Your Next Booking Could Depend on This Conversation with Casting Director LISA ZAMBETTI

This week on VersaVision, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the industry's top casting directors, Lisa Zambetti and I have to say, this became one of my favorite conversations we've had on the show. What struck me most about Lisa wasn't just her incredible résumé. It was her humanity. After spending decades as an actress, casting director, teacher, and mentor, she has a rare ability to see this business from every angle. We talked about her journey from Broadway and Off-Broadway to learning under the legendary casting director Billy Hopkins, and how those experiences shaped the way she champions actors today. One of the biggest takeaways for me was hearing Lisa explain that casting directors are often championing actors far more than actors realize. That perspective alone has the power to change the way you walk into your next audition or when you start putting together a tape for an audition you have been asked to do. We also went behind the scenes of Criminal Minds, where Lisa shares what it was really like creating an entirely new world of characters every eight days, why hearing "no" isn't the end of the story, and how one unforgettable audition can actually influence the direction of an entire television series. Another part of our conversation that stayed with me was hearing about the incredible work behind Reservation Dogs. Lisa shares the story of travelling across Oklahoma holding open casting calls, discovering Indigenous performers who had never acted before, and helping create opportunities that genuinely changed lives. It's a beautiful reminder that great casting isn't simply about experience: it's about authenticity, truth, and finding the right person to tell the story. And I loved that Lisa are on the same page with just about everything, and I actually love those moments because they create the best conversations.  One of the main issues we both agreed on:  there will never be a substitute for an honest, truthful human performance. If you're an actor, filmmaker, creative person, or simply someone who loves hearing how great stories are brought to life, I think you'll take something valuable away from this conversation. I'd love to hear what resonates with you most after you listen.  Send us an email to [email protected] If you would like to be a guest on the show, please contact us at: [email protected] WORD OF THE WEEK: UNBOTHERED LISA'S VIEWING RECOMMENDATIONS: Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Orphan Black INSTAGRAM: @LisaZambettiCasting A huge thanks to our team: Producer: Devyn Arnold and Intro by: Tamika Katon-Donegal ________________________________________ If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe to VersaVision and join us as we bring you shows with the industry's leading casting directors, agents, managers, actors, and filmmakers - sharing the real-world insights, experiences, and advice that can help take your career to the next level. Your support helps us continue creating these conversations and we thank you for your unwavering support..