Picking the Role for the Actors

[justinisfilming]

So when the actors start emailing me their headshots and resumes for the casting process, should I expect them to tell me which role they're auditioning for? Or is it the director's job to decide basing on their pictures which role should they audition for?

Thanks!

 

[Zensteve]

When you make your casting call, you should be listing the various roles you are looking for (as well as a brief bit about the character). The actors will be trying out for a particular role that they believe they are suitable for.

 

[DeJager]

I usually have a form that they fill out and one of the questions says, "Would you be willing to accept another role other than the one you auditioned for?" (not in those exact words) This way you know you have more flexibility in your casting.

 

[finderskeepers]

The casting website I used forced every performer to submit for a particular role. However, I did ask some actors to read for a different role then they submitted for. Everyone I asked agreed. I can't imagine having actors just submit randomly. But then again it probably depends on what you are doing.

 

[mlesemann]

Many of the actors who I cast in supporting roles in my feature had originally submitted for & read for one of the leads. When we moved on to the supporting roles, we contacted the ones we were interested and asked if they'd be interested in reading for a smaller role. Most of them were open to it.

 

[harmonica44]

I've only done one casting call so far, but I got messages from actors, saying which role they would like to try out for. I liked that cause then I knew how many actors I had for each role try out. But I am also open minded to having them play a different part if I feel it's a better choice.