Steps to Cast Your Next Production

For a first timer, casting can be very daunting. Even if you’ve cast actors for productions before, every project is different and there’s a lot of variation. Luckily, no matter what you’re casting, there are a few simple tips and tricks of the trade that you can follow to help you along the way.

1. Decide what you’re looking for

The first step is figuring out what kind of people you need for your production, to determine what kind of casting to have. Are you looking for a businessman type for a corporate video, or a teenage girl for a short film? In terms of how to get your casting call out there, this is where ModelFactory can help. We make it easy to place a casting call on our website and manage your applicants, as well as checking out potential talent in our Talent Directory.

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2. Write a detailed casting call

When writing your casting call, outline as much information as you can about the types of characters you’re looking for. The more details you include, the higher-quality applications you’ll receive. Make sure you also list all the skills or physical attributes you want them to have, and make a note if you’d like them to include a showreel with their application.

A showreel can save you a lot of time in the audition room and allow you to get a general feel for the applicant’s abilities. You’ll also need to be upfront about what you can pay and offer any successful applicants.

3. Get ready for the auditions

The next step is to decide what kind of casting you need to have. This might be an open casting, where anyone can come along and audition, or you could choose to specifically audition people who have applied to your casting on ModelFactory. Which type of casting to choose will depend on your personal preference, as well as other aspects such as the size of your project and your budget.

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4. Create a shortlist of applicants

Once your casting call is up on the site, you’ll need to narrow down your applicants. This is where you should definitely trust your instincts. Try to create a shortlist of no more than 4-6 actors to audition for each character you’re casting for. Also make sure these people have a couple of different looks, as you never know who might be exactly what you’re looking for. In preparation for the audition process, help the applicants out by giving them as much information as possible.

Is there a script they need to know or a preferred accent you’d like them to deliver the piece in? What kind of style are you after? It’s also helpful to give the applicant a few directions during the audition, to make sure they can follow instructions.

Feeling better about the casting project? Place a free casting call now and get the ball rolling for your next production. Best of luck for your future castings!