If you’re developing a short film project, you may be wondering where to hire actors for it. Lucky for you, InnoVision Talent & Casting (ITC) has expertise in this area of casting and can help with some tips and tricks. You have several options when it comes to casting your short film project. We’ll walk you through the ins and outs of each of them so you can decide the best way to find actors to bring your short film to life.
Casting Websites
First, you’ll need to decide whether you want to hold open auditions or invite-only auditions. Then you can place a casting notice on casting websites like Backstage, Mandy, or Actors Access with a character breakdown of the roles you’re casting.
Open vs. Invite-Only Auditions
If you’re holding open auditions, you should include the date, time, and location of the audition in the casting notice. Typically, auditions are held in a private space, like a rented studio. At an open audition, actors can show up at any time during the hours the audition is being held. They will place their name on a sign-in sheet once they arrive and be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.
At the open call, you’ll collect a headshot and resume from each actor with their contact information. You could also have them fill out an information sheet to gather additional details, such as their measurements and availability for the shoot dates.
Another option is to hold an invite-only audition. You would post your casting notice and have people submit themselves for a specific role. They would provide you with a digital version of their headshot and resume along with a reel of their prior work. You can view each submission and decide who you’re interested in calling in for an audition. You would then invite them in to audition for a specific role.
Other Considerations
Regardless of whether you hold an open or invite-only audition, be sure to let the actors know what to prepare beforehand. For instance, let them know if you will have scripts available for them to read from at the audition or if they should prepare their own material. Give the actors as much information as possible prior to the audition so they are prepared for what is expected of them.
In some cases, you may want to hold callbacks for your short film. At a callback, you would invite actors you are interested in to come back for a second audition. Typically, actors take turns reading with each other at a callback. This allows you to see how they interact with one another and who has the right chemistry together.
You may also want to give the actors adjustments to determine how well they take direction. Since you’re calling back fewer actors, you’ll likely have more time to spend with each of them. This gives you a better sense of which actors may be right for your film and will help you finalize your casting decisions.
Agencies
You can also contact talent agencies directly about your short film project. Provide them with the character breakdown and ask if they have anyone they feel would be right for the role. If they do, you can call them in for an audition.
If you go this route, you may need to contact multiple agencies. Some agencies, for instance, will not represent actors who are considered the same type because they do not want their clients competing against one another for the same jobs.
Some agencies may also represent only a handful of actors. For instance, a boutique agency may represent fewer than 100 actors. Depending on who they represent and the roles you’re looking to cast, you may have to work with several agencies to find the best actors for your short film project.
Talent Rosters
What if there was a way to eliminate the middleman and hire talent directly? Sure, you can communicate your talent needs to an agency, but you have to rely on that other person to really understand what you’re looking for and find the right talent for your project. Why trust someone else with a job you can do yourself?
InnoVision Talent & Casting puts you in the driver’s seat instead. When you work with us, you’re in control of casting your own project. You can select talent directly by going through our talent roster. After all, who better than you to know which actors are the best choice for each role?
It’s simple to get started. All you have to do is check out ITC’s online talent roster. You can take a look at our diverse group of both experienced and emerging talent by viewing each actor’s headshot and resume.
Have a difficult role to cast? We can also assist you if you’re looking for someone who is outside the box and or has a unique talent. We pride ourselves on representing people from all walks of life who are reflective of the diverse world around us.
Our inclusive roster is made up of artists from linguistically diverse backgrounds and cultures. If you’re looking to cast someone from an underrepresented group, ITC is the agency for you. We love to find a hidden talent that challenges the status quo.
Ready to hire actors for your short film project? Get in touch with us. Whatever the role, we’re ready to help you find the perfect person to play the part.