Today we’d like to introduce you to Francene Selkirk.
Hi Francene , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?I’m originally from Astoria, Queens,New York. As a teenager I worked at the 1964 Worlds Fair in the New York Pavilion (Teen Carnival). I took ballet, tap and acting classes, and acted in plays in school.. I went to the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan, and to Pace College, all the while performing in off broadway shows and any acting parts I could get my hands on. I was also performing with the New York City Theatre Workshop , a company that trained young performers in dance, acting,,improv and singing. We performed all over New York and it was a thrilling experience,There were teachers from Julliard, to the avant garde.
I arrived in Los Angeles in 1977 to pursue an acting career . I was fortunate enough to get production assistant work on commercials while I was pursuing an acting career, Eventually I became a Producer in Commercials, had a family, and switched lanes to get into casting. I started my business Shooting from the hip casting in 1991 and never looked back. I had one of the most successful and busy offices in town, casting for some of the most well respected directors, advertising agencies, and production companies in Los Angeles and across the country. At some point I changed the name of my company to Francene Selkirk Casting and won Best Casting Director of the year twice ( The Heller Awards) from the Talent Managers Association in 2011 & 2012 and nominated 6 other times. While I was casting I was also teaching acting classes and coaching and guiding actors for ten years..I retired from casting in 2019 and moved to Santa Barbara just before covid. I returned to Los Angeles in 2023 . I decided to try acting again and landed a series regular part on a wonderful social media show called Retirement House of which I am still on. I”ve always wanted to give back the knowledge that I have about show business to actors since I’ve done so many jobs in it. I’ve done seminars at the Screen Actors Guild and many other places around Los Angeles to inform and share my knowledge.
What I am doing now is …I just started a new business..I am Coaching, Advising and helping to guide actors in their careers.I have a website called FranceneSelkirk.com I am ” The Industry Advisor for Actors”I look at their reels, their pictures, and help coach them to be able to control their careers.I look at headshots, work with dialogue, talk about representation, classes, give recommendations for photographers, stylists, line learners, who the casting directors are in commercials and theatrically and much more.They can ask me anything. I have so much to give.
I am thrilled to be where I am. I talk to agents, managers,Directors,Producers about where our business is at and where it’s going. I am hopeful and feeling like there’s plenty to do to either get your career started or give it a jump start.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?Nothing was handed to me on a plate. I’ve worked since I was 12 or earlier . I came from working class people who were good people and hard working.
When I started work in production from a production assistant until I was a producer, I found that I would have to be the first one on the set and the last one to leave…many years of 14-16 hours a day for a flat fee. I never complained because I wanted to always be in show business.. When I finally got to be a casting director, I knew that starting my own business wasn’t going to be easy but having a background in theatre and production really helped. I was always on time, and never gave anyone lip (talked back) because there was always someone waiting to take my job. I had a family when I was a casting director and I like so many, juggled being a business owner and tried to get to my kids games, plays and every school activity. I was exhausted but made it happen. I’m still around and grateful that I was able to do it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?Well I’m most proud of being a good mom..and a very successful casting director..30 years and thought well of. I cast a lot of comedy and it’s very natural for me. That’s who I am, a goof ball, quirky and find most things funny.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?My middle school/Jr. high school PS 141, drama teacher coached me on. His name was Mr. Cenerino from Jackson Heights, Queens. He helped me audition for the performing arts high school.
I had a director that I worked for as a producer, David Wild, and he gave me my first casting jobs. He believed in me. I am eternally grateful.
Contact Info:
Image Credits nice.headshots-Alyssa Kearney Saeid kaveh
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