Acting Classes In Perth - Blog #002
Channel: actingclassesinperth
Date: 2012-08-15

Blog: http://www.actingclassesinperthblog.com/02-casting-directors-vs-casting-agents.html

Beginner Acting Course: http://www.actingclassesinperth.com/beginners-course.html


BLOG #02: Casting Directors VS Casting Agents

Hi and welcome to session number two of the Acting Classes In Perth Blog, I'm Loren, and this session, we explore the difference between casting directors and casting agents

The team at Acting Classes In Perth receive around 280 emails on an average day, now I would make a quick assumption that around four to eight of those emails include some incorrect reference to casting directors or casting agents, so lets put things straight.    

What is a Casting Director...? 
A Casting Director is not, let me say that again, is NOT someone who represents you or helps you find work. A casting Director is part of the film production team or in the event of a TVC (TV Commercial) a Casting Director is hired by the advertising agency on behalf of the client. Their job is to contact Casting Agents (we'll get to them soon) and ask for casting agents to submit a list of potential actors who may suit the roles available. The Casting Director will then audition a selected number of actors for each role. At the end of the audition the Casting Director will make a copy of all the auditions onto a DVD and give them to the director, producers or advertising agent (it depends on the type of project). A Casting Director does not choose who gets the role. Let me say that again, the Casting Director does not choose who gets the role. Do not contact a Casting Director and ask to be on their books, they DO NOT have books because they do not represent actors. 

What is a Casting Agent...? 
A Casting Agent is someone who represents you the actor and helps you find work while also negotiating for the best rates and working conditions. Their are only a handful of reputable Casting Agents in Perth (I'm not going to list them here because I don't want them to be harassed). If you were to do one of our courses, we do suggest what agent or agents you should approach, but if I mention the agents in this blog, they will not be happy, and I don't want every man and his dog contacting them.   So I can hear you asking... "Well how do I get on the books of a casting agent". Most of the Casting Agents in Perth will require you to prepare two monologues and audition for them at their office. Please remember that Casting Agents represent a lot of people and there is not always much room on their books for everyone. (I think I will do a future post on how you can increase your chances of landing a Casting Agents in the future too by the way). If you don't get accepted, please remember it isn't the end of the world, and all it means is you need to continue to studying your acting and start looking for local short films that require actors. Now most of these roles are unpaid, but they are a great way for you to get your foot in the door and gain some experience. You also need to remember the student film makers of today are the industry directors and producers of tomorrow. If you have not done many acting classes I would suggest you consider doing a beginners acting course before contacting a casting agent. They have many people contact them and they will want to know what you have done already.

Until next time, stay safe and as always - happy acting.