With our second casting call for Stopover City rolling around I've definitely picked on to some of the do's and don'ts of casting calls. I thought you all would appreciate some tips for your future casting calls...
How to run a successful casting call
- Casting Location
- The location needs to be in an comfortable environment with ample room for actor to prepare prior to auditioning.
- Advertise Casting Call
- Promote your casting date on all social media (Facebook, Twitter, and the film webpage)
- Promote via posters *literally post them everywhere*
- Expand promotion outside of school, send mass emails and contact actor agencies.
- Choose Scenes for Actors to Read at Casting Call.
- Look for short scenes that involve the character interacting and illustrate a range of emotion.
- Have more than one scene available for reading.
- Make a schedule
- Rent Location for casting, and if needed equipment before hand to avoid any potential conflicts
- Extensive time block. *you want to avoid making the actor feel rushed.
- Distribute information sheets to actors
- At the end of each audition, you should provide the actor with an information sheet that contains the following:
- outline the days of production
- contact information for them to fill.
- Extra Tips for Casting Day!
- Be knowledgeable of script and all deadlines
- Have a script available. I recommend 1 electronic copy, and 2 hard copies.
- Have a script breakdown and character descriptions *actors will appreciate more context of their character prior to auditioning
- Have a camera ready to record the audition
- Have a sign in sheet posted
- Provide refreshments and snacks to leave a professional and lasting impression.
