We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Bream. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.

Erica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

This story is not so much about the best boss I *ever* had, but the first boss to be a truly great mentor for me.

I was 19 years old, working as an intern for a well-known Casting Director named Mali Finn. She had a HUGE roster of interns working for her, which was comprised entirely of actors who liked to volunteer their time to help / be present in a Casting office… and me.

Mali took time to have a one-on-one lunch meeting with all of her interns as a way of saying “thank you” (and as payment. Those were different times.) When we sat down for our private conversation, she said, “so, you wanna be an actor?” And I replied, “No. I want to be a Casting Director.” Upon hearing that response, her whole face changed and she immediately began rattling off advice, things I should do as a film student, books I should read, etc.

Little did she know that I had already taken so much of how she worked to heart. To this day, I still employ some of the habits I learned from her. She was the first person to offer me real guidance. The first person to allow me to ask questions about her process.

She was the first best boss I ever had in this industry.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started on my path towards Casting when I was 18 years old. Two days after graduating high school, I was interning in a large New York talent agency. From there, I went to LA for film school (USC) and many, MANY internships and classes later, I started on my path as a Casting professional and haven’t looked back.

I’ve been a working Casting Director (Television, Features, Theatre) for almost 23 years. Over the years, I’ve also cultivated a deep love of teaching. My classes are focused on audition technique and business-related content. My aim, always, is to provide transparency and to foster trust. Because I know that when actors feel safe and supported, they do their best work.

I’m also deeply proud of the success I’ve helped clients find through my career consultations. Sometimes actors just need an outlet, a little guidance, or occasionally an overhaul, and these consultations provide the space for that kind of growth.

Nothing makes me prouder than hearing a student or a client say that a piece of advice or a technique that I offered helped them get over a major hurdle. Similarly, my heart is full when a director emails me to say how fabulous our cast is doing on set.

I love Casting. And I truly adore working with actors.

Which is why I often say:

Casting Loves You.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I wish I could boil my social media following down to a specific formula, but my growth happened without my realizing.

The takeaway for me is that audiences appreciate authenticity, and they don’t mind some free stuff!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I grew up in a family that valued work. No one in my family retired. My grandparents all worked until they were effectively kicked out of their respective jobs in their late 80s or early 90s. My parents continue to enjoy working while many of their friends are now retired.

I thought I would work until I dropped. I didn’t mind the idea of it, actually. I love my job, so why not do it until I physically or cognitively cannot?

But then I met my husband. And we started dreaming together. And traveling. And then having kids. And I’ve learned that I can love my job, AND appreciate and enjoy rest.

It’s not always easy for me to be still. I’m not really sure what I would do in retirement. But I’m positive that I will enjoy my career journey now, and at some point, step aside for the next generation of creatives to take over.

Contact Info:

• Website: ericasbreamcasting.com
• Instagram: @ericasbreamcast
• Twitter: @ericasbreamcast