A talk I gave about my approach to casting actors for films in the UK

1. Casting and Auditions
Phil Peel

2. Watching a film - Most important thing is the story and the
characters.
• Great story + poor actors = bad experience
• Poor story + Great actors = believable & watchable
• Adequate story+ adequate directing + great actors =
good experience.

3. You have the script. Where to find actors?

4. Local Theatres, Drama Schools, Uni. Courses, Films, TV,
Agents, & Online Casting Websites ..or a Casting Director

5. What do you need to think about when
looking for the right actor?

6. Character breakdown
• Type of character
• Gender
• Playing age
• Nationality/ethnicity
• Special requirements
• Availability
• Location
• Cost

7. How much can you afford?
• Fees
• Accommodation
• Travel
• Food
• Make up
• Costume
• (Casting Director ?)

8. Star or Name Actor ?
• Locate agent.
• Ask
• Send script
• Dates.
• You might be lucky

9. Approach agent - Ask for meeting with
actor - Offer part.
Send details and script.
If going for high profile actor maybe
try offer 2 weeks in advance.
To locate agent IMDB Pro. Spotlight.
Whorepresents.com ( £9 a month)

11. Info to send out

12. Send out
• Title
• Genre - Logline
• Filming Dates
• Location
• Length
• Time Commitment
• Payment
• Synopsis
• Character description

13. Info
• When & where casting
• Director - previous experience & successes.
• Any other important considerations. Sex,
nudity, driving etc
• Deadlines for CVs to be returned
• Contact info
• Will provide DVD or files of performance.
4-5 weeks before - Children earlier

14. Where to look on line.

15. Casting Websites
1. Spotlight www.spotlight.com
2. Casting Call Pro www.castingcallpro.com
3. StarNow
4. Casting Networks Inc
5. CastNet
6. CastWeb
7. The Casting Website
8. Dramanic
9. To Be Seen
10. Talent Circle
11. Casting Collective Ltd
12. Mandy.com
13 Shooting People

25. CVs

26. CVs
— Looks Don’t believe photos
— Height If not matching filming can be difficult
— Eyes Cast as family, parents, daughters etc
— Colouring “ “
— Accent “ “

27. CVs
— Type of work Stage, TV, film, student
— Lead or minor or background?
— Repeat work for same director?
— Showreel?

41. Where to hold the
Audition?

42. Venues
— Best not private house or flat
— Rehearsal space
— Church halls/ upstairs at Pubs
— Studio spaces
— ..and more unusual

43. Venues
— Actors Centre £135 a day
— Church hall £10-12 an hour
— www.rehearsalspacelondon.co.uk
— e.g Xcalder Theatre bookshop at Waterloo £12
— This side of London is easiest

46. Team
— At least two. Male and female best
— One to meet and greet
— One to film.
— One to lead

47. Venue
— Area or room to wait.
— 13 amp sockets – for camera power
— Parking
— Nearest refreshments

48. Other
— Cameras, tripods, SD cards, extension cables
— Spare copies of pages + synopses + info forms
— Print out copies of all cvs and running order
— Food & water
— Notices for doors, blu tak
— One contactable mobile number

49. An example

50. An example
Casting for a 20 min. short film

51. An example
Casting for a 20 min. short film
John Lennon’s Turd

52. Logline: When John Lennon uses his toilet,
uber-fans Ian and Digby hatch a plan to sell their
idol's unflushed poo.

53. The film is set in 1969
Ian is in his early twenties (ideally long haired). He would love
to be in a band, but he has neither the musical talent nor
perseverance to succeed. He’s not too bright, untidy but
good-natured. His live in girlfriend is ..
Carole, also 20s whose smart, attractive and hardworking.
She’s keen to persuade Ian to better himself. She feels
undermined and deeply suspicious of Ian’s long time best
friend…
Digby, also 20s (and ideally long haired.. it is 1969!), who’s
often high on something and looking for the next big scheme.

54. Character Days/dates M/F Age Ethnicity Special
requirements
Description
Ian 3 M 20+ any L. hair dopey, laid
back, likeable
Digby 3 M 20+ any L. hair streetwise
devious,
druggie,
Carole 1 F 20 + any smart,
attractive, can
be quite
dominant.
Chas 1 M 40-60 any wheeler dealer.
John Lennon 1/2 M 20-30 W JL look alike looks like JL
from back

55. Live Session

57. The real Auditions

61. Auditions
DIGBY IAN JOAN
11:00 Finnigan Morris Danny D'Anziere Lucy Laing
11:30 Tom McCarrow
12:00 Kenton Hall Luke Brandon Field
12:30 Ryan Brunton Rhys Alexander Melissa de Mol
13:00 Antonio Twoinle Garla Jackson
13:30 LUNCH
14:00
14:30 Jake Unsworth Luke Stevenson Jody Lee Harris
15:00 Braley Farrow Jamie Bannerman Katherine Booth
15:30 Bradley Clapson Tom Hurley Elizabeth Bloom
16:00 David Henstead
16:30 Ben Adams Simon Burbage Elizabeth Nicolson
17:00 Oliver Malam Emma Lees

62. Auditions
DIGBY IAN JOAN
11:00 Finnigan Morris Danny D'Anziere Lucy Laing
11:30 Tom McCarrow
12:00 Kenton Hall Luke Brandon Field
12:30 Ryan Brunton Rhys Alexander Melissa de Mol
13:00 Antonio Twoinle Garla Jackson
13:30 LUNCH
14:00
14:30 Jake Unsworth Luke Stevenson Jody Lee Harris
15:00 Braley Farrow Jamie Bannerman Katherine Booth
15:30 Bradley Clapson Tom Hurley Elizabeth Bloom
16:00 David Henstead
16:30 Ben Adams Simon Burbage Elizabeth Nicolson
17:00 Oliver Malam Emma Lees

63. Auditions
DIGBY IAN JOAN
11:00 Finnigan Morris Danny D'Anziere Lucy Laing
11:30 Tom McCarrow
12:00 Kenton Hall Luke Brandon Field
12:30 Ryan Brunton Rhys Alexander Melissa de Mol
13:00 Antonio Twoinle Garla Jackson
13:30 LUNCH
14:00
14:30 Jake Unsworth Luke Stevenson Jody Lee Harris
15:00 Braley Farrow Jamie Bannerman Katherine Booth
15:30 Bradley Clapson Tom Hurley Elizabeth Bloom
16:00 David Henstead
16:30 Ben Adams Simon Burbage Elizabeth Nicolson
17:00 Oliver Malam Emma Lees

64. <FILM TITLE> BY <NAMEOF DIRECTOR)
AUDITION INFORMATION FORM
DATE:________________________________________
CONTACT INFO
NAME:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY:____________________________ STATE:________________________ ZIP CODE:____________________________
PRIMARY CONTACT PHONE [HOME/CELL/AGENT]:______________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL PHONE:____________________________________ SERVICE:_____________________________________
PRIMARY EMAIL ADDRESS:______________________________ SECONDARY:_________________________________
AGENT (REPRESENTATION):________________________________ CONTACT PHONE:_________________________
UNION: NONE SAG AFTRA EQUITY OTHER (BE SPECIFIC):______________________________
ROLE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
DIMENSIONS INFO
HEIGHT:_____________ WEIGHT:______________ COLOR HAIR:_________________ COLOR EYES:_____________
SUIT/DRESS:_______________________ SHIRT/BLOUSE:_______________________ NECK:_______________________
SLEEVE:___________________________ PANTS:_________________________ INSEAM:___________________________
WAIST:_________________________ HAT:______________________________ AGE RANGE:_______________________
SHOE:__________________________ WILL YOU DO EXTRA ( YES NO ) AND/OR STAND-IN ( YES NO ) WORK?
ARE YOU CURRENTLY IN A SHOW, FILM, TV, ETC. (BE SPECIFIC):________________________________________
REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
PLEASE LIST YOUR AVAILABILITY WITHIN THE FOLLOWING TIME FRAME: <INSERT DATE> THRU <INSERT
DATE>. PLEASE NOTE THAT EACH ROLE IS KEY TO THE FILM AS A WHOLE. IF YOU HAVE ANY MAJOR
CONFLICTS WITHIN THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED TIME TABLE PLEASE INDICATE THAT BELOW, FOR
MORE SPACE USE OTHER SIDE.
______________________PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE_______________________

65. 100+ applied 26 selected 8 d.n.a.
19 auditioned 16 emailed no 3 cast

69. 100+ applied 26 selected 7 d.n.a.
19 auditioned 16 emailed no 3 cast