Acting and the Casting Process
August 19, 2010 by Improv Site
Filed under acting methods
What exactly is the acting process and how does it affect you personally as an actor or actress? The casting process is more important than you might think and understanding how it works could mean the difference between winning and losing a potential job.
The casting process is when producers have a script and they are gathering together the original cast for a movie or new television show. This process is also used to add a new character to a show. The easiest way to describe how this process works is by explaining how a new actor would be added to a show. Here are the basic steps for doing this.
The producers will inform the casting director of their decision to add a new person to the show. The casting director will inform the agents they work with about the search for a new performer and give them a description of what they are searching for. The agents will review the information and send them photo shots of anyone they feel would be good for the part. At this point, the casting director will need to go through all the photos to try and narrow it down to one person.
Normally, they will look at the photos and if they see one that captures their attention they will look closer at the attached resume. Now you can get an idea of just how important your photo shots can be. Next, they will narrow the search even more by going through the resumes (attached to the photos they liked best) and choosing the ones best suited for the part. The casting director will choose twenty or so applicants and contact their agent to set up auditions. It’s important to realize that without a great photo shot and resume you won’t get many opportunities to show off your acting skills. These two things are vital to your success.
Now comes the crazy part of the casting process. You’ve made it to the audition and everything is going well so your confidence is building. You may even be called back for a second audition and you think the job is guaranteed but then the slightest little thing will change. Perhaps the producers decided not to add the character after all or maybe they want someone totally different from what they originally wanted and you don’t get the part.
It has nothing to do with you, your talent or anything that you could control. They simply changed their minds. This causes many potential actors and actresses to give up. They think they did something wrong and start thinking that if they had done something differently they would have landed the job. You need to realize that many times the decision has nothing to do with you at all. When you know and understand this, you can keep your self-esteem and confidence in check. You will know that these things happen and you can’t control them. You simply have to wait for your next opportunity and try again.
The casting process is one of the key factors in making or breaking a career and the main reason why you can’t take things personally in the acting business. There are no guarantees and disappointments are part of the job. The best advice is to always be prepared, do your best and never give up. Your big chance will come along.
