Commercial Casting Director


 Chris Devane

"Working as a professional actor may not be the career you think it is. 90% of beginning actors quit acting in their first two years because of two common misconceptions. First having unrealistic goals, and second a lack of Show Business Knowledge". 


Chris Devane is a seasoned Los Angeles-based Commercial Casting Director with a remarkable career spanning many years and a diverse range of experiences. He began his career behind the camera at Danny Goldman and Associates, contributing to over 5,000 professional commercials like Jack-in-the-box, Microsoft, Intel, Walmart, Mc Donalds, just to name a few as and numerous theatrical projects. 

 

Notably, Chris Devane has auditioned an astonishing number of actors, exceeding one million auditions over the course of his career. His expertise extends to working extensively with A-List to No-List actors for decades, sometimes thousands per day! "Casting directors expect a certain amount of professionalism at every casting, and professionalism has nothing to do with how good an actor you may be."

 

After retiring from casting, Chris was invited by multiple prestigious film and art schools to impart his wealth of knowledge to the next generation of filmmakers and performers. He established a guest speaker series that connected industry luminaries with students, enriching their understanding of the industry.

 

Chris Devane's unique perspective, combining his practical experience as a casting director with his passion for education, has made him a valuable resource for both aspiring actors and their families. His mission is to actors with the information they need to navigate the entertainment industry effectively, aiding in their success in a competitive field that demands expertise across multiple domains—from acting and self-taping to production, negotiation, and promotion.

Quotes from a review of Chris Devane's Master Class

An actors biggest mistake?



"A beginning actor's biggest mistake is not being able to read the room when auditioning, and that is not the time to be shy! Being a professional actor is not a high school play where everyone loves you. There is money on the line!"

What do casting directors really want?



"Beyond your ability to deliver believable dialogue, we need to see the person you really you are. Not some manufactured personality you have created. The hardest thing for an to accomplish is being the person you really are.......but on demand!"

"I don't believe in sugar-coating anything!



"Casting directors work 14 hour days and do not have time coddle anyone. We are not here to have a good time, we are here to work! We expect the exact same professionalism from actors. Be nice, but be professional which means know the job of an actor, not just the skill-set of acting. If you do not know what to do then learn it! It's not personal it's business"

University Guest Interviews

John Carpenter

Director

Escape From New York

They Live

The Thing

Halloween


Joe Mantegna

Actor

Criminal Minds

The Godfather III

Baby's Day Out

Searching For Bobby Fisher

Jan de Bont

Director

Twister

Hunt For Red October

Speed

Roar


Dolph Lundgren

Actor

Rocky 4

The Expendables

Showdown In Little Tokyo

Maters Of The Universe

Martin Kove

Actor

The Karate Kid

Cobra Kai

Cagney & Lacey

Andy Garcia

Actor

The Untouchables

Godfather III

Oceans 11,12,13



Henry Winkler

Actor

Happy Days

Barry

Royal Pains

Night Shift


Ernie Hudson

Actor

The Crow

Ghostbusters 1, 2

OZ

The Basketball Diaries 

Colin Mochrie

Actor

Who's Line Is It Anyway?

Kids In The Hall

Almost Heros

Enroll Now

Is this you?


Actors who started their career today!

1500

Or is this you?


Actors who quit today!

1350

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