Inside Daytime Soap Operas with General Hospital Casting Director Mark Teschner

Episode 25 : Media Mayhem

Episode Synopsis

Seasoned Daytime Casting Director, Mark Teschner joins the show to provide insight on the inner workings of the Soap universe.
From the changing face and perception of daytime tv, to tips for actors trying to get in the door and stay in the room, and even the current elections, Mark has a keen eye for cutting to the substance of the issue. And of course, there is plenty on General Hospital.

Guest Bio

Mark Teschner is a casting director who, since 1989 has worked on ABC’s General Hospital and it’s spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift. Mark is a four time Emmy Winner for Outstanding Achievement in Casting and has been nominated five additional times. He is also a six time recipient of the Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Drama Casting and has been nominated many additional times. Mark has served as VP of the Casting Society of America and previously served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In addition to his television casting, Mark has cast feature films and Broadway shows. He has also lent his expertise to such shows as I Wanna Be a Soap Star and Fight for Fame.

Episode Breakdown

00:01 Introduction to Media Mayhem.
00:33 Welcoming Mark Teschner.
05:52 “What do you think the future is for daytime tv?”
08:31 The evolution of soap operas over the years.
11:59 The pacing of soaps; stories in ‘real time.’
13:53 Re-casting actors for the same role.
19:32 Exploring serious issues in soap operas that are neglected on prime time.
24:00 “Has anybody ever objected to acting in these kinds of story lines?”
26:25 “Why do you think it took so long for soaps to address the wars?”
29:09 “What kind of introduction to the business does working on a soap provide?”
33:38 James Franco and breaking the wall for daytime.
34:47 The changing faces of people on soap operas–plastic surgery.
43:34 Young people getting ‘work done.’
44:52 The presidential election; the cast and drama.
51:04 “Has the media changed the way politics is handled?”
58:28 The tele-novela format and how it did not work in the US.
1:01:14 The talk show take over.
1:02:37 Reality crossover to acting and ‘getting your foot in the door.’
1:04:25 “Is there a type for soap operas?”
1:07:22 Thanks to Mark and wrap.

Additional Links

http://www.markteschner.com/
http://www.insidetviactorsstudio.com/2011/06/casting-director-mark-teschner-of-general-hospital/

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Hosted By

Allison Hope Weiner

Allison Hope Weiner was a Century City entertainment litigator before she began writing about Hollywood as a journalist. A graduate of Columbia University and the University of Southern California Law Center, she joined the legendary firm of Wyman, Bautzer—where she represented entertainers and corporate media clients.