Weekly Reporter: Joan Stephens

A one-time agency owner and casting director, Joan Stephens spent years auditioning new talent and deciding whom to cast. Now on the flip side of the audition process, Stephens develops aspiring actors and challenges them to perform their best. Her talent has been seen on and off-Broadway, in commercials, major motion pictures and soap operas. Her insight on talent in the entertainment industry is highly sought after.

What can you tell us about your early beginnings in the industry?
I was known as an “agency owner-turned-talent manager,” so I’ve been around the business for some time. I’ve prepared talent for major films, commercials, etc. and have been fortunate enough to develop some talent that have won the “Actor, Actress or Model of the Year” awards for Nijah/New Faces Development in the past.

What are the benefits of receiving development with Nijah/New Faces Development?

When you begin receiving any of the services with Nijah/New Faces Development, it's a relationship. They take you on because they see your potential as a great talent, and they understand that talent has to be nurtured. Once you’ve committed to working in this industry, it's a long journey, but the experience and knowledge gained make it all worth it.

Why are development centers necessary and what do your services offer to those who want to become actors?

I can read my talent. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and can spot what they need to work on. It can vary. I can work on a one-on-one basis, I might play a casting agent or director one day or I can give them a 'boot camp' situation where we work intensely for several days to shape them up. I am known for holding mock auditions, showing exactly what you’re going to face. I have worked with a lot of agents and managers, so I know what they're looking for. Whether I work on their reading, their personality or the whole concept of acting, we can improve it. Anyone can criticize, but not everyone knows how to make it better.

We are in a very competitive business and a lot of people think that they can just walk in and do this, but they don’t know specifically what an agent is looking for. Acting is a real profession, so the process requires your full attention. It’s the same thing with auditioning. My job is to get an actor ready so that when they go into an audition, they are at the best. Many people think they can just channel their passion and get an agent, but you can’t. All of the talent have to bring the attitude of “This is the only thing I want to do,” and those are the people I want to take to auditions.

How much time does it take for a person to become ready to enter the acting world?
How do you know whether you're ready, unless you’ve gotten good advice? It depends on how badly you want to make it, but you have to work hard. It requires different amounts of time, depending on the person. To some people, the skills come very naturally and for others, it doesn’t come as naturally, but they have a desire for it. Both of those cases require development, but in a different way.

It’s show business, but it is two words: show and business. You have to know what to do to get through that first booking or to find an agent or a manager that will be interested in you. If you don’t know where to go or what to do, or if you show up and do all the wrong things, there’s no going back. That's why development centers are so crucial, because they provide the talent with an opportunity to get to the level they need to be.

How essential is big events, like the IMTA? How massive is the exposure?
I have always said that IMTA is the “Olympics of modeling and acting.” It's in New York, a busy city as far as show business is concerned. You have to be prepared. There are agents, managers and casting directors from all over the world attending the event. They are there because they need talent, and the talent needs them. That’s why it’s so exciting.

So how does the talent preparation and development factor into any competition?

It’s the first step.

What is your advice for people who want to get started but don't know how?
The preparation and promotion has to happen before you try to go out and make it. You have to have the perfect pictures, a superb resume, etc. All of that only comes when you have the right people to advise you, and you need to do your homework before you can get the proper guidance

Can you share some success stories?

I was one of the first people to work with Ashton Kutcher. He was great when we began, because he had a great personality and was very free, which doesn’t always happen. When I work with someone, after a couple of meetings, I can tell who is going to do require more development. I knew that he had that spark to make it.

Josh Duhamel, the same thing. He was very laid back, but he took it seriously enough to succeed. Look at him now. Dwight Braswell was handpicked by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg for HBO's series The Pacific, which is now nominated for an Emmy. Joshua King has an amazing, vibrant personality and was on All My Children. He's also done an off-Broadway show.

I have a lot of wonderful stories about the kids who used development to achieve their goals in this industry.