Karina Frislev

Vancouver

Summary

Creative and detail-oriented casting director and producer with extensive experience in film, television, and music content. Skilled in identifying standout talent, balancing creative vision with market trends, and managing full casting processes from breakdowns to contracts. Known for strong collaboration with directors, writers, and production teams, and for leveraging audience and market research to make strategic casting decisions. Passionate about bringing diverse, dynamic talent to projects while ensuring a smooth, equitable casting process.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Creative Producer & In-House Casting Director

IndustryWorks Studios

01.2021 - 01.2023

Managed the full casting process for multiple projects, including posting casting calls, reviewing 150+ self-tapes per role, and selecting top talent aligned with creative and market needs.
Cast non-union talent, drafted contracts, and ensured fair treatment, compliance, and satisfaction of all production and talent requirements.
Collaborated with directors and writers to fulfill their creative vision while aligning with network and distribution trends, leveraging insights gained from attending film markets and sitting in on distribution sessions.
Informed casting decisions based on market research and current trends to maximize project appeal and sellability.
Built strong relationships with agents, acting studios, and schools, establishing a pipeline of emerging talent and maintaining a personal database of go-to actors for expedited casting.
Drew on personal acting experience and extensive audition observation to identify standout talent, ensuring casting choices were both strategic and creatively sound.
Conducted comprehensive market research to inform strategic direction of creative projects, ensuring relevance and impact.
Managed project budgets to maximize resources and achieve significant results without compromising quality.
Fostered long-term client relationships with attentive account management practices focused on understanding their unique needs and delivering tailored creative solutions.
Collaborated with network executives to define and propel organization's mission and vision.

In-House Casting Director

Hussle Records

01.2020 - 01.2023

Led casting for music videos and promotional content, connecting local non-union models and acting talent to artists to bring their creative visions to life.
Maintained strict adherence to budgetary requirements while achieving high-quality casting solutions that contributed to the artists’ increased visibility and popularity.
Collaborated closely with artists, directors, and production teams to ensure both creative and economic goals were met.
Oversaw the full casting process, including talent sourcing, auditions, negotiations, and final selections.
Circulated breakdown notices among talent agencies and independent agents to search for perfect cast.
Enhanced casting efficiency by streamlining audition processes and implementing digital tools for quicker decisionmaking.
Examined scripts to understand storyline and needed roles.
Witnessed all rounds of auditions to determine most qualified talent for roles.
Provided constructive feedback to actors during auditions, fostering an environment that encouraged growth and improvement in their craft.
Secured top talent for productions by building strong relationships with agents, managers, and acting coaches.
Managed expenditures to keep casting budget in check.
Liaised with publicists and press agents regarding actor announcements, contributing to the project''s overall publicity strategy.
Negotiated contracts with talent representatives, balancing budget constraints with securing desired actors for projects.
Nurtured a diverse talent pool by actively seeking actors from underrepresented backgrounds and supporting inclusive casting initiatives.
Maintained accurate records of all casting sessions using industry-standard software, ensuring easy reference when making final decisions.

Writers’ Room/ Showrunners Assistant

Van Helsing Tv Series

01.2017 - 01.2018

Drafted detailed cast breakdowns to align character requirements with the showrunner’s creative vision and network mandates.
Evaluated talent through live and taped auditions, providing thoughtful feedback and shortlist recommendations to inform casting decisions.
Conducted in-depth marketability research on potential cast members, including social media engagement, IMDb rankings, fan base analytics, and buyer interest to support strategic casting choices.
Tracked audience engagement and fan sentiment, running polls and monitoring social media to assess which cast members were driving growth and viewer loyalty.
Collaborated with executives and creative teams to balance artistic integrity with commercial viability, ensuring casting selections met both creative and business objectives.

Education

Associate of Arts - Acting For Film And Televsion

Vancouver Film School

Vancouver

01-2020

BBA - Marketing Management

University of Lethbridge

Lethbridge

01-2015

Bachelor of Arts - International Advertising

Hu University of Utrecht

Utrecht