{{Redirect|Starring role|the Marina and the Diamonds song|Electra Heart}}{{Short description|Pre-production process for selecting actors, dancers, singers, or extras for roles or parts}}

{{use USAmerican English|date=November 2022}}

In the [[performing arts]] industry such as [[theatre]], [[film]], or [[television]], '''casting''', or a '''casting call''', is a [[pre-production]] process for selecting a certain type of [[actor]], [[dancer]], [[singer]], or [[extra (acting)|extra]] forto aland particularthe role orof a partcharacter in a script, [[screenplay]], or [[teleplay]]. This process may be used for a [[motion picture]], [[television program]], [[documentary film]], [[music video]], [[play (theatre)|play]], or [[advertisement]], intended for an [[audience]].

These audition pieces are usually videotaped, typically in the form of [[screen test]]s and then attached with resumes,<ref>{{cite web|title=How do I add my resume and more information about myself?|url=https://www.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?proaddresume|date=May 21, 2017|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=May 21, 2017}}</ref> as well as [[head shot]]s and or viewed online via websites such as [[IMDb]], then shared with film producers, film directors and or [[studio executive]]s. Later stages may involve groups of actors &mdash;both union, ([[SAG-AFTRA]]) and non-union, depending on the size and scope of the production, &mdash;attempting to read material from the work under consideration, paired off in various combinations of two, three or more. With each of the actor's overall [[motivational]] choices evaluated, the casting panel considers both the individual actor, and the "chemistry" created from either one of the combinations set forth within the [[read-through]].{{cncitation needed|date=November 2022}}

Casting calls may go out into the general public at large, sometimes referred to as a "[[cattle call]]" (a U.S. term<ref>{{cite web | title=Cattle call definition and meaning | website=[[Collins English Dictionary]] | date=16 November 2022 | url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/cattle-call | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref>), or open audition, in which hundreds or even thousands of performers compete for a number of roles.<ref>{{cite web | title=What are Cattle Calls?| first=Michael| last= Pollick | website=WiseTour | date=12 October 2022 | url=http://www.wisetour.com/what-are-cattle-calls.htm | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref>

Casting character breakdowns,<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Write a Casting Notice|url=https://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/how-to-write-a-casting-call/481|date=April 2, 2013|publisher=[[Lights Film School]]|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321022431/http://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/how-to-write-a-casting-call/481/|archive-date=March 21, 2016}}</ref> not to be confused with [[script breakdown]]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Script Breakdown 101|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMep2s_T89c|date=Feb 18, 2016|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225024006/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMep2s_T89c|archive-date=December 25, 2016}}</ref> are often provided by production agents who submit their clients to casting, which provides a brief summary of character (age, gender, race or ethnicity, situations they may be involved in).

An actor may go through several casting calls before receiving a part, and even though well-known actors or actresses often still go through this very necessary process, some are privileged enough to have well-known writers, [[screenwriter]]s, directors and /or directors /producers [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitch]] a project for their intent to be cast in a role. The well-known actor or actress often negotiates producer [[Credit (creative arts)|credit]] as well as very lucrative monetary compensation.{{cncitation needed|date=November 2022}}

==Casting director / casting agencies==

For some major productions, the process of selecting actors for sometimes hundreds of speaking parts and roles often requires specialized staff. While the last word remains with the people in charge such as the director, producer, artistic departments and overall production team, a '''casting director'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Twinkie Byrd - Casting in the 21st Century|url=https://socialbilitty.com/2017/03/twinkie-byrd-casting-in-the-21st-century/|date=March 24, 2017|publisher=[[Socialbilitty]]|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214074029/https://socialbilitty.com/2017/03/twinkie-byrd-casting-in-the-21st-century/|archive-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> or "CD" is in charge of most of the daily work involved in this process during [[pre-production]]. A casting director is sometimesoften assisted by a casting associate; productions with large numbers of extras may have their own extras casting director as well. However, in all aspects of a film or television production's budget, they are all a part of the [[Above-the-line (filmmaking)|above-the-line]], answering to the director as part of his or her staff.<ref>{{cite book|title=Job Descriptions for Film, Video & Cgi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gv8MAAAACAAJ|date=May 21, 2017|access-date=May 21, 2017|isbn = 9780935873023|last1 = Hines|first1 = William E.}}</ref>

Most films use either a casting agency or a casting director to find actors to match the roles in the film, apart from the lead actors, who are often chosen by directors and producers.<ref name=ff>{{cite web | title=How casting agencies work and how they makes money | website=Filmmakers Fans | date=26 January 2017 | url=http://filmmakersfans.com/casting-agencies-work-makes-money/ | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> The job of a casting director is to know a lot about a lot of actors, so that they can advise and present to the director the best of the available talent. Casting directors are highly influential and are usually on the project because the director trusts their judgement; they are also the ones who decide who the director does see.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Audition : everything an actor needs to know to get the part| last=Michael. |first=Shurtleff| date=1980|orig-year=1978|publisher=Bantam Books|isbn=0553272950|edition=Bantam |location=New York|oclc=47813908}}</ref>

'''Casting agenciescompanies''' are independent organisationsorganizations which liaise between performers and directors or producers. They need to have detailed knowledge of actors on their books, as they are responsible for putting forward suitable candidates to match specific roles described by producers and directors. The agencycompany draws up lists, and interviews are conducted, after which selected candidates attend an audition. If the producer selects one or more actors, the casting agencyprofessionals negotiatesnegotiate contracts and fees.<ref>{{cite web | title=What does a casting agency do? Why should you use one? | website=We've Got Talent | date=13 July 2021 | url=https://www.wevegottalent.co.uk/what-does-a-casting-agency-do/ | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> Casting agentsprofessionals have to get to know many performers and assess their level of skill, and use a selection process to cut a large number down to a small group to bring to the producer for consideration.<ref>{{cite web | title=South Australia's leading Actors Agency | website=Casting Process | url=https://www.actorsink.com.au/casting/casting-process/ | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> They may also represent actors, but not necessarily.<ref>{{cite web | title=Casting Office v. Casting Agency | website=The Forge | date=28 September 2021 | url=https://www.theforgechi.com/post/casting-office-v-casting-agency | access-date=16 November 2022 | archive-date=June 16, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616060000/https://www.theforgechi.com/post/casting-office-v-casting-agency | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The role of the casting director or casting agency may include the following:<ref name=ff/>

* Assist the actors with understanding the characters

The casting director remains as a liaison between director, actors and their agents/managers and the studio/network to get the [[character (arts)|character]]s in the script cast.<ref name=imdbcd>{{cite web | title=Movie Terminology Glossary - C | website=IMDb | date=23 May 2000 | url=http://www.imdb.com/glossary/C#casting | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123073720/http://www.imdb.com/glossary/C#casting | archive-date=23 November 2017 | url-status=dead | access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref> Some casting directors build an impressive career working on numerous [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] productions, such as [[Marion Dougherty]], [[Mary Jo Slater]], [[Mary Selway]], [[Lynn Stalmaster]], [[April Webster]], [[Robert J. Ulrich (casting director)|Robert J. Ulrich]], [[Tammara Billik]], [[Marci Liroff]], [[Avy Kaufman]], [[Mindy Marin]], and [[Robi Reed]], and [[Allison Jones (casting director)|Allison Jones]].<ref>{{cnCite magazine |date=November2015-03-30 2022|title=Allison Jones, Nerd Hunter |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/04/06/the-nerd-hunter |access-date=2023-04-02 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US}} </ref>

At least in the early stages of casting and or extras casting, the process may be decentralized geographically, often in conjunction with actual shooting planned in different locations. Another reason may be tapping into each home market in the case of an [[international co-production]]. However, for the top partsroles, the choice of one or more beautiful peopleactors, whose presence is of enormous commercial importance, may rather follow strictly personal channels, e.g. direct contact with the director. During this time known as the "attachment phase" of a film, the casting director's job is to send out copies of the current script to agents for what is known as "coverage. Coverage is when", a scriptone-page yetsummary toof bethe castscript is read, summarized into a one-pager, andwith a brief set of character descriptions established. At this time, if ana talent agency agrees to give coverage to a film, they will submit a list of ideas to the casting directors of actors available, capable, and in the price range of the film. Also,Casting castingdirectors directorsalso create their own idea lists and can "check avails" or call the actor representation to see if they are available and interested in taking on potential projects. If an idea that is generated from a casting director and a subsequent avail check or from an agent's recommendation is "approved" by the director, producers, and financiers (or studio), the casting director sends out what is called an "offer". The offer, usually contains a letter to the actor's representative explaining the role in question, a copy of the script, why the actor has been selected, the length of time commitment, the approximate start date of filming, the filming location, and the proposed salary offering. If the actor does not respond to the material or for whatever reason cannot accept the job, they respond to casting with what is called a "pass." If they accept the offer, the agenttalent representative engages the casting director and a deal memo is sent from casting to the representative. It is at this time when negotiations between agency and production happen to finalize any deal points before the entertainment lawyers step in and draw up the attachment contracts. If this process happens very early on in the development of a movie but the official shoot dates and details are not yet known, a Letter of Intent or "LOI" is drafted, to indicate, if and when the project is "green lit" or begins active production, the actor is already hired to portray that particular role.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Self-management for actors : getting down to (show) business| last=Bonnie.| first=Gillespie| date=2009|publisher=Cricket Feet Pub|isbn=9780972301992|edition=3rd |location=Los Angeles, CA|oclc=182731144}}</ref>

After the attachment phase is complete (which depends on many factors, including financial backers, studio heads, availability of other above-the-line personnel), the physical auditions begin for all of the remaining roles. During this time, depending on the budget of the film, they could have what is called "pre-screensreads" where the actor auditions only for a casting director (or associate) to see if they are right for the material. After pre-screensreads would be a "callback" or "director/producer session". During this time the actor comes in and auditions (usually with the same material) and performs for the casting director and, the film director. If there is a next step, itand isanyone usually a "callback" or producer session, where anyoneelse who has decision-making power is in the room for your audition. In television, this phase is referred to as a "screen test" and network executives would also be in attendance. Once actors are selected from the pool of available actors, the same booking process that happens in the attachment phase takes place for any actor except; extras casting has its own separate process.<ref name=":1"/>

A common practice of many casting directors and casting associates in the United States have been casting director workshops. The types of workshop practices vary, but typically aspiring actors pay to perform in front of a casting professional who gives backprovides feedback on the performance. Actors and industry professionals against workshops argue that casting directors are paid to find talent, not have talent pay to be seen by them. Supporters of the workshops argue that the workshops have classroom like settings and are a good source of feedback and networking.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/casting-directors-gatekeepers-success-635/| title=Casting directors are not the gatekeepers to your success| first = Joseph| last= Pearlman | date= June 28, 2018 | website=Backstage}}</ref>

Because of their mixed reception, casting director workshops have not been met without controversy. Former ''[[Criminal Minds]]'' casting director [[Scott David]] was fired after ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' published a story about his casting director workshops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/criminal-minds-casting-director-hollywood-880495|title='Criminal Minds' Casting Director Out After Hollywood Reporter Story on Pay-to-Play Workshops|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=4 April 2016}}</ref> In February 2017, five casting director workshops were charged with criminal charges for charging actors to audition for projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/hollywood-casting-workshop-scams-city-attorney-1201907052/|title=L.A. City Attorney Busts Five Casting Workshops for Charging for Auditions|date=9 February 2017}}</ref> In January 2018, [[Lindsay Chag]], the casting director of films like ''[[Robin Hood: Men in Tights]]'' and ''[[Dracula: Dead and Loving It]]'', was convicted guilty of violating the [[Talent Scam Prevention Act]] for her role in casting director workshops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/casting-director-scandal-lindsay-chag-guilty-talent-scam-prevention-act-1202275794/|title = Casting Director Lindsay Chag Found Guilty of Violating Talent Scam Prevention Act|date = 31 January 2018}}</ref>

'''Readers:''' This person reads all other character's lines opposite the actor who is currently auditioning. A good reader is someone who has acting skills, but who has no interest in booking a role through that casting director's office at that time. For their audition sessions, casting offices will either bring in trusted actors as readers or will have one of the casting staff read with the actors. A reader will know how to give and take and play with other actors without ever outshining the auditioning actors.<ref name=":1"/>

'''Interns:''' Interns are more common to commercial casting offices, which host as many as a dozen different casting directors holding different auditions per day. While some commercial casting offices hold permanent casting space, many rent out studios on a project to project basis. A key intern will work with many busy casting directors sorting mail, copying sides and transcribing them onto "cue cards" or large boards to be read off of as prompts in the casting room, help actors sign in, and keep the flow of actors going in and out of the casting room as smooth as possible.<ref name=":1"/>

'''Casting Assistants:''' This is the entry-level position in the field of casting., Thesebut peoplethey goact aboveas andmuch beyondmore thethan call of duty of youra typical office assistant. They docover everythingthe from coveringoffice phones, tohandle makingcopying copiesand filing, settingand set up audition (aka "session") equipment like lights, the camera, sound equipment, etc. They sometimesoften can be foundassist in the office relaying audition appointments, checking actorsactor avails, or in the casting room making sure the recording software is running smoothly so the Casting Director can focus on each actor's performance.<ref name=":1" />

'''Casting Associates:''' AssociatesAssociate is the second [[command hierarchy|chain of command]] in a casting office. OnceAfter a casting associate has worked for two years in the field of casting, they can apply for membership in [[Casting Society of America]]. Typically, thethey work under a Casting Director running pre-read sessions, prepping deal memos, andcutting doingaudition anysides, and making calls to talent agents. Many associates begin to take on smaller scale projects so they can amass enough credits to move up in rank in CSA to a full-fledged Casting Director.<ref name=":1" />

==== Canada= ===

==== United Kingdom ====

In 2020, the [[British Academy Film Awards]] introduced the [[BAFTA Award for Best Casting]].<ref>{{cnCite news |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |date=November2019-08-07 2022|title=Bafta film and TV awards introduce new casting category |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/07/bafta-film-and-tv-awards-introduce-new-casting-category |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==== United States ====

The significant organization of professional screen, television, reality, and theater casting in the US is the [[Casting Society of America]] (CSA), but membership is optional. Casting directors organized in 2005 and became members of a collective bargaining unit, the Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 and New York Teamsters Local 817.{{cncitation needed|date=November 2022}}