15 Tips for Casting a Short Film/Web Series
1. Decide on a date and time.
2. Choose a public location. Never cast out of a private residence. You want your actors to feel safe.
Location ideas:
a. Local Library
b. Dance Studio
c. Photo Studio
d. Church
e. University/College
f. Musician's rehearsal studios
g. Crew or family member's office
3. Announce your casting call a week or two prior via actor and film related Facebook groups and any local casting websites or yahoo group. Backstage, Casting Networks, Actors Access, SAG/AFTRA etc. can also be options.
Sample posting:
Production Title:
Paid or Non-Paid (choose one) Meals, Copy, Credit Provided
Union/Non-Union (choose one)
Project type: Independent/Studio/Student (Choose One)
Filming locations:
Production dates:
Audition dates:
Audition Times: List or TBD
Can add: We will be auditioning in 10/15-minute intervals.
Audition location: TBD or list
Email:
Project type: Independent/Studio/Student (Choose One)
Filming locations:
Production dates:
Audition dates:
Audition Times: List or TBD
Can add: We will be auditioning in 10/15-minute intervals.
Audition location: TBD or list
Email:
Submission Instructions: Example: Please email head shots, resumes, and link to reel if available
Logline:
Character descriptions:
Notes:
(Example: Before submitting, please make sure you are willing and available to shoot overnights on the dates listed above. We will do our best to shot list actors so as to minimize their time on set.
Director:
Producer:
Any other cast or crew already attached:
Logline:
Character descriptions:
Notes:
(Example: Before submitting, please make sure you are willing and available to shoot overnights on the dates listed above. We will do our best to shot list actors so as to minimize their time on set.
Director:
Producer:
Any other cast or crew already attached:
4. Determine how many actors you can see in the time allotted.
5. Curate the submissions and choose which actors you would like to see.
6. Develop a spread sheet with actors contact information, potential role, and audition time.
7. Contact actors with their audition time, audition location, and ask for a confirmation. (Depending on how much time you allot per actor, you may or may not want to schedule 2 or more actors per time slot as there are often no shows).
8. Inform confirmed actors what to expect at the audition. Will you require actors to be prepared with sides provided (don't forget to send them), improv, monologue, cold readings?
9. Post signs at entrance of building directing actors to the audition room.
10. Have a sign in sheet and actor info/contact sheet. On the contact sheet, I think actors appreciate knowing when you expect to inform chosen actors they have been cast, so if they are not chosen, actors know when to move on. If there you need more time, you can always email actors on your "short list" informing them they are still in consideration.
Example of Actor Sign In Sheet/Non-Union:
Example of Actor Info sheet:
Film Title
Name:
Role(s):
Phone:
Email:
Union (circle one): Yes No
Emergency Contact:
Name: Relation:
Phone:
Would you accept another role? Yes No
Be an extra? Yes No
If shooting overnights: We are hoping for two late afternoon-midnight shoots, but there is a strong possibility this film will shoot two overnights. Are you willing to shoot overnights? Yes No
Please list any conflicts (day and night)/list rehearsal and shoot dates:
This film in paid (rate)/deferred (rate)/non-paid. Food/meals and copy will be provided.
Casting should be completed no later than ________. If you are cast, we will contact you by this date. Otherwise, please know we are grateful for your interest and will keep you in mind for future projects.
Please return form with your picture and resume. If no resume, tell us a little about your acting experience in the remaining space below.
11. If you will be taping, make sure you have a camera, back up battery or charging source, enough video storage or computer to download video to when storage card is full.
12. If your sides include a prop, have the prop available for the actor. Otherwise, determine if you would or would not like them to pantomime the prop. I prefer no pantomiming.
13. Have the actor slate.
14. Let the actor show them their take on the script and have 1-3 alternative ideas to give them to see how they take direction.
15. Have fun. Thank the actors for their time.
Should you decide to make your short film union SAG/AFTRA, it's easy. Don't get overwhelmed by the paperwork or what the union website says. If you are a newbie, call your local office, and they will direct you to the appropriate person who will walk you through the process. SAG/AFTRA actors can do short films on a deferred basis or $100 per day. For web series, the rate is negotiable. SAG/AFTRA actors want to work, so if you have an actor show up and say they are union, no problem. Just call the SAG/AFTRA office and get paperwork started.
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