Kapil Talwalkar
Interviewed by: Lindsey Weissmueller, CSA
1) Has there been a Casting Director that has encouraged and/or supported you in your career?
Three come to mind! Robert Ulrich and Scott Genkinger who believed in me and helped me book my first two major pilots. It helped me get seen by so many others in the industry. And more recently Lindsey Weismueller, who has supported my comedic chops and has pushed me to go out for roles I otherwise might not be considered for.
2) What work are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my work on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on NBC. The show requires me to be at the top of my game as an actor, as I can be challenged with intense dramatic material but precision comedy in the same episode! Not to mention that it’s a musical and I have to sing and dance!!
3) What or who inspired you to pursue acting as a career?
My first acting teacher, Arcadia Conrad, who believed in me in high school. Also, my family has been incredibly supported of my work. A lot of Indian parents wouldn’t be cool with their kids going into the arts, but my parents, saw an opportunity and backed me!
4) What was your first IMDBPro credit and how did you feel when you saw it?
My first credit was an indie movie called Prep School where I played a high school kid being harassed for being Punjabi. It was tough, and I’m glad the writers took a risk to talk about that subject, but looking back I would have handled it differently and have been more vocal on getting the scene more accurate. I’ve since learned how to be more of my own advocate in those scenarios.
5) How has IMDBPro helped you market yourself to filmmakers?
IMDbPro has helped showcase some of my recent work on Zoey’s and bring it to the forefront. Just being listed as a series regular next to Mary Steenburgen, Lauren Graham, Peter Gallagher, and Skylar Astin has brought so many eyeballs to my work. I’m very grateful for the platform.
6) Any funny casting room stories?
During my audition for Zoey’s I was told to improvise during one of the reads and I dropped a couple f bombs. Robert Ulrich stopped the take and said “Loved the read. So funny. But umm...it’s a family show dude.”
7) Tell us a fun fact about you outside of acting:
I’m a musician/guitarist and am going to Clarksdale, MS for a two week immersion to learn how to play the Mississippi Delta Blues in a month!
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