The Ultimate Guide to Auditions [FREE Casting Sheet Template]

1. Read the script again

Read the script again and again

Before you can even think of casting notices, you have to read the script again. And again for good measure.

Knowing the screenplay cold ensures you not only cast every part you need, but also that you get the right actors for the right part.

What are the emotional swings the characters go through? Does a character have to speak with an Irish accent? Does one character have to act through heavy make-up?

To ensure you don’t miss any characters on your casting notices, be sure to run your screenplay through pre-production software like StudioBinder.

StudioBinder’s breakdown software lets you tag cast members, extras, props, etc into production element categories. Easily generate breakdown lists you can access at any stage of production.

2. Create a casting breakdown

Write a casting breakdown

After you’ve combed through each page of the script and listed out all the characters and extras you need to cast, it’s time to write a casting breakdown.

Think of it as short character bio, written to grab the attention of actors, agents, and casting directors. It should be informative as it is exciting. It’s heart of your actor’s job listing.

WHAT IS A CASTING BREAKDOWN?

A casting breakdown looks like a short bio, featuring a character’s age, ethnicity (if specified), body type, and personality. You should also include any special skills needed.

A casting breakdown example looks like this:

THE BEAST (Male, 30-40) a prince transformed into a terrifying beast for his lack of compassion. He is hot-tempered and commanding, but has a warm, loving heart buried far beneath his gruff exterior. Must sing. Vocal range: F4 to A2.

Does this casting breakdown example make you want to know more about the character? Hopefully. The best casting breakdowns get across all the information, but draw the actor in.

When writing your casting breakdown, it’s easy to be racist. After all, some films are looking for a certain ethnicity for their project. Unless the script specifies a certain ethnicity, leave the role open. Don’t just list “Caucasian Only” for no reason. When you let the casting process guide you, you end up with talent like Samuel Jackson filling the traditional white role of Nick Fury.

3. Find casting space

Space for your casting call

Before you can print off some warm casting sheets, you need to find space for your open casting call.

If you’re hiring a casting company, this step is all taken care of. Just send along some audition sides, make sure the casting sheet covers everything you need, and you’re in business.

If you’re doing it yourself, find a space that can accommodate the long lines of actors that will show up to your casting call. You can stagger out the audition times as much as you want, but you’re still going to need a huge waiting room.

And lots of parking.

Make sure there’s a reception area where you can your casting sign in sheet. (Casting sign-in sheet template here).

4. Posting a casting notice

Get the word out

You could have the juiciest, most Oscar-worthy part available. But if no one knows about it, you’re out of luck. Posting your casting notice gets the word out.

Casting notices (or casting call), is your casting breakdown plus general information about your project.

Are you looking for NYC SAG-AFTRA actors? Are you looking looking to shoot on location in Rome? You casting call includes all this information and where to show up for the film audition.

WHAT IS A CASTING CALL?

While not a casting call form template, a casting call usually lists:

1. Production Title
2. Union / Non-Union Status
3. Production Type
4. Project Length
5. Project Format
6. Posted Date
7. Production Location
8. Production Companies
9. Company website
10. Director
11. Producer
12. Casting Director
13. Audition Location
14. Shooting Location
15. Email
16. Compensation
17. Dates and Times of Film Auditions
18. Dates and Times of Callbacks
19. Synopsis of project
20. Character breakdowns

Casting notices are sent to agents, and are posted on websites like Backstage. Instead of attaching a casting sheet, these websites collect all the information and headshots you need, so when actors come in, they’re ready to go.

If you’re on a tight budget, reach out to acting schools where actors are often willing to trade money for experience.

5. fill out casting sheets

Have your actors fill out casting sheets

As actors show up to your open casting call, you have to get information from each of them on a casting sheet.

Also known as audition sheets, casting sheets collect all the necessary information from your actors needed to start production.

As you watch film audition after film audition, the casting sheet keeps you on track with you’re actually seeing. It syncs up with your casting sign in sheet and is basically contact information on steroids.

WHAT GOES ON A CASTING SHEET?

While no two casting sheets are alike, the most information a casting sheet will require is:

1. Name
2. Date of Birth
3. Address (of agency, if repped)
4. Email (of agency, if repped)
5. Agent (if repped)
6. SAG-AFTRA (Y/N)
7. Willing to be an extra?
8. Height
9. Weight
10. Hair Color
11. Eye Color
12. Chest Size
13. Waist Size
14. Shoe Size

Of course, no casting sheet is complete without a current headshot and resume.

6. audition slides

Have your audition slides ready

Unless you’re shooting a silent film, your actors are going to speak in the final project. As such, you should have audition sides ready to go.

Short and to the point, audition sides feature a part of the screenplay that showcases the essence of a character.

When posting your casting notice, you should ideally send out audition sides as early possible to give the actors time to work. But just like your casting sheets, you should have them at the film audition ready to go as well.

The best audition sides showcase an actor’s ability and cut to the core of who the character in the film is. Make sure the person reading sides with the actor across the table, doesn’t try to perform. The reader should merely prompt the actor.

7. Mark up the casting sheet

Write notes and reactions 

On every casting sheet is blank space for you to write your reactions.

Was the actor a perfect fit? But for another part? Was someone too fat? Did someone kill their audition sides, but you want to see him read against a girl you saw come in earlier?

Mark all of this and more on your casting sheet template so your thoughts stay fresh in your mind.
When the last audition sides have been read, all the faces and performances are going to blend together. Writing down specific feedback makes sure your first impressions stay alive.

8. Record every audition

Notes are not enough

While written notes are great, you should also record every audition. The casting process is one of watching audition sides over and over again until you decide the part’s been won.

To record the performances properly, designate a mark for your actors to stand on so that you capture the full range of the actor’s body language, not just pretty faces.

Make sure your actors “slate,” or says their name into the camera and shows both profiles before beginning the audition, to make going through the footage easier.

9. Organize and backup talent information

Input contact information in database

Once your open casting call is through, it’s time to go through the tapes. If you don’t carefully organize all the data you’ve collected, your casting notices will be a waste.

Develop an organization system to keep track of the audition recordings and casting sheet templates.

Create unique folders for every actor and label with the casting sheet. Enter their contact information into a database that you can easily sort if you need to contact them.

In StudioBinder, you can easily transfer your casting forms into an intuitive contact database that stores your actors’ information. With ample cloud storage, you can share the videos you like with teammates, who can watch audition sides to see if the magic you saw is still there.

10. Send out callbacks

Setup a callback appointment

Maybe you’ve already figured out what actor you’re going with. In any case, your open casting call has become closed.

If actors are repped, call their agent to set up a callback appointment. If they aren’t, call the preferred number they listed on the audition sheet template.

They won’t have to fill out a casting sheet on their second-go round, but now you’ve weeded down the field to the lucky few who may star in your next project.