Watch Casting Director Twinkie Byrd describe her entry to the businessSeptember 12, 2012
In The Wink Of An Eye‘s casting directors Wendy Mckenzie and Twinkie Byrd recently held a seminar in New York City to a packed room of aspiring actors who are looking for ways to impress on auditions and meetings. While the seminar was not an acting class, Byrd gave out plenty of noteworthy do’s and don’ts to lots of hopefuls in the audience.
Having been in the business of putting the right talent in films, Twinkie Byrd has had amazing run these last few years. The New York, NY native recent put together the cast for Sparkle (Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter, Carmen Ejogo) as well as other films such as ‘Stomp The Yard,’ (Columbus Short, Chris Brown, Laz Alonso, Ne-Yo), ‘Notorious‘ (Naturi Naughton, Antonique Smith, Young and the Restless’ Julia Pace Mitchell), ‘Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming‘ (Tika Sumpter, Terrence J), 2011’s ‘Jumping the Broom,’ and this year’s ‘Woman Thou Art Loosed: On The Seventh Day (Blair Underwood, Sharon Leal, Nicole Beharie),’ ‘A Beautiful Soul,’ and the upcoming ‘Filly Brown.’
Under the tutelage of her mentors, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Anissa Williams and Tracey Moore, Wendy McKenzie has been on the casting teams that put together films such as ‘New Jersey Drive,’ ‘Notorious,’ ‘Secret Life of Bees,’ and ‘The Blindside.’ She also serves as an assistant coach and motivational speaker.
Some of the points that Bryd and Mckenzie covered ranged on dropping off your headshot to casting directors, being prepared for meetings, and how to be specific when talking about your talent.
Here’s ‘Twinkie’ Byrd sharing some insights on the do’s and don’ts of getting auditions while describing her entry to the business.
