Success Story: Fabienne Grisel on Booking an Ed Sheeran Music Video

Fabienne Grisel, a professional musician, actress and print model, talked with us via Zoom about booking the first job she ever signed up for on Casting Networks—a music video with Ed Sheeran. Using her special skills as a motorcyclist, she can be seen in the video as the only female rider and is using her success with Casting Networks to continue to ride to the top of Hollywood’s commercial scene.

How did you hear about Casting Networks?

My best friend is an actress, and I’m a musician by trade. I ride motorcycles, and I did some acting and modeling when I was younger, and I was telling her I wanted to get back into doing it. She was with Casting Networks and notified me that they were looking for a woman who could ride motorcycles. But then I realized I didn’t have a membership, so I joined, and the first thing I applied for was that job. I responded to the notice, and I booked it.

So, the first time’s a charm.

Yes! I didn’t know at the time who it was for, and it turned out to be a music video for Ed Sheeran.

That’s so cool. What was the process like?

We shot during COVID, so I had to get tested, and then once I got cleared for that, I went in for the fitting, and that’s when the director told me who it was for. I had no idea. And for some reason, when I showed up to the fitting, no one expected a girl.

How was your experience on set?

I’ve been on set many times before, but it was fun. I was the only woman, right? We had like four or five riders on that particular shoot and part of the video, and we had a blast. It was a wonderful day. It was really hot being shot up in Santa Clarita, and it was 102 degrees out, we were on the bike and I had a wonderful time. I can’t say enough about that day. I had a blast.

Is there any advice you give to people who are signing up for Casting Networks?

I didn’t think I was going to book it that fast, and I just joined because I thought, OK, maybe this is a good way for me because I don’t have an agent. So I have to say just try, and if you take what you’re doing seriously and want to have a career, I think you have nothing to lose. It worked for me, so I’m sure it could work for anybody else. You just have to give it a chance.

Do you have any other thoughts for someone new to the platform?

Pictures are important. The one that I seem to be booking the most stuff with is the one with the nice, friendly, approachable, commercial smile. I have other pictures on it that are a little more theatrical-looking; I don’t get as much from that. I would say get yourself a couple of good shots. I don’t think you need many pictures at the beginning. The more professional, the better. I mean, selfies are cool, but if they’re asking for a selfie, then you will know. Otherwise, I would invest in a nice professional headshot.

What are you up to next in your career?

I hope to get some representation again because it’s been a minute. I have one for voice-over, but I don’t have anything for commercial or theatrical, and I would love to get back into something like that. I would like just to keep going. I haven’t done much the last few months because I had some health issues that I had to attend to, so I wasn’t able to go out there as much or even submit myself as much because I needed to deal with them, but it’s getting better, so I think I’m ready to go back out. I just want to have some fun and enjoy whatever comes my way.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and compliance with SAG-AFTRA strike rules.

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