My advice to actors is to always research, as best you can, how each Casting Director likes to be contacted. We all have our own way of working.
I personally only wish to be contacted via email. It means I can read your email when I’m not busy and, if necessary, file your email to refer to when I’m looking at reels or searching for a particular character.
First and foremost, make sure you know who you are emailing. One of the most common mistakes is an actor emailing for representation. Casting Directors do not represent actors. If you’re looking for representation, then you need to contact a Talent Agent. For those of us casting for TV and Film, we do not cast extras.
As Casitng Directors receive a large number of emails, I have a few suggestions for actors to bear in mind:
Emails
Make sure the email is being sent to the address advertised, as this will be where Casting Directors will want to receive it. Make the message simple and concise. To elaborate for me; as I have a lot of emails to read, I respond better when emails are short and to the point. It’s also worth noting, I don’t need to be buttered up or have my ego massaged to read your message. I know actors email Casting Directors, so you don’t need to justify why you’re sending me the email.
And please, please don’t apologise for emailing me. I expect them. I don’t particularly need to know your life story or why you want to act, I just need your photo, a list of work you’ve done, and a link to a clip or reel of any screen work.
There is no need to check if an email has been received. If it hasn’t bounced back, then I have it.
Headshots
Only ever attach one small jpg of your headshot. I can pretty much get an idea of you from one image. If you have other images you want me to view, then refer me to your Spotlight profile or an online CV. Make sure your headshot is up to date and a true representation of you. I’m not looking for over stylised images, but the person who I will see when they walk in the room. Selfies should be avoided at all costs. Further advice from Casting Directors on headshots can be found here.
Showreels
If you have any clips or a reel of any work you’ve done for screen, make sure it is included on your email as a link to watch online (ie Spotlight, Vimeo, Youtube). Do not send as an attachment or as a link to download.
The main resource I use is Spotlight, and occasionally Casting Networks, so if you are a member of either/both, please ensure you have any examples of your work on your profile.
When thinking about your reel, please don’t include a montage. As I often say, I don’t care what you look like to music, I just want to see you act.
A little title of what production the clip is from is also handy (but not essential)
Further advice from Casting Directors on showreels can be found here.
Contact
Don’t email too much. People who tell you to constantly email Casting Directors to stay relevant are misadvising you. Our job is to remember names and faces. If you email too often it won't be seen as persistence or your commitment to the craft, it will become an annoyance. As previously mentioned, I will file emails of interest, so if I think you’re right for something I will bring you in when the right character comes up. Also if I’ve auditioned you, you will be on one of my many lists, and I will remember you for things you may be right for, so there is no need to remind me of who you are.
Invites
Please do send me invitations via email to any show you may be in, but as I am often out at the theatre or have a busy schedule, I may not be able to attend. If I or someone from my office are able to attend, we will respond, there is no need to send reminder emails.
And of course, if you’re in an upcoming series or film, send me an email letting me know, as I try to watch most things.
Generally, due to the sheer volume received, I don’t reply to many emails. So don’t be disheartened if you don’t hear from me; I may well be bringing you in for an audition one day.
Social Media
I believe we've all changed the frequency and ways in which we use social media, as it doesn't feel such an integral part of our day as it used to. However you'll find my profiles on Instagram, Threads and X (though not sure for how long on the latter).
As stated earlier in how to best contact me, please do not send your reels or invites to me on these platforms. It's not as useful as by email which can be filed and referred back to.
If you are interacting with Casting Directors on social media it’s worth considering that the following will unlikely get you noticed for the right reason: tagged in images that bare no relevance to them; tagged with a large number of people (as there’s a tendency of being indundated with multiple ‘reply alls’); unfollowing and then refollowing so you regularly appear in notifications.
Similarly to emailing a Casting Director too often, we remember names and faces, so it's finding the right balance of interaction on social media so that you're not remembered for the wrong reason.
Links to my social media accounts can be found on the contact page
Self tapes
Self tapes are being used much more regularly than before, especially since lockdown. I generally only use them when I’m pre-meeting a large number of performers for a role, for the first round, or if an actor is unable to make it to an audition due to their location or availability.
Please do not send me unrequested self tapes. I only use them for projects I’m casting, as I know the characters and what the scene should entail.
As there is often confusion about how best to shoot Self Tapes, please read the 'What Makes A Good Self Tape doc' on the CDG website.
You'll also find the Code of Best Practice for Self Tapes and Zoom Auditions which outlines the industry wide agreement created in 2021 between the Casting Director's Guild, Cooperative Personal Management Association, Equity and the Personal Managers Association for Scripted Drama.
Yes or No
I have always proactively given a Yes or No to actors on a shortlist or who have been recalled for a role. (As well as to actors who have auditioned who don't have an agent). I also give regular updates when the wait for an answer from Execs etc can take longer than expected. Since the Yes or No campaign, I have extended the answer to all actors who have self taped / met for a role at any stage of the process.
I use Tagmin's #YesNo tool for all my productions which allows agents and/or actors to track the casting status of the role they've met for. Answers and updates are given at each stage ie if there are any delays, when shortlists have been made on a role, when the role is cast etc. Please check with your agent or (if self represented) your emails as the link will be on the invite to self tape/audition.
Feedback
Feedback on auditions or self tapes for my projects will be relayed to agents, when requested. I'm more than happy to do so, as it’s an important part of the process. If we're busy, it may not be immediate, but it will given. If a performer doesn't have an agent, then we can feedback to them directly or a parent (if they are under 16) when requested. It's worth remembering that an actor not getting to the next stage / being cast is rarely because they've done something wrong, just that they haven't been selected this time.
Unrepresented Actors
I personally will audition (& have cast) actors who don’t have representation, and many other Casting Directors do too. The key thing is be seen, so audition for industry supported events such as Triforce's Monologue Slam (NB These paused during Covid, so we're hoping these will start again soon!), get involved with Fringe theatres nearby, look out for legitimate casting calls on social media etc. Please check the Casting Directors are legitimate before applying, and ensure the audition is set in a safe environment. If in any doubt, take someone with you. If you have a CV on Spotlight and/or Casting Networks you’ll receive breakdowns when they’re sent out to a global list.
If you've never acted, but you want to act, then the most important thing is to get some sort of practice in. There are local drama groups in every city and most towns, so research ones nearby, and see if you can get involved.
I personally only wish to be contacted via email. It means I can read your email when I’m not busy and, if necessary, file your email to refer to when I’m looking at reels or searching for a particular character.
First and foremost, make sure you know who you are emailing. One of the most common mistakes is an actor emailing for representation. Casting Directors do not represent actors. If you’re looking for representation, then you need to contact a Talent Agent. For those of us casting for TV and Film, we do not cast extras.
As Casitng Directors receive a large number of emails, I have a few suggestions for actors to bear in mind:
Emails
Make sure the email is being sent to the address advertised, as this will be where Casting Directors will want to receive it. Make the message simple and concise. To elaborate for me; as I have a lot of emails to read, I respond better when emails are short and to the point. It’s also worth noting, I don’t need to be buttered up or have my ego massaged to read your message. I know actors email Casting Directors, so you don’t need to justify why you’re sending me the email.
And please, please don’t apologise for emailing me. I expect them. I don’t particularly need to know your life story or why you want to act, I just need your photo, a list of work you’ve done, and a link to a clip or reel of any screen work.
There is no need to check if an email has been received. If it hasn’t bounced back, then I have it.
Headshots
Only ever attach one small jpg of your headshot. I can pretty much get an idea of you from one image. If you have other images you want me to view, then refer me to your Spotlight profile or an online CV. Make sure your headshot is up to date and a true representation of you. I’m not looking for over stylised images, but the person who I will see when they walk in the room. Selfies should be avoided at all costs. Further advice from Casting Directors on headshots can be found here.
Showreels
If you have any clips or a reel of any work you’ve done for screen, make sure it is included on your email as a link to watch online (ie Spotlight, Vimeo, Youtube). Do not send as an attachment or as a link to download.
The main resource I use is Spotlight, and occasionally Casting Networks, so if you are a member of either/both, please ensure you have any examples of your work on your profile.
When thinking about your reel, please don’t include a montage. As I often say, I don’t care what you look like to music, I just want to see you act.
A little title of what production the clip is from is also handy (but not essential)
Further advice from Casting Directors on showreels can be found here.
Contact
Don’t email too much. People who tell you to constantly email Casting Directors to stay relevant are misadvising you. Our job is to remember names and faces. If you email too often it won't be seen as persistence or your commitment to the craft, it will become an annoyance. As previously mentioned, I will file emails of interest, so if I think you’re right for something I will bring you in when the right character comes up. Also if I’ve auditioned you, you will be on one of my many lists, and I will remember you for things you may be right for, so there is no need to remind me of who you are.
Invites
Please do send me invitations via email to any show you may be in, but as I am often out at the theatre or have a busy schedule, I may not be able to attend. If I or someone from my office are able to attend, we will respond, there is no need to send reminder emails.
And of course, if you’re in an upcoming series or film, send me an email letting me know, as I try to watch most things.
Generally, due to the sheer volume received, I don’t reply to many emails. So don’t be disheartened if you don’t hear from me; I may well be bringing you in for an audition one day.
Social Media
I believe we've all changed the frequency and ways in which we use social media, as it doesn't feel such an integral part of our day as it used to. However you'll find my profiles on Instagram, Threads and X (though not sure for how long on the latter).
As stated earlier in how to best contact me, please do not send your reels or invites to me on these platforms. It's not as useful as by email which can be filed and referred back to.
If you are interacting with Casting Directors on social media it’s worth considering that the following will unlikely get you noticed for the right reason: tagged in images that bare no relevance to them; tagged with a large number of people (as there’s a tendency of being indundated with multiple ‘reply alls’); unfollowing and then refollowing so you regularly appear in notifications.
Similarly to emailing a Casting Director too often, we remember names and faces, so it's finding the right balance of interaction on social media so that you're not remembered for the wrong reason.
Links to my social media accounts can be found on the contact page
Self tapes
Self tapes are being used much more regularly than before, especially since lockdown. I generally only use them when I’m pre-meeting a large number of performers for a role, for the first round, or if an actor is unable to make it to an audition due to their location or availability.
Please do not send me unrequested self tapes. I only use them for projects I’m casting, as I know the characters and what the scene should entail.
As there is often confusion about how best to shoot Self Tapes, please read the 'What Makes A Good Self Tape doc' on the CDG website.
You'll also find the Code of Best Practice for Self Tapes and Zoom Auditions which outlines the industry wide agreement created in 2021 between the Casting Director's Guild, Cooperative Personal Management Association, Equity and the Personal Managers Association for Scripted Drama.
Yes or No
I have always proactively given a Yes or No to actors on a shortlist or who have been recalled for a role. (As well as to actors who have auditioned who don't have an agent). I also give regular updates when the wait for an answer from Execs etc can take longer than expected. Since the Yes or No campaign, I have extended the answer to all actors who have self taped / met for a role at any stage of the process.
I use Tagmin's #YesNo tool for all my productions which allows agents and/or actors to track the casting status of the role they've met for. Answers and updates are given at each stage ie if there are any delays, when shortlists have been made on a role, when the role is cast etc. Please check with your agent or (if self represented) your emails as the link will be on the invite to self tape/audition.
Feedback
Feedback on auditions or self tapes for my projects will be relayed to agents, when requested. I'm more than happy to do so, as it’s an important part of the process. If we're busy, it may not be immediate, but it will given. If a performer doesn't have an agent, then we can feedback to them directly or a parent (if they are under 16) when requested. It's worth remembering that an actor not getting to the next stage / being cast is rarely because they've done something wrong, just that they haven't been selected this time.
Unrepresented Actors
I personally will audition (& have cast) actors who don’t have representation, and many other Casting Directors do too. The key thing is be seen, so audition for industry supported events such as Triforce's Monologue Slam (NB These paused during Covid, so we're hoping these will start again soon!), get involved with Fringe theatres nearby, look out for legitimate casting calls on social media etc. Please check the Casting Directors are legitimate before applying, and ensure the audition is set in a safe environment. If in any doubt, take someone with you. If you have a CV on Spotlight and/or Casting Networks you’ll receive breakdowns when they’re sent out to a global list.
If you've never acted, but you want to act, then the most important thing is to get some sort of practice in. There are local drama groups in every city and most towns, so research ones nearby, and see if you can get involved.