Casting

This section provides a more in-depth look at the casting process, highlighting essential steps such as communication between agents, managers, casting directors, internet casting services, and industry best practices for youth and young adult performers.

Casting Fundamentals

• The Role of Agents, Managers and Casting Directors: Actors typically secure roles through coordination between agents, managers, and casting directors, though a casting house may occasionally hold an open call where both represented and unrepresented talent audition for a part. This differs from the outlets that use scams to hook families.
• Internet Casting Services: Online “digital” platforms have revolutionized casting by distributing role breakdowns and broad audition notices. Agents, managers and unrepresented actors can register on these services, though agents and managers have an exclusive “Talent Representative” sign in, where casting director's focus most of their attention. Agents and managers have vetted talent on their roster that often have significant credits on their resumes. Youth actors have lots of competition too, though casting directors are much more likely to cast a child that has little or no credits on their resumes, where the opposite is true for older teens and adults that require demonstrative credits.

Preparing for Auditions

Learn how to prepare for auditions, from bringing essential materials to understanding sign-in procedures and privacy considerations.

Audition Preparation

• Essentials to Bring: Always carry two headshots with resumes on the back of the headshots to an audition. Sign in using a pen, (no markers or pencils) including name, the name of the agency that sent you on the audition, call time, and arrival time. Do not share personal information. Parents should never share any personal contact information. All callbacks and bookings are directly communicated to a minor's representative. Same applies to adults.
• Conduct During Auditions: Auditions for commercials, film and television roles are videotaped, and only one parent or guardian may accompany the child. (That doesn’t mean that the parent or guardian goes into the casting room for their audition).
• Friends and additional family members are not permitted. Be polite and respectful to fellow actors at auditions. Keep your voice volume down and exercise cell phone etiquette, (silence them) casting directors are in session. While waiting for your turn in the casting room, find a quiet corner to rehearse your (for example) commercial copy lines aloud. You will not receive commercial copy in advance as you do with sides and scripts to prepare. Commercial copy is given to actors upon arrival at sign in.

The Casting Process

Explore the casting journey, from receiving scripts to booking roles.

Steps in the Casting Process

• Scripts, Sides, and Breakdown Distribution: Casting directors receive scripts and sides, (excerpts from scripts highlighting lines for a particular role) identify roles, and share breakdowns with agents and managers.
• Agent and Manager Submissions: Your representative submits actors for roles electronically or occasionally via courier, (hard copy delivery).
• Audition Selection: Casting directors select a limited number of actors for auditions.
• Scheduling Auditions: Agents and managers relay interview details and provide actors with sides and often a full script for the audition. You must be off book (know your lines) with your assigned sides, (not the entire script) or if instructed, you may show up loosely rehearsed. Important: You must arrive on time or forfeit your chance to audition.

Callbacks and Compensation

Callback Process: After initial auditions, callbacks involve further review by casting directors, producers and directors. Multiple callbacks may occur, and selection often depends on the actor’s performance and their fit or chemistry with other cast members. Casting directors, producers, and directors are narrowing down their choices during callback sessions before they decide on who finally gets the part. The magic happens when an actor auditions for a role and gives birth to the character at the first audition also known as pre-read. Callbacks are no longer necessary when this occurs. The best example of this can be seen in two YouTube videos of Henry Thomas auditioning for the role of Elliot in the Spielberg film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.

Sign on YouTube and search the following:

• YouTube - type: The Story of Casting Elliot in “E.T.”
• YouTube - type: Henry Thomas was only 9 when he auditioned for Elliot in E.T: the Extra-Terrestrial

Compensation: Typically, there isn't compensation for an audition. Occasionally, actors may be eligible for pay if detained over an hour or asked to learn additional lines outside the studio. Likewise, if an actor receives multiple callback sessions for the same project, talent may receive per diem allowance covering their expenses. Your representative will contact the local SAG-AFTRA office for details.

Industry Story

I once represented a young talent who was what the industry calls a “triple threat”—an accomplished actor, singer, and dancer. The production was the Broadway musical Nine, starring Antonio Banderas in his Broadway debut as the character Guido Contini.

My young client booked the role of “Young Guido,” portraying Guido as a child, primarily in the adult Guido’s memories, imagination, and flashbacks. Before landing the role, he attended an initial audition, a second audition, and then was called back two more times as the creative team continued narrowing the field before ultimately selecting him for the part.

Before we received the exciting news that he had been cast, his father became frustrated with the repeated callbacks and the constant trips back and forth to New York. He even asked me if they really had to go to the fourth callback—adding, “What more do they need to see?” I explained that this was a positive and exciting stage of the process, even if his son did not ultimately get the role. Receiving that much attention from the casting team meant that he was making a strong impression, which could lead to consideration for future projects if he was not selected for this one.

Parents should trust the process and remain positive throughout the audition phase. Multiple callbacks are a sign that a performer is being seriously considered, and every opportunity to be seen by casting professionals can help build future career opportunities.