The role of a casting director is to ensure that the right actor is chosen for a role. The casting director works with the director and other members of the production team to make sure that actors are selected who reflect the character they are meant to play, as well as their ability to portray it.
To become a casting director, you must first have experience in acting or performing in some capacity. This can be as an actor on stage, screen or television; or as an agent or manager representing actors; or even as an assistant in these areas. If you do not have any experience in this industry but are interested in becoming a casting director, you may want to get involved with local theatres and productions around your area so that you can gain some experience and build up your resume before applying for internship positions with more established agencies or studios.
After establishing yourself within the industry by either working for free or getting paid entry-level positions, it’s time to start looking for full-time work. Many casting directors are hired directly from within their own agency due to their reputation for doing good work there; however, if this isn’t available for you then try contacting other agencies directly and asking if they’re hiring any new talent at this time?
How To Become Casting Director
There are many different roles within the film, television and creative arts industries, and one of the top roles is a casting director. To become a casting director, you can pursue many different educational paths, gain hands-on experience in casting or talent management and advance into this leadership role after years of finding talented performers for a variety of projects. Knowing what a casting director does, how much they can earn and the steps you need to take to become one can help you better determine if this is the career path that suits your goals.
In this article, we explore the role of a casting director, their salary and the paths that lead to this position.
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What is a casting director?
A casting director is a filmmaking professional who’s in charge of auditioning talent for films, television projects, commercials, photoshoots and other creative film or photography projects. In the theater industry, they collaborate with directors and producers to cast actors, background actors, singers, dancers and other talent for stage productions.
Related: 15 Filmmaking Jobs in the Entertainment Industry
What does a casting director do?
A casting director’s responsibilities may vary depending on the scope of their role, the projects they work on and where they work. Their general duties often include:
- Reading scripts and character descriptions
- Meeting with directors and producers to identify top characteristics for talent and characters
- Reviewing resumes and headshots from actors, models and other talent
- Watching audition tapes from prospective talent
- Traveling to other locations to scout talent and hold open auditions
- Holding closed auditions and screen tests with actors
- Choosing groups of talent who fulfill character requirements
- Collaborating with directors and producers in selecting starring and top-billed talent
Related: 26 Jobs for Theater Major You Can Pursue
How much does a casting director make?
The salary for a casting director may depend on many factors, including:
- Level of experience and education
- Scope of a project
- How often they work
- The types of projects they cast for
indeed has salary data for casting manager, which can be another term for a casting director. Casting managers can make $74,983 per year.
How to become a casting director
There are many paths to pursuing this career. Some involve pursuing initial educations while others begin by working in entry-level positions in the industry. Here are some steps you can take to become a casting director:
1. Pursue a bachelor’s degree
To increase your employability, advancement opportunities and earning potential, complete a bachelor’s degree in any field that can provide you a foundation of soft skills like writing, research, creative thinking and critical thinking. Some majors to consider include:
- Film and television: In this undergraduate program, you learn the history of cinema and TV, practice media production in a variety of genres and produce creative projects for your portfolio.
- Theater: As a theater major, you can learn the history of theater, study acting and directing, write your own stories, perform on stage and practice theater management.
- Fine art: This major allows you to practice several fine art disciplines and specialize in one. You may study painting, photography or sculpture and develop your creative thinking, expression and vision.
- Communication: A communication major involves writing, research, studying communication techniques, practices and customs and learning how to improve communication in a variety of settings.
- Business: A business degree provides experience with management theory, techniques and practices as well as finance, accounting, marketing and advertising.
All of these, and many other programs, can help you become a more effective communicator and leader, which is essential as an aspiring casting director.
2. Complete an internship
Whether you complete a degree or not, getting an internship in the film, theater or professional photography industries allows you to gain practical experience, make professional connections and observe how casting work in these fields.
An internship at a production company or theater can help you to meet producers, directors and actors as well as learn skills related to being an assistant in the industry. In an internship at a casting or talent agency, you can observe casting professionals on the job and help with the casting process. If you do well in an internship in the industry, you may earn an entry-level role at the same organization.
3. Do a fellowship or apprenticeship in casting
After gaining some relevant experience either in school or as an intern, consider pursuing a fellowship or apprenticeship under a casting professional. These opportunities have you shadowing associate casting directors and casting directors, assisting with casting tasks like reviewing resumes and headshots and deliberating over talent after auditions.
In some cases, these opportunities lead to full-time positions with a casting director as an assistant or as a starting point for beginning your own career as an independent casting professional.
4. Gain volunteer experience in casting
Another way to keep gaining experience is to offer your time, skills and knowledge to cast a local production, event, photoshoot or stageplay. While completing undergraduate studies, you can ask student directors or professors to assist with casting their plays or film projects. You can even reach out to a local community theater to see if they have any casting opportunities. In some cases, these roles may even pay.
5. Start as a casting assistant
When you begin applying for professional casting roles, you’ll likely be most qualified for casting assistant roles. This position involves helping casting directors and associate casting directors find talent. Depending on your level of experience, the scope of the casting director’s work, and how many casting assistants are already on the team, you may be responsible for coordinating with agents, scheduling auditions, delivering audition tapes, collecting resumes and headshots, setting up audition rooms and recording equipment, and helping casting directors manage a talent pool.
6. Network with professionals in the industry
To meet industry professionals and make connections, consider:
- Completing an internship in your desired industry
- Attending theater or filmmaking events and conferences
- Working as a background performer or production assistant
- Collaborating with colleagues to produce films, plays or photoshoots
All of these and more networking opportunities allow you to meet casting professionals, discover potential employment opportunities, make connections with up-and-coming talent, or find a mentor or future collaborator. Networking throughout your casting career is essential to building a contact list of performers, directors, producers and other industry professionals you can use as you advance.
Related: 10 Tips to Help You Network Like a Pro
6. Become an associate casting director
After serving as a casting assistant for a few years, apply for a role as an associate casting director for a specific production company, casting agency, casting director or project. In this role, you’re responsible for advising the casting director during decisions, providing feedback on talent and coordinating callbacks with agents.
Because this role directly reports to the casting director, you’re able to work one-on-one and showcase your knowledge and expertise as a casting professional.
7. Join a professional organization
After serving as a casting associate, you’re eligible to apply for membership with the Casting Society of America (CSA), which is the leading organization for professional support, networking and certification in the filmmaking industry. As a member, you have access to many benefits, including exclusive job postings, collaboration with other industry guilds (like for directors and producers), invitations to special screenings and events and the certifying C.S.A. in any film credit after becoming a member. This abbreviation demonstrates your professional affiliation and highlights your experience and expertise.
8. Advance into a casting director role
Typically, with at least 10 years of casting experience on your resume, you can search for opportunities to lead casting efforts as a casting director. Because this role works independently of a production company, you and your team are responsible for securing work.
Reach out to previous directors and producers you’ve worked with to see what projects they need cast. In many cases, if you are well-connected and experienced, you may have a few frequent collaborators who come to you with opportunities. You may also be close with executives at various production companies who can also provide you projects.
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Frequently asked questions about becoming a casting director
Here are some FAQs about becoming a casting director to help you learn more about this role:
What skills do you need to become a casting director?
Casting directors need a combination of soft skills and industry knowledge, including:
- Creative thinking
- Communication
- Critiquing and providing feedback
- Collaboration
- Acting and directing
- Organization
- Decision-making
Do you have to go to school to become a casting director?
There aren’t specific degree programs that focus on casting, but earning a bachelor’s degree is often required for advanced opportunities in the industry. In addition, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in nearly any discipline, though education in film, theater, business or communication are beneficial.
What is the difference between casting directors and agents?
Casting directors are only in charge of auditioning actors and choosing performers to fill roles, while agents represent actors by finding projects, coordinating auditions, setting up meetings with casting directors, directors and producers and managing contracts.
Casting directors may collaborate with agents to schedule auditions, screen tests and casting calls and secure callbacks and lucrative roles.
