Casting Tips From Our Night Casting Directors
Did you know Central Casting books Background Actors to work in movies, TV shows, and other productions throughout the night and early morning? Our night Casting Directors are available to fill rush calls, make replacements, and to answer questions about booking information. Here are five casting tips from our night staff to help you find work overnight.
1. Understand rush calls and replacements
Rush calls are used to make replacements or additions for same-day work. Depending on call times, replacements can be made throughout the day and night, but are most common overnight and in the early mornings.
When our Casting Directors need to book these types of roles, they will either send you a message through our casting platform or post to our Jobs page. If you're interested in booking rush calls or replacement roles, be sure to check the Jobs page frequently in the early mornings when they are most likely to be posted.
2. Respond as quickly as possible
We understand that it may be hard to respond to messages promptly at late and early hours, but we do ask that you respond as soon as you can. This is especially important with rush calls as our Casting Directors may need someone to get to set as soon as possible. Even if you can't respond right away, we still ask that you respond when you can, even if the answer is no. This lets our casting staff know to reach out to other Background Actors if needed.
3. Be honest about your availability
Our Casting Directors often get asked if responding as unavailable has impact on future availability messages. Rest assured; your response history does not impact future availability messages you may receive. In fact, our casting staff prefer you answer "unavailable" instead of not answering at all.
Please be honest, not only about your availability, but about your ability to make it to set by the indicated time. It doesn't help you, our Casting Directors, or production when you respond available but can't make it to set when you're needed.
4. Be clear on your details
Your booking information will be sent as a details message from our casting platform and may contain an additional resource like a Details Blog or other reference material from production. It's crucial to read this information fully and carefully so you know what's expected and show up to set camera ready. Please respond to your details message when you receive it so our Casting Directors know you have your booking information.
Your details will include how to get your call time changes, which may be sent to you as a message from our casting platform or updated in your Details Blog. It is your responsibility to check for call time changes and show up for work on time.
5. Keep your online profile updated
Having a current headshot and full body shot in the Artist's Choice slot and making sure your online profile is filled out completely with accurate information are two of the best ways to set yourself up for success with Central Casting. In addition to key sections like playing age, appearance, and sizes, also be sure to add any props you own, vehicles you are willing to work with, and special skills you can convincingly portray on camera.
Our night casting staff also stress the importance of deleting any old photos or information from your profile. If you have outdated information in your profile, you may be considered for roles you no longer fit the look for and may be missing out on availability messages for roles you can portray.
Now that you've read these casting tips from our night Casting Directors, you'll be prepared when you're contacted for rush calls and replacements. Find more ways to be a successful Central Casting Background Actor in our articles How to Stand Out to Casting Directors and How to Prepare for Your First Day on Set.
