the internet?

Cast by: Kirkland Moody & Bobby Bolton of Clockwork Casting

Reese’s: Reese’s Cups Big Game Commercial 2024 | Yes!

A group of friends goes to the extremes when it comes to Reese’s caramel cups. Mixed signals from the narrator creates a world of chaos inside this house on game day.

Cast by: Kirkland Moody & Bobby Bolton of Clockwork Casting

Bud Light: Easy Night Out | Easy to Drink Easy to Enjoy

If you reached into your fridge for a Bud Light and a genie popped out, what would you wish for? This group of friends don’t waste any time on their desires and have an epic time, making more outrageous wishes along the way.

Cast by: Kirkland Moody & Bobby Bolton of Clockwork Casting

Carl’s Jr.: Jets | The Big Game | Free Burger Day

In a spot that screams Top Gun, two jet pilots are on a mission when one gets a craving for burgers. When he can’t help himself, he goes rogue in stunning fashion.

Cast by: Kirkland Moody & Bobby Bolton of Clockwork Casting

Doritos: Dina & Mita

A man gets more than he bargained for when he grabs the last bag of Doritos Dinamita, drawing the ire of Wednesday star Jenna Ortega’s abuelas, Dina and Mita. The poor guy gets sucked into an action movie as he’s hunted down for the explosive snack.

Cast by: Dan Bell of Dan Bell Casting and Liz Lewis and Aika Greenidge (assoc) of Liz Lewis Casting Partners

Uber Eats: Don’t Forget Uber Eats

Jennifer Aniston, Jelly Roll and a host of others invoke words of questionable wisdom to ensure they remember Uber Eats, leading to varying levels of awkward moments.

Cast by: Ross Lacy of Ross Lacy Casting
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Volkswagen: Big Game Commercial 2024

Volkswagen takes us through the car company’s 75 year history, providing a highlight reel of iconic moments in TV and film along the way as Neil Diamond’s “I Am, I Said” ties it all together.

Cast by: Dan Bell of Dan Bell Casting

Congratulations to all the casting directors and actors for all the hard work and dedication that went into making these spots happen!

Were you cast in a Super Bowl commercial? Share your success story with us today!

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The post 10 Super Bowl Commercials Cast on Casting Networks first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post 10 Super Bowl Commercials Cast on Casting Networks appeared first on Casting Networks.

Welcome to your first actor activities roundup of 2024, where we recommend everything from enriching exercises to top-notch events for each day of the month. Kick things off with our daily dose of inspiration, designed to bring you joy and get you one step closer to achieving your goals.

A new year means new opportunities to make your dreams come true. Let the journey begin!

Advice & Inspiration:

1. First things first, do you have an actor kit? In addition to updating your casting profiles, one way to get ready for the year ahead is to create a shareable folder with all your acting materials organized. This way when you have interest from casting or a new agent – you have everything in one place.

2. Variety’s latest crop of Actors on Actors includes a Devil Wears Prada reunion with Anne Hathway and Emily Blunt, plus more dazzling duos to get you inspired.

3. With the SAG-AFTRA strike’s end and a new year beginning, get inspired by these 10 updated “game plans” for pursuing an acting career in an updated industry.

4. New year, new reel: check out Actor Footage, a demo reel editing service that tailors clips to an artist’s strengths. The best part? The service is run by an actor who understands the hustle.

5. We also advise freshening up your photos. Do you have these 7 headshot looks ready to go?

6. Tony-winning Aladdin star James Monroe Iglehart (Hamilton, Spamalot) shares insights about taking care of yourself as a performer and more inspiring nuggets on The Art of Kindness podcast.

7. Arm yourself with knowledge of SAG-AFTRA’s A.I. protections in the TV/Theatrical Contracts as we enter unprecedented times for the landscape.

8. Query of the month: What makes you uniquely you? Ponder all the unique things you bring to the table and how you can weave that into your pitch as an actor.

9. Our first social media spotlight of the month goes to the extraordinary Erica S Bream, CSA: OK, so we may have highlighted her in years past, but she’s just that good. Start the year by diving into the Casting Director’s treasure trove of a feed, featuring tangible advice for actors.

New Content:

10. Butter some popcorn and work your way through Variety’s list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.

11. Did you get a chance to see the top holiday releases? From Bradley Cooper’s Maestro to The Color Purple, immerse yourself in the performances that bowed out in 2023.

12. The Brothers Sun (action series) – Netflix, January 4: Creator Brad Falchuk (American Horror Story) delivers an action-packed series with a comedic punch. Emphasis on the punch. Follows Charles Sun (Justin Chien), a Taipei gangster who’s settled into ruthless killer mode, but must go to L.A. to protect his mother (Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh) and younger brother after his father was shot by a mysterious assassin.

13. Good Grief (dramedy) – Netflix, January 5: No this isn’t a Charlie Brown spin-off. Start the new year with a therapeutic cry session as Schitt’s Creek maven Dan Levy makes his feature writer-director debut with a story centered on growth, as the title suggests, grief.

14. Night Swim (horror film) – Backstrokes into theaters on January 5: Start the year on a scary note – if you’re into that sort of thing. Based on a short film of the same name, a family is terrorized at night by an evil spirit that dwells in their pool.

15. Mean Girls (movie musical) – hits theaters January 12: Get in, actor friends – we’re going to the movies! As you’ve probably heard, the musical version of Tina Fey’s cult classic film Mean Girls is strutting onto the big screen. Watch for laughs, toe-tappin’ tunes and lots of pink-glazed nostalgia.

16. True Detective: Night Country (series) – Max, January 14: Jodie Foster headlines the fourth installment of the acclaimed detective anthology series, which follows the disappearance of eight men from a research facility in Alaska.

17. Griselda (limited crime series) – Netflix, January 25: Sofia Vergara returns to television with a darker flare. The Modern Family staple channels Griselda Blanco, the real-life woman responsible for one of the most profitable cartels in history.

18. Time recommends two new January books for readers: Poet Kaveh Akbar’s debut novel Martyr! and Come and Get It by Kiley Reid.

Wellness Activities:

19. Monthly wellness tip: the start of a new year is refreshing and at the same time can be filled with pressure. Release the pressure of nailing a resolution and instead set a really specific and actionable career goal for the year that you can work toward. Do you want to book your first costar TV role? Do you want to work at a certain regional theater? Make it really specific!

20. January affirmation: “In the year ahead, I release the things I cannot control and focus on what I can: myself and my growth”.

21. We don’t want to be like every other New Year’s guide out there, but the start of the year is always a good time to check in on your physical health. Do you have a fitness plan that works for you? Try some and commit to the one you like best.

22. Artsy classes that enhance your career are wonderful, but how about the ones that feed your soul? We challenge you to pick up a hobby outside the industry. Set a curious tone for 2024 by learning something new this month.

23. Winter can be isolating – so do your best to take part in winter fun with friends. When the weather outside gets frightful, an indoor skating rink is delightful. Round up your squad and go sledding, skating, snowshoeing – whatever you’d like as long as it’s an activity that allows you to connect with other humans!

Live/Virtual Events:

24. Ever wanted to attend a live TV taping? Check out which live shows film in your area and get tickets for one!

25. Awards show Barbie is strutting on through! Kick off awards season with the 81st annual Golden Globes hosted by first-timer Jo Koy on CBS Sunday, January 7.

26. Broadway titans Tony-winner Kelli O’Hara and Bran D’Arcy James play opposite each other once again as a married couple navigating substance abuse in the Broadway premiere of Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas’ new musical Days of Wine and Roses, starting previews on January 6, 2024.

27. Speaking of the world’s biggest stage, did you know that lauded performers Sarah Paulson and Elle Fanning are currently clearing all sinuses on Broadway with intense performances? Get inspired by the duo in Appropriate at Second Stage Theater.

28. Let’s get critical! Chelsea Handler hosts the Critics Choice Awards ceremony on the CW on January 14.

29. Awards season heats up with the Television Academy’s 75th Emmy Awards hosted by Anthony Anderson on FOX on January 15.

30. Along the way, keep an eye out for major nomination announcements from the Oscars, SAG-Aftra, BAFTA and more.

31. Happy New Year! Don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments from 2023. Here’s to more making dreams come true in 2024!

Casting directors use Casting Networks every day to discover people like you. Sign up or log in today to get one step closer to your next role.

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The post 31 Activities for Actors to Kick Off the New Year first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post 31 Activities for Actors to Kick Off the New Year appeared first on Casting Networks.

Advice & Inspiration:

1. A new year is just around the corner, use this downtime from the strike to clean up your materials (faster than you lick clean your Thanksgiving plate)! Try tips from Casting Director Erica S. Beam.
2. November marks National Native American Heritage Month, let this inspire you to seek out content powered by Native American creatives.
3. How can you support local arts? Join The Art of Kindness podcast for a thought-provoking conversation on the state of regional theatre with the Producing Artistic Director of the Tony-winning Pasadena Playhouse.
4. Does getting ready for an audition stress you out? Implement these 4 subtle tips for using your look to enhance your performance.
5. This month’s social media spotlight goes to the Empowered Artists Collective: A community for women and non-binary artists seeking a sustainable and thriving career in the arts.

Content Recommendations:

6. While actors aren’t promoting new projects during the strike, November is a wonderful month to reflect on creators you’re grateful for. If possible, support these creators by subscribing to their channels, giving to their fundraisers or simply just sharing their content.
7. Check out an old favorite flick set in the fall or a family dinner table drama like August Osage County to reap in some good old, autumnal acting.
8. Browse Good Reads’ list of highly-anticipated fiction books releasing November, for some fresh stories.
9. In Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Impostor Syndrome, Aparna Nancherla delves into the spiraling world of impostor syndrome, offering a humorous and profound examination of this phenomenon from the vantage point of a thriving comic.
10. Saturday Night Live breakout Leslie Jones takes readers on her journey from childhood to her scrappy way of navigating comedy as a woman in Leslie F*cking Jones.
11. Icon Barbra Streisand’s long-awaited memoir, My Name is Barbra, soars onto shelves on November 7, chronicling her dazzling life.
12. Already one of the biggest celebrity memoir releases of all time, Britney Spears tells her astonishing story on her terms in The Woman in Me.
13. John Stamos scribes a poignant Hollywood tale in his new memoir If You Would Have Told Me.
14. While you may have seen clips from Jada Pinkett Smith’s raw memoir Worthy circulating, the full book goes behind closed doors of the well-known artist.
15. Amy Poehler channels a marriage counselor in the hilarious new scripted podcast Say More with Dr? Sheila.

Wellness Activities:

16. Monthly wellness tip: People feel under the weather when outside gets frightful, therefore washing hands more frequently is always important and delightful.
17. November affirmation: I am willing to release judgment of others because that will help me release judgment of myself, making me more free of judgment.
18. Start your day by taking 5 minutes to give thanks with The Gratitude Journal, which aims to cultivate happiness through gratitude.
19. Spending more time indoors as the weather chills doesn’t mean you can’t maintain a good workout regimen. Join Built for the Stage – a community of actors looking to better their fitness abilities.
20. Though giving thanks is the trendy term for November, don’t forget to give yourself grace. It’s a tough year to be a performer, but that doesn’t mean you have to be tough on yourself.

Live/ Virtual Events:

21. Country music’s biggest night strums onto screens on November 8, with the CMA Awards. hosted by two-time CMA entertainer of the year Luke Bryan and NFL superstar Peyton Manning, the ceremony airs on ABC.
22. World Kindness Day sparkles over the globe on November 13th. Celebrate with The Art of Kindness podcast’s 100th episode special launch!
23. Happy Thanksgiving, friends! We’re grateful that you’re here.
24. A remarkable true story dances onto Broadway when How to Dance in Ohio begins previews on November 15. This feel-good show is based on the award-winning HBO documentary, exploring the need for human connection.
25. If all you want for the holidays is to see Christmas Queen Mariah Carey, you’re in luck. The icon is set to kick off the holidays at the Hollywood Bowl on November 17, with her show Merry Christmas One and All!
26. Get ready to jam to your favorite tunes of the year when the Billboard Music Awards airs on November 19.
27. The late great Stephen Sondheim’s last new musical Here We Are has arrived, playing at The Shed in NYC.
28. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls through the Big Apple bright and early on November 23. Let the glitzy show be your appetizer for the day, with performances from world-renowned talent.
29. Awards season starts sizzling with the 33rd annual Gotham Awards in NYC on November 27, honoring the cream of the crop in indie films.
30. Sarah Paulson and Elle Fanning lead a fantastic cast of players in the dark comedy Appropriate at Second Stages, starting November 29.

There are plenty of strike-compliant roles available on Casting Networks. Sign up or log in and see what’s casting near you today!

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The post 30 Activities to Fill Your November With Joy first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post 30 Activities to Fill Your November With Joy appeared first on Casting Networks.

Advice & Inspiration:

1. Don’t let stage directions trip your audition up! Try these five tips for navigating evocative stage direction in theatrical auditions from Casting Director Erica S. Beam.
2. Need a creative kick in the pumpkin these days? Check out comedian Kristina Wong’s recent advice for creating during difficult times.
3. Sweeney Todd and Hamilton star Daniel Yearwood drops countless gems of wisdom on The Art of Kindness podcast.
4. Watch legendary film director Martin Scorsese break down his most iconic films.
5. Artios Award-nominated Casting Director Erica Hart gives actors the keys to unlocking a great self-tape in conversation with SAG-AFTRA.
6. While you may throw an annual celebration for Kelly Ripa’s birthday in October, it’s a great time to listen to her new podcast Let’s Talk Off Camera, featuring candid conversations with artists like Carol Burnett, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Salma Hayek and more.
7. This month’s social media spotlight goes to theater creator Katharine Quinn. Follow along for Broadway adventures, gear-turning creative conversations and more.

What to Watch/Read:

8. While actors aren’t promoting new projects during the strike, Halloween is the perfect time to take a look at horror films of the past that boast terrifyingly terrific acting. The first performance that comes to mind is Kathy Bates’ Oscar-winning turn in Stephen King’s Misery.
9. Hello, Clarice. Anthony Hopkins turned a simple greeting into a phenomenon with his spine-tingling portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. Also starring a brave Jodie Foster, Silence is the only horror film to win a Best Picture Oscar.
10. Speaking of iconic horror quips, “Here’s Johnny!” may take the creepy cake. The Shining sees Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall snowed in and sinister.
11. Lupita Nyong’o pulls double duty in Jordan Peele’s Us delivering the petrifying performance of a lifetime.
12. Carrie remains one of the most iconic scary movies to date, in large part due to Sissy Spacek’s bloody good performance.
13. Many viewers daring enough to watch Heredity believe that Toni Collette should have won an Oscar for her artistry.
14. Jordan Peele’s Get Out totally changed the horror game in 2017. Grounded performances and a twisted narrative, make this one to study.
15. In the podcast realm, may we recommend Strange and Unexplained from Tony Award-winning actor and celebrated writer Daisy Eagan. This weirdly wonderful series will take you on a fascinating journey into the unknown.
16. On a non-spooky note, get inspired by the poignant documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, on Hulu on October 17th.
17. If you haven’t already, revel in Kerry Washington’s truth by reading her raw new memoir Thicker than Water.

Wellness Activities:

18. Monthly wellness tip: As the days grow shorter in autumn, it’s a good time to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D.
19. October affirmation: Like falling leaves, I accept change and will go where the wind takes me.
20. Go for a walk down the street and observe the people around you.
21. Bring the tranquility of fall into your space by lighting a cozy Keystone candle. Stop what you’re doing and just watch the candle’s flame flicker for a while.
22. With the industry at a standstill, use the downtime to take stock of all the wonderful things you’ve accomplished as an actor. Make an “Actor’s Gratitude List” and write out all the artistic experiences that have given you joy.
23. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Learn how you can prevent bullying and promote kindness at kindness.org.
24. October is also National Book Month, so consider this your reminder to read. Reading before bed can reduce stress and drop your body into a more relaxed state.

Live/ Virtual Events:

25. Sink your teeth into Off-Broadway’s bloody good time – Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. A hysterical cast of five players tackle multiple roles each in this podcast-turned-play that infuses new blood into the vampire universe.
26. Sondheim’s newest revival Merrily We Roll Along rolls out the red carpet on Broadway this month. Marvel at Danielle Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez as they lead a powerhouse ensemble in this heartfelt production.
27. Broadway gets the Barry Manilow treatment in his highly-anticipated new musical Harmony. The true story centers on the Comedian Harmonists, an ensemble of six young men who took 1920s Germany by storm until their inclusion of Jewish singers put them on a collision course with history.
28. Sistahs! Broadway’s spookiest night returns with the I Put A Spell On You: The Witches Era extravaganza on Monday, October 23 in NYC. This spell-binding fundraiser features ghoulishly good performances from Broadway stars and more.
29. World-class event AFI Fest hits Los Angeles on October 25 to showcase a robust slate of innovative films.
30. Take yourself on a date to a museum this month. Actors love the Museum of Broadway in NYC and the Academy Museum in L.A., but anything arts-related is sure to inspire you.
31. Happy Halloween, friends! We know that you play dress up for work, so no pressure to don a costume. Enjoy lots of treats!

There are plenty of strike-compliant roles available on Casting Networks. Sign up or login and see what’s casting near you today!

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The post October 2023: 31 Activities for Every Day This Month first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post October 2023: 31 Activities for Every Day This Month appeared first on Casting Networks.