Open Calls & Casting Calls

There are two types of auditions: open casting calls and casting auditions. 

• Open casting calls are open to everyone, even aspiring actors without agents. Newspapers, magazines and websites are all possible places for advertising these types of auditions since they are seeking as many potential candidates as possible. (Playbill.com and Backstage.com are both examples of reliable websites.) Many of the people attending open casting calls are amateurs, therefore, easily eliminated. If you can rise above this category of people, you will have more opportunity to make a good impression! Open casting calls present the opportunity for casting directors to meet new talent at large. The disadvantage is that there are so many people in open casting calls that each person only has a few seconds to make a great first impression before they hear, “Thank you!” Thank you seems like a nice way to end an audition, but it also means, “NEXT!” in the nicest possible way! Another disadvantage of open casting calls is that they are mostly used to fill minor roles. A lot of people for a casting also mean a lot of waiting, in which it is important to consider what to wear, what to bring, etc. Wear comfortable or bring a change of clothes and bring snacks in case your stomach needs something light to eat. An umbrella is also a wise choice in case you are not lucky enough to wait inside. It is crucial to always be earlier then on time when attending an open casting call since not everyone can be seen! For example, if the time were assigned for 11am, it would be wise to show up two hours prior to guarantee yourself a spot. If you arrive on time, you may be seen towards the end and if you arrive past the time, you may lose your chance of being seen at all! Open casting calls are an amazing opportunity to audition, get noticed and discover your new best friend, rejection. It is all a part of the business and if you want to enjoy the good, you have to work through the bad!
• An agent will schedule their actors' casting audition if the casting director is looking to fill a particular role that the actor physically and mentally fits. If an actor does not have an agent, one loop hole to attend a casting audition is if he or she impresses a casting director at a prior audition and is asked to attend. If you hear of a casting audition and feel you apply to that role, but do not have an agent, send the casting director your head shot and resume. Who knows?! There are many aspiring actors who try to show up uninvited to these casting auditions, but it must be made known this is a risk, can be interpreted inconsiderate, and may affect your reputation in a negative way. A casting audition can be looked at as more prominent an opportunity then an open call since it is often for a major role and there are fewer contenders. However, the disadvantage is that not all talent agencies, if not prestige enough, may be contacted for the role. Another disadvantage is that all of the contenders are of equal likeness making it more difficult to stand out.

Open calls and casting auditions are both exciting in their own way! Enjoy and learn from every experience. Get out there and audition!


-Actors Nook Team