Brad Blaisdell (the Negotiator, Criminal Minds) stars in local feature film production in Arizona

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 19, 2010 --

“Suspicion,” a contemporary mob thriller, starring Brad Blaisdell (The Negotiator, Criminal Minds) is currently in preproduction in Phoenix, AZ. Blaisdell, plays as Darrell Jacobs, who is a retired member of the mob that unknowingly puts a college student, Alicia Foret’s life in jeopardy when they begin meeting in public. Set to shoot in April 2010, “Suspicion” is helmed by director David Dilley and is produced by Alex McCullough. McCullough, an Arizona native is joined by local casting director, Helen McCready CSA, and local Unit Production Manager Tammy McDaniel. “Suspicion” is slated for release in January 2011.

ABOUT HELEN McCREADY, CSA

After working for years in the entertainment business, Helen McCready and her success have led her to be an independent casting director. McCready started as a wrangler and actress on 21 Jump Street, then "dug my heels into it in 2000 working as an assistant..." and in 2004, branched out as an independent casting director. She has much valuable advice for new actors and filmmakers to impart and has an upcoming casting director workshop in Phoenix with Peter Pappas in March.

Helen notes, "there is no such thing as a 'casting agency.' It's a made-up slang. You have casting directors and extra casting services...that's it." The Casting Society of America website notes, "Casting Directors are Studio or Production Company employees and their job is to find and hire talent -- in a sense, human resource departments for actors..." A talent agent is one who finds work for talent (ie: actors, authors, musicians, models, athletes, etc.). While casting directors may use talent agents, actors do not hire casting directors.

McCready has the following guidelines for beginning filmmakers who may not be familiar with the duties of a casting director: "They [filmmaker] provide us with a breakdown and we find the talent they want," noting filmmakers, "...can also ask us to do the breakdown and we let them know how many extras, roles, etc. are in the film..." Since the producer or director has the final say on who actually gets cast, "...It's never the casting director's decision." Helen comments, "...the casting director will file all of the proper paperwork for SAG or AFTRA when needed. That's the basics."

From her Helen Wheels Productions, LLC website, Helen has advice for actors, "To be a successful actor you really have to have a passion for the craft and the patience to wait for the big break. Although being an actor is extremely rewarding, finding work can be a challenge. The profession requires great commitment and fortitude." The site also has her 10-step Tips On How To Become A Successful Actor, an informative and insightful read for actors.

actors     Arizona     Brad Blaisdell     criminal minds     feature film     Helen McCready     The Negotiator