Types of Casting Calls: What Actors Need to Know

Auditions and casting calls can be found in a number of different ways, from setting email alerts to attending open calls, to applying by direct submission on casting platforms.

Often separated by category, casting calls can vary from project to project and role specification.

The right role for you might be in a category you’re not seeing, or is not aligned correctly with your profile and filters. If you don’t know all the types of casting calls that exist, you might be missing out on opportunities.

Key Insights

Casting calls vary by role, project type, and audition format, so knowing each category can help actors find more opportunities.

Background, indie, commercial, print, and voice-over casting calls each have different submission requirements and expectations.

Actors should use targeted filters, and multiple search methods while staying alert for common casting scams.

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What Are the Main Types of Casting Calls?

Casting calls can be divided by role type, project type and audition format.

The main ones to know are as follows:

Open Calls – These auditions are open to all performers of varying experience, and usually take place when a production is seeking new talent. They can offer new actors the chance to be seen, even without representation, in an even playing field. However, because of the high volume of applicants, these casting calls are much more competitive.

Submission Only – This type of casting call allows actors to pitch for a role they are specifically suitable for. They are targeted, and are commonly found on casting platforms or through representation. Successful applicants are then invited to audition, providing a more clear-cut experience.

Self Tape/Online – The standard preliminary stage of the audition process is the self tape. This type of casting requires recording an audition at home with the sides provided. It allows more candidates to be evaluated on average than in-person, and can take place through an open call or a submission/invite only.

Production Type – This category is where casting calls are organized by their respective media format. Each will have a unique process based on requirement. A commercial audition can be submitted by self-tape but can be followed by an in-person recall, whereas a casting call for a voice-over will be a self tape with audio only.

Each type of casting call is then divided into sub-categories based on the role. An audition for a principal role can technically be found through any type of casting call, while roles for background lend themselves better to one category.

Background and Extra Work: What Those Casting Calls Actually Look Like

A breakdown will have information regarding the project, the role requirements and submission instructions.

Example:

Background Actors Needed for Major Netflix Show (Non Union/Union Actors)

Seeking actors for season 3 on a Major Netflix Show, talent must be LA-based.

ROLE: Seeking actors to portray party guests (Any Gender/Age 18-30)

DATES: Fitting July 20/Shoot 1st/2nd of August (Must be available all days)

LOCATION: Downtown Los Angeles, CA

RATE: Flat Rate of $231/8 Hours – Fitting Pay ¼ Check 3 Hours (SAG Covered)

APPLY NOW

Background casting calls may also clarify if candidates need special skills or must have certain physical features. Even if the project name is being kept under wraps, attaching the name of the studio, streaming service or casting director provides assurances about the casting call’s legitimacy.

Student Films, Indies, and Low-Budget Projects: A Separate Category Worth Understanding

Student films, indies and low-budget projects fall into a different category. Although they’re not obligated to follow union rules, they should be accountable for the alternatives offered to ensure that actors are compensated, protected and clear about what they are submitting for.

Example:

Project Title: “The Wasp”

Affiliated School/Production company: London Film School

Project Description: An Ultra Low Budget Short Film about a flying, stinging insect.

Role: Lead Dates/Location: Films between August 12-14 in London, U.K.

Compensation: Transportation/Accommodations/Meals Provided, plus a Copy of the Final Edit and IMDb Credit

Depending on budget, productions will occasionally cover meals, transportation, expenses, and even accommodations, as a substitute for monetary fees. Student films with lower budgets are likely to offer stipends or trade-offs, such as a copy of the final film and a credit from a verifiable source, like IMDb.

These projects are made by filmmakers with limited resources, so actors looking to gain experience while building their resume will find these types of casting calls most beneficial.

Commercial, Print, and Voice-over Casting Calls: How They Differ From Film and TV

Commercials

Casting calls for commercials will look similar in style to ones for film and TV, but because the production itself involves representing a brand or a client, there are more details regarding terms and conditions. Commercials for popular brands will denote usage rights and exclusivity to avoid conflicts with competitors.

Audition instructions will include submitting materials and a self tape with a slate. Some brands will ask for a quick introduction to get to know you. Instead of providing traditional sides, you’ll be asked to perform actions showing an emotional range that will simulate the commercial itself.

Example:

Role: Lead

Project Description: Commercial for a well-known skincare brand

Dates/Location: Fitting/Shoot 2-5th of September in Hawaii *Must have Valid ID for travel*

Fee: Basic Day Rate $350/10 Hours Usage Terms: $6,000 for 1 Year Global on Social Media Only

Notes: Applicants must disclose any conflicts

How to Submit: Fill Out Form and See Self-Tape Instructions Attached

Voice-over

Casting calls for voice-overs will state the information that applicants need to know about the project, but the submission instructions will differ. A voice-over audition will be a self-tape, audio only, recorded at home with the materials provided, formatted in an MP3 file.

Example:

Project: Radio Spot for Texas Football Team 60” (Must Have a Native Texan Accent)

How to Submit: Record the following lines ‘Welcome to Radio 1060, Dallas, Texas, home of the …’’

Label Files: Youname_Agent_FemaleTexasRadioSpot

MP3 Submission Only/Separate takes

Print

Casting calls for print work will follow the same principle. If the production is print only, they will ask for photos in a specific style/pose for the advertisement, along with a slate introduction and a portfolio if available.

See below:

Submit the Following Images – Portrait, Selfie Style, Both Profiles, Full Body

Slate Instructions: Name, height, age, representation and location. Tell us a bit about you and your experience (60 seconds or less)

Portfolio: If Available

Notes: Disclose availability for shoot dates and conflicts

Casting calls for film and TV are narrative-based, so they rely on the actor’s creative interpretation of the script. For commercials, print and voice-over, casting calls come with guided instructions. It’s imperative to be thorough, providing everything that is asked for, so that they can easily visualize you working with the brand or client.

How to Find and Access Different Types of Casting Calls

The best way to find and access casting calls is by signing up for a casting platform.

Be intentional, create a profile and set email alerts. Edit the filters in order to be matched correctly. If you’d like to look for casting calls for voice-overs only, you can use sites like Voice123. Otherwise, you’ll find a wide range of project types on most websites.

Submissions for representation only appear through a different tier. You can discuss the types of casting calls that interest you with your agent or manager to ensure that you are being submitted for the kinds of roles that you want to play.

Red Flags Across All Types of Casting Calls

Some casting calls can be fraudulent, appearing eerily similar regardless of category, but operate as scams. To recognize which castings are legitimate and which are not, look out for red flags. These include productions requiring up-front fees disguised as “registration” or “pay to play,” or projects that have vague information, without contact details.

Almost all real casting calls will provide information about the casting director. Use your discernment and research anything or anyone that is involved. If something feels off, it usually is. Remember that commercials usually involve reputable brands, so they’ll likely provide an NDA or a contract of terms in order to audition.

The great thing about finding castings from platforms like Casting Networks is that there is a screening process that offers a degree of protection, and more importantly, peace of mind.

Conclusion

Navigating the landscape of casting calls can be difficult when you are first starting out. There are certain requirements that only apply to commercials, the additional research for theater, and bracing yourself to endure sometimes day-long open castings calls.

There are so many opportunities out there, even if it is daunting at first. Start small, and look at one category, using filters. What information is given, what do you need to provide, and does this kind of casting call suit your style of audition comfort?

Open casting calls can be strenuous, and only offer a short amount of time in the room. Self tapes take a level of skill that needs to be developed over time. Musical theater is another conversation entirely, but the point is that there is so much out there.

Once you gain a foothold with more experience, you can figure out which types of casting calls are slipping through your filters, and which ones you need more practice with.

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