We’ve heard many stories of actors becoming casting directors after that phase of their lives, but never have we known someone getting into casting while they’re still acting. Or, for that matter, getting into casting because they were working as an actor. That’s Jayson Therrien for you.
The Calgary native found himself using his casting skills because the productions that hired him to perform needed his help filling out the cast. Soon, he was doing more behind the camera than in front of it, and his life changed.
Now, he’s branching out into directing as well, with two short films — Suzy Makes Cupcakes and Operation: Clean Slate, both of which are great fun — and an eye on making his feature directorial debut. He spoke to us from his home office.
Insights: Lessons from Jayson Therrien
- Consider roles in casting or directing for additional creative outlets and industry networking.
- Make a strong impression with a professional slate in auditions.
- Treat casting directors as allies and communicate openly for the best audition outcome.
How did you get into casting in the first place?
I started as an actor back in 2002 and then got into producing. I just started doing my own casting for stuff that I was producing, then started helping buddies out in stuff that I’d gotten cast in. I would introduce directors to other actors, hold sessions and invite all my friends who were in my acting classes to be part of the project that I was going to be acting in.
Then I found a huge passion for it, while also discovering there was a huge need for it in Calgary. We have very limited casting directors here, and they were always turning down business. People from out of town were coming in and casting but didn’t know the talent pool. Soon, people were hiring me to look at their script and asking who to approach about certain parts and to help with sales and distribution and stuff like that.
So you got into it because you were acting?
Yeah, and in 2020, I decided to start directing, too. I made two shorts and love directing, but I love casting, too. Occasionally, I’ll do some acting stuff. People still offer me some roles and call me up and say, “Hey, listen, I got this thing,” and I audition occasionally.
That’s how I got into it. There was a need for it; people thought I’d be good at it. I started doing it and realized that I loved it.
What was it about casting that drew you to it?
I don’t think people understand that it is an art.
The director wants the best possible actor, or maybe they want somebody that they’ve worked with before. The script calls for what it’s looking for, the producers want a certain person, the executive producer wants a certain person and not everyone’s going to get who they want. You really gotta find the person that fits that mold, that you can try to sell everybody on, and then they obviously have to do the job.
And then there’s the actors themselves.
What I love about it is I love actors. It’s probably why I became one.
I was closing out a movie for Shudder, and a producer called me from a CW show that I was casting as well at the same time, and he said, “What are you doing today?” I said, “Bro, it’s the best day. I’m making dreams come true. I’m sending out offers.”
I know how hard it is for actors, all the work they do, all the classes they take, all the auditions and they get nothing from it at the end of the day. So booking is huge, right? A lot of these guys are my friends. I love it. I love actors. I love watching good tapes. I love seeing creative ideas. I love seeing the subtleties and nuances and great choices that maybe aren’t what you thought really work, and just make them make that performance or that audition a little bit better than the other one.
Do you find that the work you do as a casting director has helped you as an actor?
No. I’m surprised because I don’t book as much now. You’d think it would, but I don’t think it’s made me any better. I do what I do, and I’m good at certain things that I do, but it hasn’t changed me to the point that I feel that I’m a better actor.
Do you find you’re more of an actor who casts? Or a casting director who acts?
I just recently came to this conclusion myself, where I would say I am now a casting director who acts. The thing is, I do more casting than acting, and I’ve had to turn down auditions because I was just too busy casting to do the audition.
Was that a difficult decision?
I’m not too upset about it, to be honest with you. (Laughs) The odds are I’m probably not going to get this. I think they say that if you can book five percent of what you audition for — so one in 20 auditions, if you can book that — that’s good.
I like working. I like being busy. I’m dealing with the fact that the acting dream is done, and [I’ve] moved it into casting.
I would imagine that must have made it easier in your head, knowing that you were still doing something creative.
I think that’s what it is. I feel I have more creative input as a casting director, and definitely as a director. I think that’s when I started wanting to direct, to be honest with you. I’d break down the script and I’d look at the scenes, and then I would see a director make the wrong choice, in my opinion. Then I also produced, and first AD’d a couple of times, so I had that understanding of how the big picture works.
I honestly just love collaborating. I’m very comfortable now, in a way that I wasn’t a year ago, giving up the acting. I’m about 95% there. If I book something and get back into it, I might change my mind, but that’s how I feel right now.
Do you find that there are common mistakes that actors make when they’re auditioning?
Not experienced actors. By now, everyone knows what they’re doing when they’re auditioning. Younger actors will make some mistakes. There are things that you can do that can make a better audition.
Slating is more important than you think it is. One guy, I acted with him very young, then he left Calgary, went to Toronto, and booked a pretty big Canadian show that got picked up by AMC. I hadn’t seen him in a while and didn’t think he’d remember me, because he had just gotten so big at the time. But he auditioned for me, and in his slate, he was like, “Hi, Jayson. Don’t know if you remember me.” It’s a big deal, and I think some actors just throw that away.
With that in mind, what piece of advice or wisdom would you give to actors coming in to audition for you?
Be comfortable. I’m on your team. I want you to book. I want to see your best performance. If you need something from me, let me know. If you mess up, don’t worry about it. I want the best performance out of you, and if I need to do something to help you, I will.
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