FAQs |
Who can join ActorCast? |
ActorCast is open to both union and non-union Actors, and represented (by an agent) and non-represented actors. We welcome talent from any geographical location in the world - not just Los Angeles and New York. Agents and Managers can also join ActorCast (for free), and set up paid accounts for their clients. Either Actors or their representatives can pay for the actor’s account. |
How do I add my agent? |
Go to the “Representation” page and click “Add Agent/Manager” and fill in the information. If your agency isn't already listed in the drop down box, select 'add my agency' and fill in the details. If you want your agent to be able to submit you for roles, select “edit/submit” as the permission type. |
How do I add my agency or management company details? |
If you are an actor and you wish to add an agent or manager whose company is not in the “agency” drop down box, you may add your representative’s agency or management company details by selecting the first item in the Agency drop down box “Add My Agency”. |
How much does it cost? |
A basic membership that allows you to upload photos and resume is $10 per year. A premium membership enables you to upload 10 video clips and costs only $100 per year or $9 per month. You may submit for an unlimited number of roles with any membership. |
Why isn’t it free? |
ActorCast is a premium service for professional actors and agents that puts you directly into the electronic submission loop that casting directors are now requiring. Charging a fee allows us to keep the database free of “junk” and bogus accounts, which enables the casting community to trust ActorCast as the optimal source for talent. |
What is Cast It and why do you keep mentioning it? |
Cast It is the site used by most of the television and film productions to get casting done. Cast It Systems operates a paid, premium business database and web service and maintains contracts with all of the studios to provide electronic casting services. There are other online casting databases out there, but Cast It is the only one that has passed rigorous security audits with the studios and won the endorsement of every major studio. Casting for 85% of network television shows is done on Cast It. Casting for 95% of mid and large budget studio features is done on Cast It. Casting for 60% of independent features that have studio distribution is done on Cast It. All of the major Casting Directors working today use Cast It to manage the casting process. When you go to a casting office where your audition is video taped, that audition is then uploaded to Cast It so it can be viewed, discussed and approved by production executives. ActorCast is the Actor's direct link into Cast It. |
What is a package? |
A package is what you build to identify yourself and your work to a Casting Director when submitting for a role. In order to create a package, first you will need to complete your profile by filling out all of your demographic information and including tags to describe you. You’ll need to upload your portfolio of photos, resumes and videos. Next, you will build a package by clicking on the “add package” link on the package page, giving your package a name and description and then selecting a combination of photo/video/resume. You can create a new package for each submission. Once you have submitted a package, it can't be edited, so if you want to tweak something for a different role, create a new package (they are unlimited!). You can also email your package out to anyone by clicking on the “email package” link on the package page. |
There is already a package in my account that I didn't create, what is it? |
We create a package for you automatically when you set up your profile based on the first photo and (if available) video and resume you upload. We encourage you to create additional packages that are customized for the roles you are submitting for. However, this initial package is there to get you started. |
How do I submit for a role? Do I need video to submit? |
While video is recommended, it is not required for a submission.
In order to submit, you will either need to create a package or use the one that ActorCast has already created for you. Go to the packages page to either create a new package with photo/video(option)/resume or check the package that is there to make sure it's what you want to send.
Select which role you want to submit for on the Roles page.
Select the package from the drop down box in the Package column on the Roles page.
Click the "Submit" link.
You are done! |
Can I submit a video audition for a specific role? |
Yes. If you either have video as part of your membership, or if you wish to purchase a one-time video submission- you can do this.
First, check to see if there are sides available for a role. There will be an orange "sides" button in the role description field on the Roles page if the casting director has published sides. If available, download the sides and videotape your audition. Upload the video using the Video page and then add the video to your package. Name the package with the role name. On the roles page, select the package and click submit. |
If there are no roles available that I’m eligible to submit for, could I still be cast? |
Yes, simply by maintaining a profile and having photo, resume and video in ActorCast, you will be seen by hundreds of casting professionals, producers, directors and studio executives who search and peruse the ActorCast database. |
I was expecting to see more roles, why aren’t there more available? |
The roles you see on ActorCast in the "Cast It" roles section represent high quality, paid, studio productions that come directly from the casting directors that use Cast It who are casting the network television shows and studio features. We do have fewer notices than other sites, but our focus is on providing you access to high-quality, career-building roles in professional productions. |
Why are most of the roles for union actors? |
The large number of union roles you will find is actually one of the things that differentiates ActorCast from the actor other sites. The Cast It users who are posting these notices are working on studio productions and most of the roles are paid SAG (or other union) contracts. However, we strongly encourage our non-union members to put up their profile, photos, resume and reel and submit for the open calls and non-union notices that are becoming increasingly popular. As our community of casting professionals continues to expand, we will be offering more non-union roles. Further, some of our biggest productions use ActorCast to do open call auditions to find fresh talent. ActorCast gives both the union and non-union actor an unprecedented look into what is happening in the world of studio casting, and unmatched visibility from important casting professionals. |
I do not live/work in Los Angeles or New York, is there anything for me? |
Absolutely. One of the important missions of ActorCast is to connect regional and international talent to the productions that are shooting in their area. Many films and television shows are produced outside of the big media centers. However in many regions, there is not an established casting community to bring in the local talent, so our Cast It casting directors use ActorCast to find talent for roles that will be in a location outside of Los Angeles (or New York). You can filter your roles by “location”; casting offices are adding more and more out-of-area and international roles all the time. |
How do I leave a comment for an actor? |
You can search any actor who has a profile by going to the “Search Actor” page. When you view an actor’s profile, you can select a photo or video to view and leave a comment. The comments are visible to anyone who views that actor’s profile. |
What are comments all about? |
ActorCast is your acting community. In addition to being seen by hundreds of casting directors, you can connect with your fellow actors. Comments are a great tool for giving and receiving feedback from your fellow members on headshots, reels and auditions. |
Can I submit more than one package for a role? |
You are only allowed to submit one package for a role. |
Do I need video (premium membership) to submit for a role? |
No, you can submit just photo/resume in a package. However, since you are seeking consideration for a television or film role, video will help the Casting Director in the selection process. You can upgrade to the premium package which includes video at any time. |
What is the “one time video”? |
Basic members can opt to pay a fee of $5.00 to include one video clip in a package (one time). You will see the “one time video” option on the roles page and will be walked through the process of adding video. This video may only be used. |
Do I need an agent to submit for roles? |
No, you can submit yourself for any roles that are listed in the “available roles” box. If you do have an agent, it is strongly recommended to have your agent become a (free) ActorCast member so that he/she can submit you for roles through the system. |
How will I hear about getting called for an audition? |
At this time, you will be notified by your contact info (email, telephone) that is submitted with your package. If you have an agent, your agent will be notified. In the future, you will be able to manage your audition schedule and communication with agents and Casting Directors from the ActorCast site. |
Who can see my profile? |
Your profile is visible to other ActorCast members and all users of Cast It Systems (casting offices, producers, directors, studio executives). If you have identified your representation, they will have access to your information as well. |
I am unable to upload my video. |
Please be sure that your video clip of your reel or audition is in a supported file type and is smaller than 25mb. ActorCast allows you to upload in the following formats: |
What does “video converting” mean? |
When you upload your video to ActorCast, it goes through a process on our servers of converting to a format so it’s easily viewable by anyone on either a Mac or PC. Please be patient with this process, it can take 10-20 minutes after you upload for the process to be complete. You will know it’s done converting when you can play the video from within your ActorCast account (click on it on the video page). Once it’s converted, it’s ready to be added to a package and submitted. |