Conversations with Atlanta's Movers and Shakers, Casting Director Brandon McCray
A few weeks ago, Atlanta Film and TV’s Mandisa Johnson, sat down with Birmingham-based Casting Director, Producer, and Writer, Brandon McCray.
McCray has been involved in the entertainment industry since 1999 and says his biggest joys is helping people live out their dreams.
“When I get a breakdown sent to me, I’ll look at it and study it then start thinking in my mind, ‘who fits this?’ If I can’t think of anybody then I take the same route as anyone else and will go to Actor’s Access. Or, I will send out a mass email to actors in my network from across the country telling them what I am casting for and how to submit. “
Brandon McCray
Atlanta Film and TV: Take us on your journey of how you started to where you are today.
Brandon McCray: I graduated from high school and had no idea what I wanted to do. I watched a lot of stand up comedy, especially Richard Pryor live in concert. That’s when I thought, ‘you know, I was pretty funny in school! Let me try stand up comedy!’ and for two years, I did stand up and later I wanted to learn behind the scenes. Eventually, I went to school for broadcasting and production and later got a theater degree.
One day while pursuing my theater degree, one of my professors came to me and said, ‘hey. I got an email from a local production crew working on a documentary, and they need some talent.’ He then let me know it was non-paid but I would get on-camera experience and learn what they do on set. I eventually took it and started meeting everybody on the crew side in Birmingham, and my career pretty much took off from there!
Later I worked on and was cast in my first documentary. While filming, I started watching and began helping. I also worked on a few commercials and films and then transitioned to behind the scenes.
Atlanta Film and TV: Growing up, did your parents recognize your love of the arts, and if so how did they nourish your gift to facilitate growth?
Brandon McCray: My parents didn’t necessarily recognize my love of the arts. But, when you’re growing up and going to church at least twice a week you get involved with the youth choir, along with singing and go around to different churches performing A & B selections. To me, growing up in a baptist church is all theater. The shouting, running around the church - the performance of the baptist church, which to me was like seeing live art without me realizing it.
Once I got to college and started studying theater, one of my professors asked, ‘ why is this theater so different from black theater?’ I said, ‘you know something? We had church!’ That was a simple answer for me and when you start looking at black playwrights, I realized that everything had a gospel tone to it where there was always gospel singing, and presenting some kind of message.
Atlanta Film and TV: What was the moment when you realized, This is what I’m supposed to be doing?
Brandon McCray: It wasn’t until my late 20’s when I realized that working in film and tv was what I was supposed to be doing. I worked on a credit union commercial and I saw the full extent of a commercial production. I met a bunch of people on set, and I thought to myself, all these people have been in Birmingham and I didn’t even know it. The following week I began getting texts and emails to work other jobs and when I realized that it was about networking and connections.
So, to your audience I would say, there’s nothing wrong with being a late bloomer. You can go through ten years of struggling, but your time comes right on time!
Atlanta Film and TV: What was your first real opportunity in entertainment, and what did that experience teach you?
Brandon McCray: My first real opportunity happened while I was doing stand up comedy and I met Play of Kid and Play. He was one of the coolest guys I ever met. At the time, he was in Birmingham, doing adjunct professor work at Miles College, and he had been called to direct a film. I was able to speak with him while on set.
Atlanta Film and TV: What was your first real opportunity in entertainment, and what did that experience teach you?
Brandon McCray: My first real opportunity happened while I was doing stand up comedy and I met Play of Kid and Play. He was one of the coolest guys I ever met. At the time, he was in Birmingham, doing adjunct professor work at Miles College, and he had been called to direct a film. I was able to speak with him while on set.
That experience taught me that I wasn't the only one that had real desires to work in film. I met other actors who traveled around the country to work acting jobs. I also learned how scripted everything was, from filming the crowd reactions, how movements were so precise with getting scenes shots, and the number of people it took to make it happen.
Atlanta Film and TV: What has been the biggest turning point in your career so far?
Brandon McCray: A turning point in my career was when I got a call to cast a NFL commercial, who at the time was looking for dancers, and on-camera talent. The commercial would later be shot in historic Selma, Alabama. I later went to Alabama State University, and cast four girls who were in the theatre dance department.
Atlanta Film and TV: What is something about working in entertainment that surprised you once you got into the industry?
Brandon McCray: One thing that surprised me was how far networking actually takes you. If you have the network but no talent, it makes the journey a lot longer. Being able to network along with becoming friends with people in the industry is probably one of the biggest surprises. Growing up I always heard, it's not about what you know, it's who you know.
Another thing that surprised me was how expensive equipment is. Especially when I worked with DPs. With the way technology is today it's a lot easier, but years ago a real question asked was ‘do I need to buy a new car, or a new Sony camera?’ because they both cost about the same!
Atlanta Film and TV: Do you have any advice for a graduating high school student looking to pursue a career in entertainment?
Brandon McCray: The more you do something, the better you get. When you decide to get into the entertainment business, no matter if it’s acting, being a camera operator, or writer, throw your whole self into it. Let it be you, because it takes a lot of work to get to a higher level. Get into the industry, have fun, enjoy it and don’t give up!
I was a late bloomer, and some of you going off to college may take you two to three years to bloom, which is okay. Learn everything there is to learn about the business of entertainment, constantly practice, and if it's for you it will definitely happen!
Atlanta Film and TV: Do you have any G.E.M.S. (G.E.M.S. stands for Great Educational Moments with Movers and Shakers that you would like to share?
Brandon McCray: Having a good attitude will be your best friend, and it will take you far. Be the person that others want to be around, come to for advice and aspire to be like.
Brandon desires to see people enter the entertainment business, perform at the highest level and to the best of your ability. Learn the business, and apply it. Let’s dictate the positive messages we want to put out there for people to see.
You can connect with Brandon on Facebook and Instagram at All The Way Entertainment. You can also personally connect with him on Instagram @bmmikal and via email at Brandon@allthewayent.com
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