CLOSED CASTING CALL IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Closed Casting Call)

Underlining A Closed Casting Call / Photo Credit: Actingbiz

CLOSED CASTING CALL IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Closed Casting Call)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

Closed Casting Call in Motion Picture Production

What is a closed casting call?

While every production has many casting sessions, these are considered 'closed' sessions, meaning that the actors who are being seen have been invited to audition. ... It's hard for actors to get in the room when unrepresented because of this, and its all the more reason for them to participate in open casting calls.

When you’re called in for an acting audition, the people present at the audition will include you, the casting director, and maybe a handful of other complete strangers. Some of these other people may be the producer, a camera operator (if they’re taping the auditions), the casting director’s bored friend or relative, a representative from the advertiser (in the case of a commercial audition), or a dance choreographer or musical director (in the case of a musical). No matter who is in the room, treat everyone in the room with respect. If someone looks like a sloppily dressed janitor, that person could actually be the producer, so play it safe and treat everyone with courtesy.

After brief introductions (and make sure you keep them brief), someone may ask for your headshot and resume if you haven’t already handed one in. (Don’t be afraid to pass out multiple copies of your headshot or resume.) At some auditions, someone may take your picture with a digital camera, so the casting director can review all the people who auditioned that day. Be sure to smile and look your very best. If your picture doesn’t look anything like your headshot, you need to get a new headshot.

SPEAKING YOUR AUDITION LINES

When auditioning for a role in a TV commercial, you read from cue cards. Cue cards are like large flash cards that have an actor’s script printed on them in big letters. If a TV performer forgets the lines, she ever-so-subtly looks at the cue cards and reads from them. The viewing audience doesn’t see cue cards because the person holding them is standing next to (not in front of) the camera.

When auditioning for a role in a movie, TV show, or theatrical play, you read from a script. Keep the following script etiquette in mind when auditioning: 

• If you just received your copy of the script moments before your audition, it’s okay to ask for a little time to study the role (just don’t take too much time and inconvenience the casting director)...
• Don’t be afraid to read directly from the script while acting. The important part is to see how well you can interpret the part, not how well you can memorize a script on short notice...
• Try to say the words of the script correctly, but don’t be too worried if you mispronounce a word or two. If you completely mess up your lines, it’s okay to ask if you can start from the beginning again...
• During an open casting call or casting audition, another person may read lines with you. This person could be anyone from the casting director to another actor to the man who just delivered a pizza to the casting director for lunch. Many times, the person reading with you is not a professional actor and, therefore, may not give you much to work with. Don’t let any acting inadequacies bother you; stay focused, and give your best audition. During a callback, however, you may be asked to audition and read lines with an actor who already has been cast. The casting director wants to see how you look and sound next to an actor who has already been assigned a role... 

You may be asked to read the same script several times with the casting director giving you suggestions to be angrier, more forceful, softer, and so on. This direction is a good thing! You want the casting director’s attention because it means he (or she) is interested in you.

MAKING YOUR EXIT

After you complete your audition, thank everyone (the casting director, the camera operator eating a sandwich in the back, the receptionist who helped you check in, and anyone else who may be sitting in the room). If you read from a script, be sure to hand that script back to the casting director or his assistant. In general, you want to leave the room exactly the way it appeared when you arrived.

Before leaving the audition, you may have to sign out and record the time you left. Union rules stipulate that actors can be held for only a certain amount of time at an audition, so the sign-out sheet verifies that you weren’t kept for an abnormally long period of time. Even if you don’t yet belong to an actors union, signing out shows that you are no longer on the premises. After you sign out, leave as quickly as possible, and congratulate yourself for what you’ve accomplished.

What’s the difference between regular casting sessions and open calls?

While every production has many casting sessions, these are considered ‘closed’ sessions, meaning that the actors who are being seen have been invited to audition. Casting directors will bring in people they know, or see new people based on recommendations made by an agent or manager. It’s hard for actors to get in the room when unrepresented because of this, and its all the more reason for them to participate in open casting calls.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Huffington Post, Backstage, Nick Maccarone, Debbie Sikkema, Your Young Actor, Cast it Talent, Larry Garrison, Wallace Wang,

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Underlining A Closed Casting Call / Photo Credit: Actingbiz