How Does the Casting Process Work?
Principal Casting Directors
Background Casting Directors
Auditioning to Get the Role

How Does the Casting Process Work?
Performers are not hired by the production directly - so don't send your resume to a production office or call them looking for a gig.

The production company hires a casting director to find performers to fill the roles. There are two types of casting directors for film/television productions - principal casting directors fill the speaking roles and background casting directors fill the background roles.

Principal Casting Directors
In film, TV and commercial productions, the producer and casting director draw up a list of the roles they need to fill and send this information, called a breakdown, to local agents. Breakdown sheets describe the characters and the number of performance days involved in the role. These breakdowns are sent to agents through a breakdown service. Agents look at the breakdowns and then send performer packages that may include photos, resumes and reels to the casting directors. The casting director then goes through the submissions and decides on a small number of performers to audition. He/she then calls the agents representing those performers, who in turn call their clients to let them know when and where the audition will be held. They will also fax or e-mail the relevant portions of the script (called "sides") to the performer so he/she can prepare. Remember that performers do not call the casting directors - that is the agents' job. Casting directors have very little free time and don't like it when performers call them to say, "Hey, can I have a job?"

Background Casting Directors
The background casting process works much differently. The producer hires a background casting director who will have to find performers to fill crowd and background scenes. Background casting directors may phone the performers directly or may do group bookings through various agencies. Often, they will phone an agent and say, "I need ten people who meet these criteria" and then the agent provides those background performers to the production.

Auditioning to Get the Role
When you go to an audition always bring a photo and resume with you. The casting director conducts auditions, sometimes with the director and/or producer of the production present. Almost all auditions are videotaped. You will be asked to "slate" as the audition starts - that means you state your name and your agency name. Then you perform your lines. Depending on the complexity of the role, this can range from saying, "Here's your beer sir" or "This candy bar tastes great" to a long and involved performance that runs into several pages of script. Your audition will generally last seven to 10 minutes but you should arrive at least 15 minutes early. In lengthier parts where the character has interchanges of dialogue with another performer, the casting director will usually have a "reader" at the audition to play the opposing part. Casting directors have told us in no uncertain terms that the single biggest mistake that performers make in auditions is that they are insufficiently prepared. Know your lines before you show up at the audition. Try to get a feel for what the casting director and director might want. Don't apologize or ask too many questions - you should feel comfortable enough when you go into an audition to give a great reading.