Casting

A casting is comparable to a job interview. It is used to cast roles in a film, TV production or commercial. The right actor or actress is selected from a group of applicants for a specific role. Whether for models , presenters , or voice-over artists , castings are held to optimise the casting of the respective role. Actors , models, singers , dancers , and other artists or performers are put forward by an agency for film and television productions , music videos, promotional videos, and photoshoots .

Castings for film and TV

The actors in a film are referred to as the ‘cast’. The cast is decided based on the casting. In most cases, actors are recommended via a casting agency . The agency's casting director organises the event or a pre-selection and then submits their suggestions to the respective directors and producers.

Model castings

At model castings, both the model’s body measurements and suitability are assessed by the modelling agency . As a rule, digitals are taken of the model to show how he or she currently looks without any professional editing, styling, or makeup. The agency organises an appointment with the potential model client or sends a digital comp card. The model sometimes also introduces himself/herself to the client in person. In this case, the model brings his/her references, comp card and portfolio , and presents a selection of photos from previous productions.

Castings for promotional videos

Casting is an important factor for the success of advertising campaigns. In advertising, it is particularly important to use actors whom the audience can strongly identify with. Every commercial is aimed at a specific group of people, and the actor must embody this target group as accurately as possible.

How does the selection process work?

Every casting agency has a database containing a wide range of actors and models. The agency makes a pre-selection of applicants who could be suitable for a certain project. It searches specifically for models and actors who meet the producers' requirements. The principal criteria are age, gender, and physical attributes. Actors who meet the requirements in this initial selection process are shortlisted . For each production, there is a specially created questionnaire for further information. Often, an audition video of the candidates is requested before the actual casting. Direct contact with the candidate is usually made through a phone call at first. After these steps, the in-person casting takes place either with the agency or the client. The candidates who best meet the producer's requirements are invited to an in-person audition. Generally, representatives of the production company and usually also representatives from the casting agency are present at this audition. The candidates are able to introduce themselves in person. Depending on the format, the tasks for the applicants may vary; it can range from a personal introduction to a first photoshoot, to a singing or dancing audition, depending on the producer's requests.

Modern forms of casting

Traditional in-person castings are increasingly being taken over by online castings or selfies . This online-based format is increasingly replacing the face-to-face application process and is now a tried-and-tested way of filling roles. Virtual casting studios are even used for group castings, where a single employee from a casting agency can meet with several applicants from various different locations . In this way, the 'chemistry' between applicants can be tested virtually and character constellations, such as couples, can be casted. This form of casting saves time, costs and, in some cases, long journeys.

Agencies arrange and organise castings for applicants

If you are registered with a casting agency such as starboxx, you will be selected for suitable projects as required and invited to castings. The agency brings actors and producers together and takes care of organising the meeting. If you are interested in working with us, you can register with starboxx at any time.