Applying for a role
The basics
Do I need an account?
No. Use the link the casting team sent you.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is free to apply. If anyone asks you to pay, it is not us. Contact us.
Do I need an agent?
No. You apply yourself. If you have an agent, tell them you applied.
Some calls are only for people without an agent. We tell you before taking any details.
Can I apply more than once?
No. One application per email address per production, so choose the role that fits best. To correct something, email the casting director.
Why is there no form on the role?
The role has not opened yet, or it has closed. The page says which, and when it opens.
Do I need my photo and tape ready?
No. Give your details first. We email you a link to send your headshot and self-tape later. The casting team sees nothing until you do.
Will I hear back?
The casting team emails you if they want to take it further. Casting directors rarely reply to everyone. That is normal, and no judgement on your work.
How long do you keep my details?
We delete them 30 days by default after the production finishes, not when casting closes. The casting call shows the exact date.
We delete your name, email, phone, location, links, cover note, photo and tapes. We keep the production and its roles only.
To be deleted sooner, see the Terms of Submission.
Who sees my details?
The casting director who posted the role and anyone they added. If they say Yes, the production may see your name, location, photo and tapes, not your email or phone.
We never sell your details, share them with other productions or market to you.
If they download a copy, the role’s terms say how long they keep it.
The casting call
- Playing age
- The age range you could play, not your real age.
- Self-tape
- You film your audition and send it. You are not usually paid for making one.
- Shoot dates
- When the work happens. Apply only if you are free for all of it.
- Opens and closes
- Finish before the closing time, so leave time to film. Times are in UK time. The casting director can close early.
The form
- Full name
- Your professional name, as you would be credited.
- Phone
- For auditions and last-minute changes.
- Based in
- Shows whether you can work as a local. The role should say if travel is paid.
- Height and where you are resident
- Only asked when a role needs them. Give the country you live in, not your address.
- 18 or over
- We only ask if you are 18 or over, never your age. Under 18? A parent or guardian applies. They give the age you will be on the first day of production.
- Profile link
- Optional. Check it is not private or password-locked.
- Cover note
- A short paragraph on why you suit this role.
- Videos
- Some roles ask for more than one, each with its own brief. We check the length before anything is sent.
- A question about heritage, faith or health
- A few roles are written for a particular heritage, faith or disability, and the law lets them ask. The question has its own consent. Your answer is kept apart. Only the casting director who posted the role and the site administrator can read it. We delete it soon after casting closes. The question says when.
- Terms for this role
- Set by the casting director. You tick to accept them. We store the wording you accepted, so it can't change later.
Staying safe
Why can't I search for other roles?
Open Casting is not a job board, so there is nothing to browse. Keep your link. If you lose it, ask whoever sent it. We can't look it up.
Is this casting call genuine?
Every role names the casting director and the company. Look them up. Real casting directors never ask for money, or for bank details before you are cast. They never audition in private homes or hotel rooms.
What about nudity or intimate content?
It must be in the brief from the start. A professional production has an intimacy coordinator and a nudity rider in the contract. If it is not in the brief, ask before you tape.
What if the applicant is under 18?
A parent or guardian fills in the form. We email them to confirm. The casting team sees nothing until they do. If nobody confirms within a week, we delete everything sent.
For a child of school age, the production must get a child performance licence from the local authority and provide a registered chaperone. If they don't know this, be careful.
This is guidance, not legal advice. It is not a contract. If money, usage or a child is involved, take advice from Equity, an agent or a solicitor.