Logan Voss
Casting is a significant process for any new production. From the highest budget movies, to the world’s most iconic commercials, to a student’s first short film, every project can benefit from a hard-working, well-chosen actor or voice over talent. This is why it’s important to make your casting process the best it can be. With an enticing notice, an efficient and productive call day, and a clear idea of who you want on your team, you can find the best talent for your project. To help you through the process, here’s our list of what to know when hosting a casting call.
The Casting Notice
To make a detailed and attention-grabbing description for your casting notice, you need to know exactly what you want in an actor. What is your desired gender and age range? What tone or message do you want them to convey? Having these ideas in mind will help you come up with a clear description of the project and role. However, even beyond the written description, it’s important to have an in-depth understanding of your project, the role, and the specific scene actors will perform for the audition. Make sure you can answer any questions your potential actors might have during their audition. When you’re an expert on the script and overall project, you can enter your casting process with a clear idea of who and what you want.
Audition Day
When it comes to what to know when hosting a casting call, it’s important to create a well-organized and efficient audition day. Provide your actors with a welcoming reception area and a comfortable waiting room. Create an easy flow of traffic to guide people through the day without letting the venue get too crowded. If you plan on having a lot of people show up, host a closed casting call instead. You can find potential candidates through an earlier round of auditions or through demo libraries from online voice over companies. Listen to as many demos as you want to find a solid list of candidates, then reach out and invite them to your casting call so that you can get to know them—and their skills—better.
Don’t Make Snap Judgements
Who you cast is a serious decision, so it’s important to take your time and carefully consider your options. After every audition, give your team a few minutes to discuss the actor they just met. Even if everyone seems to like an individual, don’t commit to them just yet. Make sure you take the time to see other auditions and think over your favorite actors. It’s also a good idea to record your auditions, so you can listen back to them later. When you slow down and seriously consider your future actors, you’re sure to make the best possible decision for your team and your project.
