Casting (performing arts)
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 to land the role of a character in a script, screenplay, or teleplay. This process may be used for a motion picture, television program, documentary film, music video, play, or advertisement intended for an audience.
Cast types or roles
Actors are selected to play various types of roles. A main cast comprises several actors whose appearances are significant in film, theatre, or television. Their roles are often called starring roles. Within a main cast, there is often a male or female lead who plays the largest role, that of the protagonist in a production. When there is no singular lead, the main roles are referred to collectively as an ensemble cast, which comprises several principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal screen time. A supporting actor is one with a role that is important to a play or film, but less so than that of the leading actors. A supporting role is more important than a bit part, which involves direct interaction with the principal actors but no more than five lines of dialogue, often referred to as a "five-or-less" or "under-five" in the United States, or "under-sixes" in British television. When a well-known actor or other celebrity appears in a bit part, it is sometimes called a cameo appearance.Casting process
The casting process involves a series of auditions before a casting panel, composed of individuals within a production. Usually, in nearly all areas of show business, a casting director is on this panel, and depending on the type of production it may include a theatrical producer and theater director, a television producer, a film producer and film director, or choreographer. In the early stages of this process performers often may present or are presented with prepared audition pieces such as monologues, songs, choreography, scripts or sides.These audition pieces are usually videotaped, typically in the form of screen tests and then attached with resumes and head shots, then shared with producers, directors, or studio executives. Later stages may involve groups of actors—both union and non-union, depending on the size and scope of the production—attempting to read material from the work under consideration, paired up with other actors. With each actor's overall motivational choices evaluated, the casting panel considers both the individual actors and the chemistry created from combinations of them participating in a read-through.
Casting calls may go out into the general public at large, sometimes referred to as a "cattle call", or open audition, in which hundreds or even thousands of performers compete for a number of roles.
Casting character breakdowns, not to be confused with script breakdowns, are often provided by production agents who submit their clients to casting, which provides a brief summary of character.
Well-known actors or actresses have an advantage when it comes to landing roles. 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, screenwriters, directors or producers pitch a project for their intent to be cast in a role. By the time some casting directors finish reading a script they may already have ideas about which actors might be right for the roles. Casting directors know that these actors and actresses can bring in big audiences, enhance audience engagement, and bring in high revenue, making these movies a success.
Casting director
For major productions, the process of selecting actors for sometimes hundreds of speaking parts and roles often requires specialized staff. While the final decision remains with those in charge – such as the director, producer, artistic departments, and the overall production team – a casting director is responsible for most of the day-to-day work involved in this process during pre-production. A casting director is often assisted by a casting associate; productions with large numbers of extras may also employ an extras casting director. In the production budget, casting personnel are considered part of the above-the-line staff and typically answer to the director.Most films use either a casting agency or a casting director to find actors to match roles in the film, apart from the lead actors, who are often chosen directly by directors and producers. The job of a casting director is to know a wide range of actors so they can advise and present the best available talent to the director. Casting directors are highly influential and are usually engaged because the director trusts their judgement; they often control which actors the director actually sees.
Casting companies are independent organisations that liaise between performers and directors or producers. They maintain detailed knowledge of actors on their books and are responsible for proposing suitable candidates to match roles described by producers and directors. The company compiles lists and conducts interviews; selected candidates then attend auditions. If a producer selects one or more actors, the casting professionals negotiate contracts and fees. Casting professionals must assess many performers and reduce a large pool to a manageable shortlist for producers' consideration. They may also represent actors, but not necessarily.
The role of the casting director may include the following:
- Maintaining a list of actors and getting to know them
- Meeting the film's director and, where possible, the writers
- Understanding the story and characters, including reading the script
- Keeping within the production budget
- Running auditions
- Recommending actors
- Assisting with negotiation of contracts
- Helping actors understand their characters
Casting directors look for various qualities when deciding which actors suit particular roles. Allison Jones has said she looks for charming people – performers whom an audience will care about. They also seek actors who can withstand the pressures of the job, including long hours and frequent improvisation during demanding shooting schedules.
In the early stages of casting and extras casting, the process may be decentralised geographically, often aligning with shooting locations or tapping into local markets for an international co-production. For top roles whose attachment has major commercial importance, casting may follow personal channels, such as direct contact with the director. During the "attachment phase" of a film, a casting director sends copies of the script to agents for what is known as "coverage" — a one-page summary of the script with brief character descriptions. If an agency agrees to give coverage, it will submit a list of suggested actors who are available, suitable and within the film's price range. Casting directors also create their own idea lists and can "check avails" by contacting actor representatives to confirm availability and interest. If an idea from a casting director or agent is approved by the director, producers and financiers, the casting director sends an "offer" — a letter to the actor's representative explaining the role, providing a copy of the script, outlining the time commitment, approximate start date, filming location and proposed salary. If the actor declines, they respond with a "pass." If they accept, a deal memo is sent and negotiations between the agency and production finalise deal points before entertainment lawyers draw up the formal contracts. When a commitment is made early in development and specific shoot dates are not yet known, a Letter of Intent may be drafted to indicate that the actor will be hired for the role if the project is green-lit.
After the attachment phase, physical auditions begin for remaining roles. Depending on the film's budget, there may be "pre-reads" where an actor auditions only for a casting director. Successful candidates are then called back for a "callback" or a director/producer session, where they audition for the casting director, director and other decision-makers. In television, this phase is often called a "screen test" and network executives may attend. Once actors are selected, the same booking process used in the attachment phase applies; extras casting follows a separate procedure.
The resulting list of actors selected to portray characters in a production is called a cast list, which is incorporated into a production company's daily call sheet and is reflected in the project's title sequence for film and television.
Casting director workshops
Many casting directors and casting associates in the United States run casting director workshops. Practices vary, but typically aspiring actors pay to perform in front of a casting professional who provides feedback. Critics argue that casting directors are paid to find talent, not to be paid to see talent; supporters say workshops provide classroom-like feedback and networking opportunities.Because of their mixed reception, casting director workshops have sometimes been controversial. Former Criminal Minds casting director Scott David was dismissed after The Hollywood Reporter published a story about his pay-to-play workshops. In February 2017, five casting director workshops were charged with criminal offences for charging actors to audition for projects. In January 2018, casting director Lindsay Chag – known for films such as Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Dracula: Dead and Loving It — was convicted of violating the Talent Scam Prevention Act for her role in casting director workshops.