Write a casting call people can actually say yes to
A casting professional checklist for clear casting calls: character descriptions, compensation, location, filming dates, travel, usage rights, and application instructions.
Explain the project in human terms.
Give the project title, format, production company or casting professional, and a short description of the story and tone. Actors should understand what they are applying for without searching through an entire pitch deck. Only post work you are authorized to cast.
Describe the role, not an imaginary perfect person.
Explain the character’s situation, relationships, and important acting demands. Include a playing-age range and role type. Separate necessary skills from nice-to-have skills. Avoid asking for personal or sensitive information that has no clear connection to the work.
Put the practical information where people can see it.
State the filming location, dates, union status, rate, and pay unit. Specify whether compensation is per day, week, hour, or the whole project. If the work is unpaid, say so. Explain travel, lodging, and local-hire expectations rather than leaving applicants to guess.
Disclose what affects consent.
Describe intimacy, nudity, stunts, or other sensitive requirements in advance. Explain commercial usage and the requested term or territory where relevant. Be explicit about any proposed AI, digital replica, or likeness use; do not bury it in a vague description. A casting post is not a substitute for a properly reviewed contract.
Ask for the materials you need.
Give simple, relevant submission instructions. Avoid asking for lengthy custom work before you have reviewed the actor’s existing materials. If you request a tape, specify the scenes, framing, number of takes, slate, and a deadline with a time zone. Never charge applicants to audition.
Close the loop.
Keep your casting call current. Close roles that are no longer accepting submissions. Use clear status updates and respectful messages. In Open Call, applications and selected media live together in the casting workspace, so the next person you meet has the same context you do.