On our April 17, 2020, NYWIFT Talks, we joined Casting Director and NYWIFT Board of Directors Vice President Destiny Lilly for a virtual Zoom conversation. Destiny updated us on how the casting world in NYC keeps moving even while film, television, and theatre productions are on hold due to the current health crisis. We talked shooting delays, the impact on Broadway, online auditions, self-tape 101 for actors, why producers should always hire a casting director, and more.
Casting affects more than just actors – all film and TV professionals are encouraged to bring their questions to to this insightful conversation. And anyone can benefit from self-tape 101; nowadays, working from home, we are all appearing on camera!
This discussion was moderated by NYWIFT Community Engagement Director Katie Chambers.
Panelists:
Destiny Lilly is a casting director who works on major projects across theatre, film and television. She serves on the NYWIFT Board of Directors as VP of Membership.
Katie Chambers is the Community Engagement Director at NYWIFT, where she manages both Communications and Membership. Katie guides and manages NYWIFT’s presence both online and off; institutes membership drives; programs monthly screenings and networking parties; builds partnerships with like-minded organizations; co-produces the Muse Awards and Designing Women; and implements strategic communications initiatives for special projects. She will receive national recognition for her work at NYWIFT when she is named one of Association Trends’ top “Young and Aspiring Executives” at their Salute to Excellence in Washington, DC, and regional recognition from the New York Society of Association Executives when she receives their “Rising Star” award at the Synergy Awards, both in Summer 2020. Prior to joining the NYWIFT team, Katie was a talent agent in the Youth & Young Adult Theatrical division at Abrams Artists Agency in New York City, representing young actors in theatre, film, and television. She was previously a junior agent and assistant to the head of the Youth & Talent Development division at Buchwald, where she also ran the company’s internship program. She has served on the Next Generation Committee of the NY Television Festival, produced a critically acclaimed play at the NY Fringe Festival, and interned for Manhattan Theatre Club and Hollywood producer Scott Rudin. Her writing has appeared in Huff Post, Honeysuckle Magazine and several printed essay collections. Katie graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Drew University with a double major in English and Theatre Arts.
NYWIFT Talks is a new weekly series to bring updated news and vital information about the impact of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry. Industry professionals will be in conversation discussing what you need to know about theatrical releases, digital advances, virtual tools, festival opportunities, production updates and more.
