Past workshop — this workshop took place on September 18–19, 2026. See upcoming workshops

Intensive workshop · 2 days · Geneva

YOU OWN ITMastering the casting room

For the launch of Arthouse Acting Studio, we had the honour of welcoming a leading figure of international casting: Nicolas Derouet. Two days to discover the other side of casting — and make it your moment rather than endure it.

18 – 19 September 2026 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Fonction:Cinéma — Maison des Arts du Grütli, Geneva
See upcoming workshops See the programme
Nicolas Derouet, casting director, black-and-white portrait holding a tarot card.
Nicolas Derouet — casting director · former talent agent (Artmedia)

15 years of international casting, on both sides of the table

A casting director and former talent agent, Nicolas Derouet combines the agent's eye, guiding actors over the long run, with the casting director's eye, choosing them in audition. He has just finished casting Orage for France Télévisions, Jackie Chan's Amour of God and Dear You season 2 — and revealed what we ordinarily never get to see.

  • Emily in ParisNetflix
  • Marie-AntoinetteCanal+
  • Da 5 BloodsSpike Lee
  • ÉtoilePrime Video
  • OrageFrance Télévisions
  • ArtmediaTalent agency

Two ways to experience the workshop

10 selected participants

Work scenes in depth with Nicolas, audition-style: first take, casting director's notes, new takes — up to a finished version.

30 observers

Learn the secrets of casting to build a winning strategy for your career — without stepping in front of the camera.

2 intensive days

Discover the other side of casting: camera exercises, professional-standard self-tapes, screenings and individual feedback.

The programme

Two days to make casting your moment

Day 1 · September 18

Acting and casting technique

Identify what casting directors look for, evolve your acting choices from the notes you receive, shoot a professional-standard self-tape — and demystify the audition: make it your moment (you own it).

  • Welcome and round table: backgrounds, expectations, goals
  • Today's realities of the acting profession and deconstructing casting myths
  • Practical exercises: presence, active listening, emotional precision
  • Decoding casting directors' criteria, in France and internationally
  • Work on pre-assigned scenes, audition-style
  • Camera exercises: silent acting, improv, role reversal, double take, direct address
  • Self-tape workshop: best practices and eliminatory mistakes
  • Screening of filmed scenes, cross feedback and individual growth points

Scenes sent in advance · a mix of input, filmed exercises and group analysis.

Day 2 · September 19

Going deeper: casting in practice

Consolidate Day 1 under real conditions: anchor audition reflexes, refine your choices and progress on camera.

  • Day 1 debrief and individual growth points
  • New scenes worked audition-style, with higher stakes
  • Advanced camera exercises, chosen from the needs revealed the day before
  • Independent self-tape, applying Day 1 learnings
  • Day 1 / Day 2 comparative screening: measure progress, correct habits

Intensive filmed practice · group analysis · D1/D2 performance comparison.

See upcoming workshops

Further reading

  • Michael Shurtleff, Audition — the historic reference on the craft
  • Joanna Merlin, Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide
  • Michael Caine, Acting in Film — the economy of screen acting
  • Patrick Tucker, Secrets of Screen Acting
  • Tom Donahue, Casting By (documentary, 2012)