Kim Williams’ nephews, who are in college, recently started watching the ’90s sitcom “Martin” and raved about it to their father — how funny it was, how great the characters were and how great the cast was.
“My brother’s standing there, waiting for them to finish, and then he’s like, ‘You know your aunt cast that, right?’” Williams said.
She laughed. “They pull it up onscreen and go to the credits, and they’re like, ‘Wait, she cast this?’”
“Martin,” which premiered in 1992, was the very first pilot that Williams, now the president of the Casting Society, cast on her own. She knew Martin Lawrence, and when her boss at HBO asked if she’d be interested in casting his show, she was thrilled. Advertisement
She said the role of Pam was the one her team struggled the most to cast. They saw a lot of people, and no one felt right. Tichina Arnold wasn’t initially available to audition because she was out of town. But one Saturday, Williams was grabbing lunch at the original Johnny Rockets location on Melrose Avenue, and she saw Arnold sitting at the counter.
Williams walked over to her and introduced herself. Turned out Arnold’s schedule had changed and she happened to be back in Los Angeles.
Have you ever imagined yourself behind the scenes on a TV show or movie, finding new talent and hiring actors? Does helping shape the cast of a production sound like your dream job? If so, you might have what it takes to become a casting director.
As someone who spent years acting in local theater, I was always fascinated by the casting process. I loved imagining myself on the other side of the audition table, discovering fresh new faces and putting together creative teams. The more research I did into casting, the more convinced I was that this fast-paced, collaborative role could be an ideal fit for me.
Of course, like any desirable career in the entertainment industry, casting director isn’t an easy field to break into But with the right combination of skills, experience, connections, and persistence, it’s certainly possible to get your foot in the door Here’s my guide to how to become a casting director, based on my own journey plus insights from industry pros.
What Does a Casting Director Do?
Before we get into how to pursue this profession, let’s look at what exactly casting directors do on a daily basis.
A casting director’s core responsibility is finding the on-camera talent for productions like films, TV shows, commercials, web series, theater, and more. This involves tasks like:
- Holding open casting calls to discover new talent
- Running auditions and callbacks
- Working closely with directors and producers to understand their vision
- Making recommendations on which actors to cast
- Negotiating deals with actors’ agents
Casting requires a mix of instinct, interpersonal skills, and management ability. You’re constantly interacting with agents, actors, and production team members. Key qualities for success include having an eye for talent, strong communication abilities, and unwavering professionalism.
While casting directors always focus on finding on-camera talent, their day-to-day work varies based on the type of production.
For theater productions, they may hold numerous open calls and callbacks before deciding on a small cast. TV and web shows often have recurring roles to fill across multiple episodes or seasons. Big budget films have fewer but more prominent roles, requiring global casting searches. Commercials and music videos typically have quick turnarounds.
No matter the project, skilled casting pros need to keep tabs on emerging talent while having expansive networks to fill any role Persistence and creativity are musts.
Now that you know more about the casting process, let’s look at how to turn this knowledge into a career.
Skills You’ll Need as a Casting Director
To succeed as a casting director, certain soft and hard skills are a must. Here are some of the key abilities required in this fast-paced role:
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An eye for talent: This may seem obvious, but being able to spot a star is crucial. You should have an instinct for seeing how actors will translate on screen and envisioning them in different roles. The more exposure you have watching actors at work, the more you’ll cultivate this.
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Interpersonal skills: From making small talk at open calls to diplomatically resolving disputes, casting requires top-notch people skills. You’ll constantly collaborate with directors, producers, agents, managers and actors. Being able to communicate clearly and read people is key.
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Organizational skills: Keeping track of thousands of headshots and resumes, coordinating callbacks, negotiating contracts—casting involves serious logistics. You need to juggle many moving parts without dropping the ball. Staying on top of paperwork and budgets is a must.
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Industry knowledge: Understanding how productions work, union regulations, and trends in acting is crucial background knowledge. Success requires keeping a pulse on the needs and realities of the entertainment industry.
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Patience and persistence: The ability to handle rejection and push past obstacles is important in any entertainment career, including casting. With so many variables and personalities involved, patience pays off.
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Business savvy: While casting has a creative side, handling the deal-making aspects also requires business acumen. You’ll constantly negotiate with agents over contracts and budgets. Familiarity with numbers and the law gives you an edge.
The good news is that many of these skills can be developed with time and experience. Next we’ll look at gaining the right background to excel as a casting pro.
Getting the Necessary Education and Experience
When it comes to qualifying for a casting director job, there’s no single career path or educational background required. However, certain types of training and work experience can help tremendously.
Here are some of the best ways to build up your knowledge base for a casting career:
Complete a college program related to the performing arts or entertainment industry.
Taking courses in theater, film, acting, directing, or media studies helps you understand on-camera work from a performer’s perspective. Programs at LA institutions like UCLA or USC can provide networking opportunities. However, related coursework at any school is beneficial.
Get hands-on entertainment industry experience.
Pursue internships or entry-level jobs at talent agencies, casting offices, or production companies to gain insider knowledge. You could work your way up at a casting office, or come in with producer experience. Exposure to the business side is a plus.
Take acting classes yourself.
As a casting director, you need to be able to coach and communicate with actors in their language. Take acting and improv classes to get familiar with this world. Community theater experience also looks great on a resume.
Consider getting a Master’s degree in fine arts (MFA).
Several top universities like Yale offer specialized MFA programs in casting. While not required, an MFA gives you advanced training in audition techniques and directing actors.
Join organizations like the Casting Society of America.
Industry groups like CSA allow members to network, attend workshops, and keep on top of trends. Joining as an associate is a smart move.
In addition to education and experience, there are other proactive steps you can take to prepare for a casting career. Doing informational interviews with working pros, assembling a portfolio reel, and learning your way around casting software are all great moves.
We’ll get into specific roles to pursue next.
Landing Those Important First Jobs in Casting
Generally, there are two common paths into a casting directing career: working your way up at a casting office, or coming in with existing industry experience.
Here are some typical entry-level casting jobs that can lead to bigger roles:
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Casting assistant – Support casting directors by coordinating auditions, handling submissions, running camera during callbacks, taking notes and more.
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Casting associate – Take on more responsibilities like running initial auditions and providing feedback to actors. Associates may also specialize in certain types of casting like voiceover or background roles.
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Casting coordinator – Help out with administrative aspects of casting like preparing contracts, making travel arrangements and crew deals.
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Casting director intern – Interns get hands-on experience supporting a casting office and may get promoted from there. Look for internships at entertainment companies or through university programs.
These junior roles allow you to learn the ins and outs of real-world casting under the wing of experienced directors. Paying your dues provides networking opportunities that will serve you well down the road.
Producers or directors with connections may also get the chance to cast projects after establishing their abilities. For instance, a producer on an indie film may recommend a casting director they’ve worked with before. Actors sometimes even make the transition into casting.
But breaking in as an unknown is very challenging without the relevant work experience. Expect to spend years making connections and learning the ropes in support roles before going out as a lead casting director. Patience and persistence are key.
Important Tips for Acing the Casting Job Interview
As a highly desirable entertainment career, casting has a competitive interview process. Here are a few of my top tips for excelling in a casting director job interview:
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Highlight your interpersonal skills. Playing up your people abilities is crucial, since casting is such a collaborative role. Share examples of resolving conflicts and building rapport.
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Talk about your industry contacts. Namedrop any notable agents, managers or acting coaches you have relationships with. Your network is a huge asset.
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Discuss actors who impress you. Share smart opinions about up-and-coming talent you’re excited about to show your eye for talent.
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Explain why you’re passionate about casting. Is it the thrill of discovering fresh faces? The matchmaker aspect? Take the time to thoughtfully explain your motivation.
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Providecasting suggestions. If asked for a mock “callback,” have some innovative casting ideas ready to showcase your abilities.
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Ask insightful questions. Queries about typical career trajectories and how the company nurtures talent show your initiative.
With preparation and persistence, you can wow potential employers with your casting knowledge and interpersonal savvy. Now let’s look at skills that will keep your career thriving.
Ongoing Education to Succeed as a Casting Director
Casting is a field where you constantly need to keep your skills sharp and expand your networks
How is this career different than it was 10 or 25 years ago?
When she started, Daniels said, there were VHS tapes, hard copies of headshots and lots of mail crates. Advertisement
“Now that everything’s online, it’s a lot easier, but I think there’s also an expectation that things can happen immediately,” she said, “which sort of undermines the process.”
The pandemic also shifted auditions from in-person to self-tapes and, for actors who make the first cuts, Zoom callbacks — which was an adjustment but also gave more actors an opportunity to compete for a role.
There are also more international searches nowadays, said Duffy, as productions aim to appeal to global audiences. “Since there are a lot more people to look through, it’s tough on casting,” he said. “They’re inundated.”
Ropiequet agreed that the workload has gone up. “But I think it’s good in the long run, in terms of what we’re able to accomplish and how many more people we’re able to see,” he said.
He expects that moving forward, there will be a hybrid of in-person, self-taped and Zoom auditions.
“There’s something about being able to just do it in the room, have that energy and feel that back-and-forth with an actor,” said Ropiequet. “And also just giving a note off the cuff and saying, ‘All right, let’s do it again.’ … Zoom callbacks are helpful for that, but it’s still not quite the same in terms of the end result and the actual feeling of an audition.” Advertisement
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How do you make money? (And what kind of money?)
Casting assistants are not covered by the union contract, and they often earn close to minimum wage, depending on the project, said Duffy. They get a rate similar to what production assistants make.
Once you become a casting associate, you’re represented by Teamsters Local 399 Hollywood. You won’t need any credits or hours worked in casting to join the union, he said, but it often doesn’t make sense to join until you get hired as a casting associate.
The minimum rate for TV casting associates is $1,330 a week — $19 per hour based on a 60-hour work week.
Other rates — for casting directors in feature films or TV — are generally higher and negotiable, Duffy said.
“It’s all over the map, depending on the budget and how much work you do,” he said. Those who are more prominent and in-demand typically negotiate for more.
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How do I become a casting director?
Many casting directors start their career in an entry-level role, such as casting assistant, apprentice, or intern. A bachelor’s degree in business or film production can help increase opportunities to find work. A casting director needs excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Is a casting director a talent agent?
Casting directors are the ones who scour the large talent pool of actors, looking for the best recommendations to present to the project’s main decision-makers. They are not agents. The term “casting agent,” which is often misused by people outside of the industry, confuses the role of a casting director with the role of a talent agent.
What does a casting professional do?
An experienced entertainment professional with a specialized background working in casting. My day to day includes helping to oversee casting for multiple scripted television shows while also collaborating with casting directors, producers, and various departments across our studio.
