{{Redirect|Starring role|the Marina and the Diamonds song|Electra Heart}}{{Short description|Selection of actors or performers for a role}} {{use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{use American English|date=November 2022}} {{Filmmaking sidebar|expanded=Pre-production}} [[File:Casting Cats.jpg|thumb|Casting call for black cats, Los Angeles, 1961; seeking cats for ''Tales of Terror'']]
In the performing arts industry such as theatre, film, or television, '''casting''', or a '''casting call''', is a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor, dancer, singer, or extra to land the role of a character in a script, screenplay, or teleplay. This process may be used for a motion picture, television program, documentary film, music video, play, or advertisement intended for an audience.
==Cast types or roles== Actors are selected to play various types of roles. A main cast comprises several actors whose appearances are significant in film, theatre, or television. Their roles are often called starring roles. Within a main cast, there is often a male or female lead who plays the largest role, that of the protagonist in a production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lead_10 |title=lead noun (ACTOR) – definition in the British English Dictionary & Thesaurus |publisher=Cambridge Dictionaries Online |date=2014-04-28 |access-date=2014-05-15}}</ref> When there is no singular lead, the main roles are referred to collectively as an ensemble cast, which comprises several principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal screen time.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ik9sleNg10kC&pg=PA112|title=Character design for graphic novels|author=Steven Withrow|author2=Alexander Danner|year=2007|publisher=Focal Press/Rotovision|page=112|access-date=2009-09-05|isbn=9780240809021}}</ref> A supporting actor is one with a role that is important to a play or film, but less so than that of the leading actors. A supporting role is more important than a bit part, which involves direct interaction with the principal actors but no more than five lines of dialogue, often referred to as a "five-or-less" or "under-five" in the United States, or "under-sixes" in British television. When a well-known actor or other celebrity appears in a bit part, it is sometimes called a cameo appearance.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
==Casting process== The casting process involves a series of auditions before a casting panel, composed of individuals within a production. Usually, in nearly all areas of show business, a casting director<ref>{{cite web |date=Apr 29, 2017 |title=What Does a Casting Director Do? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-mcclanaghan/what-does-a-casting-direc_b_9799558.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526020009/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-mcclanaghan/what-does-a-casting-direc_b_9799558.html |archive-date=May 26, 2017 |access-date=May 21, 2017 |website=Huffington Post}}</ref> is on this panel, and depending on the type of production it may include a theatrical producer and theater director, a television producer, a film producer and film director, or choreographer. In the early stages of this process performers often may present or are presented with prepared ''audition pieces'' such as monologues, songs, choreography, scripts or sides.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sides|url=http://dictionary.tdf.org/sides/|date=Feb 25, 2015|publisher=Theatre Development Fund|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517122705/http://dictionary.tdf.org/sides/|archive-date=May 17, 2017}}</ref>
These audition pieces are usually videotaped, typically in the form of screen tests and then attached with resumes<ref>{{cite web|title=How do I add my resume and more information about myself?|url=https://www.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?proaddresume|date=May 21, 2017|website=IMDb|access-date=May 21, 2017}}</ref> and head shots, then shared with producers, directors, or studio executives. Later stages may involve groups of actors—both union (SAG-AFTRA) and non-union, depending on the size and scope of the production—attempting to read material from the work under consideration, paired up with other actors. With each actor's overall motivational choices evaluated, the casting panel considers both the individual actors and the chemistry created from combinations of them participating in a read-through.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
Casting calls may go out into the general public at large, sometimes referred to as a "cattle call" (a U.S. term<ref>{{cite web | title=Cattle call definition and meaning | website=Collins English Dictionary | date=16 November 2022 | url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/cattle-call | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref>), or open audition, in which hundreds or even thousands of performers compete for a number of roles.<ref>{{cite web | title=What are Cattle Calls?| first=Michael| last= Pollick | website=WiseTour | date=12 October 2022 | url=http://www.wisetour.com/what-are-cattle-calls.htm | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref>
Casting character breakdowns,<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Write a Casting Notice|url=https://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/how-to-write-a-casting-call/481|date=April 2, 2013|publisher=Lights Film School|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321022431/http://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/how-to-write-a-casting-call/481/|archive-date=March 21, 2016}}</ref> not to be confused with script breakdowns,<ref>{{cite web|title=Script Breakdown 101|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMep2s_T89c|date=Feb 18, 2016|publisher=YouTube|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225024006/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMep2s_T89c|archive-date=December 25, 2016}}</ref> are often provided by production agents who submit their clients to casting, which provides a brief summary of character (age, gender, race or ethnicity, situations they may be involved in).
Well-known actors or actresses have an advantage when it comes to landing roles. An actor may go through several casting calls before receiving a part, and even though well-known actors or actresses often still go through this very necessary process, some are privileged enough to have well-known writers, screenwriters, directors or producers pitch a project for their intent to be cast in a role. By the time some casting directors finish reading a script they may already have ideas about which actors might be right for the roles.<ref name=":0" />
==Casting director== For major productions, the process of selecting actors for sometimes hundreds of speaking parts and roles often requires specialized staff. While the final decision remains with those in charge – such as the director, producer, artistic departments, and the overall production team – a '''casting director''' (or CD)<ref>{{cite web|title=Twinkie Byrd – Casting in the 21st Century|url=https://socialbilitty.com/2017/03/twinkie-byrd-casting-in-the-21st-century/|date=March 24, 2017|publisher=Socialbilitty|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214074029/https://socialbilitty.com/2017/03/twinkie-byrd-casting-in-the-21st-century/|archive-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> is responsible for most of the day-to-day work involved in this process during pre-production. A casting director is often assisted by a casting associate; productions with large numbers of extras may also employ an extras casting director. In the production budget, casting personnel are considered part of the above-the-line staff and typically answer to the director.<ref>{{cite book|title=Job Descriptions for Film, Video & Cgi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gv8MAAAACAAJ|date=May 21, 2017|access-date=May 21, 2017|isbn = 9780935873023|last1 = Hines|first1 = William E.| publisher=Ed-Venture Films/Books }}</ref>
Most films use either a casting agency or a casting director to find actors to match roles in the film, apart from the lead actors, who are often chosen directly by directors and producers.<ref name=ff>{{cite web | title=How casting agencies work and how they makes money | website=Filmmakers Fans | date=26 January 2017 | url=http://filmmakersfans.com/casting-agencies-work-makes-money/ | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> The job of a casting director is to know a wide range of actors so they can advise and present the best available talent to the director. Casting directors are highly influential and are usually engaged because the director trusts their judgement; they often control which actors the director actually sees.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Audition : everything an actor needs to know to get the part| last=Michael |first=Shurtleff| date=1980|orig-year=1978|publisher=Bantam Books|isbn=0553272950|edition=Bantam |location=New York|oclc=47813908}}</ref>
'''Casting companies''' are independent organisations that liaise between performers and directors or producers. They maintain detailed knowledge of actors on their books and are responsible for proposing suitable candidates to match roles described by producers and directors. The company compiles lists and conducts interviews; selected candidates then attend auditions. If a producer selects one or more actors, the casting professionals negotiate contracts and fees.<ref>{{cite web | title=What does a casting agency do? Why should you use one? | website=We've Got Talent | date=13 July 2021 | url=https://www.wevegottalent.co.uk/what-does-a-casting-agency-do/ | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> Casting professionals must assess many performers and reduce a large pool to a manageable shortlist for producers' consideration.<ref>{{cite web | title=South Australia's leading Actors Agency | website=Casting Process | url=https://www.actorsink.com.au/casting/casting-process/ | access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> They may also represent actors, but not necessarily.<ref>{{cite web | title=Casting Office v. Casting Agency | website=The Forge | date=28 September 2021 | url=https://www.theforgechi.com/post/casting-office-v-casting-agency | access-date=16 November 2022 | archive-date=June 16, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616060000/https://www.theforgechi.com/post/casting-office-v-casting-agency | url-status=dead }}</ref>
The role of the casting director may include the following:<ref name=ff/> * Maintaining a list of actors (including availability details, headshots and videos) and getting to know them * Meeting the film's director and, where possible, the writers * Understanding the story and characters, including reading the script * Keeping within the production budget * Running auditions * Recommending actors * Assisting with negotiation of contracts (often handled by the actor's agent) * Helping actors understand their characters
The casting director acts as a liaison between the director, actors and their agents/managers, and the studio or network to ensure that the characters in the script are cast appropriately.<ref name=imdbcd>{{cite web | title=Movie Terminology Glossary – C | website=IMDb | date=23 May 2000 | url=http://www.imdb.com/glossary/C#casting | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123073720/http://www.imdb.com/glossary/C#casting | archive-date=23 November 2017 | url-status=dead | access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref> Some casting directors, including Marion Dougherty, Mary Jo Slater, Mary Selway, Lynn Stalmaster, April Webster, Robert J. Ulrich, Tammara Billik, Marci Liroff, Avy Kaufman, Mindy Marin, Robi Reed, and Allison Jones, have become notable for their work on numerous Hollywood productions, .<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=2015-03-30 |title=Allison Jones, Nerd Hunter |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/04/06/the-nerd-hunter |access-date=2023-04-02 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US}}</ref>
Casting directors look for various qualities when deciding which actors suit particular roles. Allison Jones has said she looks for charming people – performers whom an audience will care about.<ref name=":0" /> They also seek actors who can withstand the pressures of the job, including long hours and frequent improvisation during demanding shooting schedules.<ref name=":0" />
In the early stages of casting and extras casting, the process may be decentralised geographically, often aligning with shooting locations or tapping into local markets for an international co-production. For top roles whose attachment has major commercial importance, casting may follow personal channels, such as direct contact with the director. During the "attachment phase" of a film, a casting director sends copies of the script to agents for what is known as "coverage" — a one-page summary of the script with brief character descriptions. If an agency agrees to give coverage, it will submit a list of suggested actors who are available, suitable and within the film's price range. Casting directors also create their own idea lists and can "check avails" by contacting actor representatives to confirm availability and interest. If an idea from a casting director or agent is approved by the director, producers and financiers (or studio), the casting director sends an "offer" — a letter to the actor's representative explaining the role, providing a copy of the script, outlining the time commitment, approximate start date, filming location and proposed salary. If the actor declines, they respond with a "pass." If they accept, a deal memo is sent and negotiations between the agency and production finalise deal points before entertainment lawyers draw up the formal contracts. When a commitment is made early in development and specific shoot dates are not yet known, a Letter of Intent (LOI) may be drafted to indicate that the actor will be hired for the role if the project is green-lit.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Self-management for actors : getting down to (show) business| last=Bonnie.| first=Gillespie| date=2009|publisher=Cricket Feet Pub|isbn=9780972301992|edition=3rd |location=Los Angeles, CA|oclc=182731144}}</ref>
After the attachment phase, physical auditions begin for remaining roles. Depending on the film's budget, there may be "pre-reads" where an actor auditions only for a casting director (or associate). Successful candidates are then called back for a "callback" or a director/producer session, where they audition for the casting director, director and other decision-makers. In television, this phase is often called a "screen test" and network executives may attend. Once actors are selected, the same booking process used in the attachment phase applies; extras casting follows a separate procedure.<ref name=":1"/>
The resulting list of actors selected to portray characters in a production is called a cast list, which is incorporated into a production company's daily call sheet<ref>{{cite web|title=What is the Call Sheet on a film production?|url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AdHVgcm6ShVa0O6QBzSKUyej3F9s9hbwxymib5y-vI4CPDpfvYfevQI/|date=September 8, 2016|publisher=Pinterest|access-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> and is reflected in the project's title sequence for film and television.
===Casting director workshops=== Many casting directors and casting associates in the United States run casting director workshops. Practices vary, but typically aspiring actors pay to perform in front of a casting professional who provides feedback. Critics argue that casting directors are paid to find talent, not to be paid to see talent; supporters say workshops provide classroom-like feedback and networking opportunities.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/casting-directors-gatekeepers-success-635/| title=Casting directors are not the gatekeepers to your success| first = Joseph| last= Pearlman | date= June 28, 2018 | website=Backstage}}</ref>
Because of their mixed reception, casting director workshops have sometimes been controversial. Former ''Criminal Minds'' casting director Scott David was dismissed after ''The Hollywood Reporter'' published a story about his pay-to-play workshops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/criminal-minds-casting-director-hollywood-880495|title='Criminal Minds' Casting Director Out After Hollywood Reporter Story on Pay-to-Play Workshops|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=4 April 2016}}</ref> In February 2017, five casting director workshops were charged with criminal offences for charging actors to audition for projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/hollywood-casting-workshop-scams-city-attorney-1201907052/|title=L.A. City Attorney Busts Five Casting Workshops for Charging for Auditions|date=9 February 2017}}</ref> In January 2018, casting director Lindsay Chag – known for films such as ''Robin Hood: Men in Tights'' and ''Dracula: Dead and Loving It'' — was convicted of violating the Talent Scam Prevention Act for her role in casting director workshops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/casting-director-scandal-lindsay-chag-guilty-talent-scam-prevention-act-1202275794/|title = Casting Director Lindsay Chag Found Guilty of Violating Talent Scam Prevention Act|date = 31 January 2018}}</ref>
== Casting office personnel == '''Readers:''' This person reads all other character's lines opposite the actor who is currently auditioning. For their audition sessions, casting offices will either bring in trusted actors as readers or will have one of the casting staff read with the actors. A reader will know how to give and take and play with other actors without ever outshining the auditioning actors.<ref name=":1"/>
'''Interns:''' Interns are more common to commercial casting offices, which host as many as a dozen different casting directors holding different auditions per day. While some commercial casting offices hold permanent casting space, many rent out studios on a project to project basis. A key intern will work with many busy casting directors sorting mail, copying sides and transcribing them onto "cue cards" or large boards to be read off of as prompts in the casting room, help actors sign in, and keep the flow of actors going in and out of the casting room as smooth as possible.<ref name=":1"/>
'''Casting Assistants:''' This is the entry-level position in the field of casting, but they act as much more than a typical office assistant. They cover the office phones, handle copying and filing, and set up audition (aka "session") equipment like lights, the camera, sound equipment, etc. They often assist in relaying audition appointments, checking actor avails, or in the casting room making sure the recording software is running smoothly so the Casting Director can focus on each actor's performance.<ref name=":1" />
'''Casting Associates:''' Associate is the second chain of command in a casting office. After a casting associate has worked for two years in the field of casting, they can apply for membership in Casting Society of America. Typically, they work under a Casting Director running pre-read sessions, prepping deal memos, cutting audition sides, and making calls to talent agents. Many associates begin to take on smaller scale projects so they can amass enough credits to move up in rank to a full-fledged Casting Director.<ref name=":1" />
== Race and gender in casting == Equity in representation has been of much discussion in Hollywood for many years. Productions do not always have a certain race or gender in mind for their starring role, but reports show disproportionate underrepresentation for women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ actors in most media. UCLA's Hollywood Diversity Report<ref>{{Cite web |title=UCLA's Hollywood Diversity Report |url=https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/initiatives/hollywood-diversity-report/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=Social Sciences Department of the University of California Los Angeles}}</ref> and the Geena Davis Institute<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research Archive |url=https://geenadavisinstitute.org/research/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Geena Davis Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> publish frequent and extensive research on the portrayal of diverse populations.
==Recognition for casting== === Canada === The national Canadian Screen Awards has presented an annual award for Best Casting in a Television Series since 2006.<ref>"Gemini Awards for drama, variety and comedy handed out in Toronto". Canadian Press, October 1, 2006.</ref> A new award for Best Casting in a Film is slated to be introduced in 2021.
The Prix Iris, the regional Canadian film awards for Quebec, introduced the Prix Iris for Best Casting in 2017.<ref name="Boutros">{{Cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/ceremonies/gala-quebec-cinema/201704/05/01-5085631-gala-quebec-cinema-juste-la-fin-du-monde-et-two-lovers-and-a-bear-en-tete.php |title=Gala Québec cinéma: Juste la fin du monde et Two Lovers and a Bear en tête |last=Boutros |first=Magdaline |date=April 5, 2017 |work=La Presse}}</ref>
=== United Kingdom === In 2020, the British Academy Film Awards introduced the BAFTA Award for Best Casting.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |date=2019-08-07 |title=Bafta film and TV awards introduce new casting category |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/07/bafta-film-and-tv-awards-introduce-new-casting-category |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
=== United States === The highest honor a casting director can receive in the United States is the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting. As of 2024, Junie Lowry-Johnson has won the most casting Emmys as an individual, all in the drama category. She has six awards for her work on ''NYPD Blue'', ''Six Feet Under'', ''True Blood'' and ''Homeland''. The only shows to win casting Emmys three times were ''30 Rock'' and ''Veep'', both in the comedy category. In 2017, at the 69th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences introduced the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
The Casting Society of America members award their peers with the Artios Award, typically held mid-January annually with ceremonies in New York, Los Angeles, and (beginning in 2018) London. ''Artios'' comes from the Greek word meaning "perfectly fitted". The Artios Awards recognize excellence in casting for all genres of casting except commercials. At their incarnation in 1985, they were held in November but were moved in the 2013–2014 season to align with the rest of the film and television industry's awards season. The Artios is awarded to those CSA members who receive primary screen (or program) credit for casting on the winning project. Location casting directors, casting executives and department heads who are CSA members and who receive credit on winning projects also receive an Artios Award. CSA Associates on those projects are recognized in the press and with a certificate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artios Awards |url=http://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102213058/http://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios |archive-date=2013-11-02 |access-date=2018-01-12 |website=www.castingsociety.com |language=en}}</ref>
==National organizations== ===Casting Society of America (CSA)=== The significant organization of professional screen, television, reality, and theater casting in the US is the Casting Society of America (CSA), but membership is optional. Casting directors organized in 2005 and became members of a collective bargaining unit, the Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 and New York Teamsters Local 817.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
==See also== * Audition website * ''Backstage'' (a casting publication) * ''Casting By'' * Casting couch * Character actor * Dramatis personae * Ensemble cast * Extra (actor) * ''Fach'', the German opera casting system * Stock character * Stunt casting * Stunt coordinator * Theatre and disability
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{commonscat-inline}} * [https://www.castingsociety.com/ The Casting Society of America] * [https://www.thecdg.co.uk/ The Casting Directors' Guild] (UK & Ireland)
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Casting (Performing Arts)}} Category:Casting (performing arts) Category:Performing arts Category:Theatre