ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 1 month ago - Paul DuBois

The answer might be to lose the visual concept and go for talent. I have seen and been privy to conversations where directors/writers/producers have been so prescriptive to the casting brief that they have wanted height/weight/hair colour/hair length/eye colour to match and be correct to their imagined character that actors have been unconsidered before they auditioned very talented people. Or worse, had actors audition and then found some minor physical reason to not offer them the part.

Acting, and especially in film, is a collaborative medium. Lose the narrow requirements, even consider casting against the brief (consider possibilities of gender, nationality/race and even age). This can open you up to a world of possibilities.

Or if that doesn't appeal to you: pay to run an advert on Spotlight. All best for the project.

11 years, 1 month ago - Stephen Atkins

One of the worst things for me as an actor is getting asked to play a role like some other actor in some other film - it means the director knows exactly what they want and that I'm unlikely to ever meet their expectation. Worse, it means that I will have little or no input into building the character. Human beings are all unique. Given the same background, the same circumstances and the same words they'll still be unique. You need to open your mind to alternative interpretations of the script and accept that they may be equally valid. Otherwise we'd still be watching actors trying to imitate Laurence Oliver at the RSC.

11 years, 1 month ago - Marlom Tander

Some people live outside London. Spread your net?

11 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Tweak the script? Be less picky?

You can also get in touch with casting agents and pay a fee, but they will only find paid cast usually.

11 years, 1 month ago - Mark Jacobs

Spotlight it has better actors. Many of them wont even entertain Starnow or CCP. 90% of UK castings are done via Spotlight.

11 years, 1 month ago - Jill Stanford

Have you seen the work of Simon Carroll Jones. He is the most wonderful physical actor in film and theatre.

11 years, 1 month ago - Naqqash Khalid

I've tried London/Manchester. Due to finances we can only afford expenses around those two areas. That's the challenge!

11 years, 1 month ago - D. James Newton

Have you emailed Agents with the casting breakdown? That's the first place I usually start. Even if it's low/no budget you will still find agents respond with suitable candidates.

11 years, 1 month ago - Marlom Tander

I have to agree with Paul. As a writer who attended a casting I was surprised when people walked in and they were instantly right for a part, even though they didn't look like the guy I imagined.

It's how people carry themselves and move that really have impact.

11 years, 1 month ago - Cathy Conneff

Spotlight.com? It is the one which most professional actors are registered with and is a little harder to qualify for than CCP and Starnow.

11 years, 1 month ago - Vanessa Bailey

I agree with Paul and Paddy - you need to see actors who are great actors, not limit yourself by their physicality. All good actors can convey a character through their physical demeanour. But you may miss out on amazing talent if you are too locked into your original vision. Look at showreels and think "Can I turn this on it's head, will it work going against type?" That's exciting! When I've cast in the past I've just brough in exciting talent and asked them to show me their take on the character. A good actor will bring fresh ideas and inspiration to the table :) Always cast someone that leaps out at you from the screen, that's more important than anything else :) Spotlight, Casting Call Pro, Talent Circle, Mandy and yes, keep trying Star Now. I used to be on Star Now in the very early days before I had an agent. Good luck!

11 years, 1 month ago - Andrew Morgan

Don't be limited to your preconceptions about the character - try casting against type. Whenever I cast I always have a diverse range of talent in for the auditions since often you'll find magic in an actor you wouldn't have considered from their head-shots or demo reels.

May I ask how many actors you've actually auditioned for the part?