OPEN CASTING CALLS VS. REGULAR CASTING CALLS IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Open Casting Calls vs. Regular Casting Calls)

Open Casting Call / Photo Credit: Bfresh.media

OPEN CASTING CALLS VS. REGULAR CASTING CALLS IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Open Casting Calls vs. Regular Casting Calls)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

Open Casting Calls vs. Regular Casting Calls in Motion Picture Production

Open Casting Calls vs. Regular Casting Calls

An Open Call (also referred to as an open casting call or open audition) is an acting audition or a modeling audition where anyone who wants to audition can show up and audition. An Open Call is much different from a typical scheduled acting audition.

Open Calls, also sometimes not so affectionately referred to as Cattle Calls, are common when it comes to many reality TV shows such as American Idol and Survivor.  Open calls are also sometimes held for movies and television shows where they want to search far and wide for the perfect actor or want to find new talent.  Open calls may also be used to increase the public’s interest in a particular tv show or movie, hopefully resulting in increased hype, anticipation, discussion, and viewing.

What Happens at an Open Call?

When an Open Call occurs, there is generally a call time (often in the morning) and people can show up to be seen between that time and the ending time. Sometimes no ending time is even provided. If the time runs out and casting is ready to leave, even if you show up fairly early in the day, it is possible that you will be turned away and not seen. Showing up does not guarantee that you will be seen.

Sometimes, if you have a talent agent or manager, you can be given preference over those without talent agents or managers and perhaps be given an appointment time. That sort of appointment time at an open call may or may not be strictly honored. It may, at least, get you seen before a number of others who arrived before you.

Casting is usually in a big rush at open casting calls, and you are often seen for a very short time and may not even finish performing or reading your lines before you are stopped and sent out. You are taken in, stand on your spot in front of the camera (if there is one), and you are told to go ahead. Then, just as quickly, you are typically released to leave (unless they want to see more of you or give you a callback).

Often, you will be taken back in a group of perhaps 8 to 10 or 15 people where what you are doing is explained to you. You probably have forms that you were given to fill out while you were waiting and you turn those in at that time. You also may have forms to sign agreeing that any footage taken of you at the audition can be shown and used for whatever purposes they see fit. If you don’t sign those, you may be not be allowed to attend.

Remember that there are no real rules where open calls are concerned, so you’ll never really know what to expect. But you can be pretty sure there will be a lot of people and a lot of waiting.

Chances of Booking a Job from an Open Call are Slim

Your chances of getting a job from an open call are extremely slim, so you have to realize that it may mean quite a lot of preparation and waiting for absolutely nothing. And for some, it may also mean hours of driving just to get to the location of the open call.

But on the other hand, you may be just what casting is looking for and you may get some attention. It can result, at least, in a second audition even if you don’t actually get the job/appearance on the show. At the very least, it is an opportunity to be seen by a big industry casting director.

If those odds don’t scare you away, and you find all the preparation, driving, and waiting around to be fun, there is certainly no harm in going to an open call.  Just don’t be discouraged if you go to one and nothing comes of it because that is certainly the most likely outcome.

Be Prepared if You Go to an Open Call

If you do decide to go to an open call, take some time to do the following: 

• Prepare very well for the audition. Get some coaching and other suggestions from an entertainment industry professional if possible to make sure you/your child are totally prepared and ready to put on a very memorable performance…
• Be well rested before you go to the audition as it will probably be a long wait…
• Try to get an assigned audition time if possible. If you have a talent agent or talent manager, see if they can do that for you. Don’t make a pest of yourself if that can’t be done, though…
• Arrive at the audition before the posted start time. That will give you time to find parking and get in line, and the line might form quite a while before the actual audition time…
• If you live far away, drive to the audition destination the day before and stay overnight if you have a place to stay or can afford a hotel room so that you can get to the audition early…
• Bring a bag of snacks, water/juice, toys, and change of clothes, comb/hairbrush, and lots of activities to fill the time while you wait…
• Understand that you have a very brief time to catch someone’s attention and be prepared to really shine for a few brief moments. Start with a bang because you may get cut off before you get to the “good part…”
• Keep in mind that people are watching you even while you are sitting in the waiting room. Bad stage parents will get pegged from the start and that could have a negative effect. Occasionally, you may get some attention for being that sort of parent, but that is not really the sort of attention you want for your child…
• Don’t be rude or obnoxious to anyone you talk to even if you do get frustrated or jerked around… 

Open Casting Calls vs. Regular Casting Calls

Some people seem to think that going to regular acting or modeling auditions is like going to an open call.  While for some auditions you may be competing with hundreds or even sometimes thousands of other actors/models, you usually wait no more than an hour to be seen by casting.  When you have a talent agent or manager or when you submit on a casting website, the auditions you attend will seldom be open calls.

For movie auditions and many other theatrical auditions, many people will be seen over the course of the auditions, but only a small number are usually called in to audition on the same day and close to the same time.  The waiting rooms are generally small and you rarely see more than 20 others auditioning there at the same time you are there. You will have a specific audition time, and you need to arrive at that time for your audition.

For some movie or TV auditions, you may be the only person in the waiting room, and sometimes you will be greeted and taken back to audition immediately upon arrival. You may almost wish you had a few minutes to review and gather your thoughts.  If you ask, the casting director will probably allow you a few minutes to prepare before you go back to audition.

For commercial auditions, there will typically be a larger number of people there to audition for the same commercial at about the same time, but probably not more than 30, but the auditions usually go pretty quickly. On some occasions, it may end up taking as long as two hours, but less than an hour is the norm.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Huffington Post, Backstage, Nick Maccarone,

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Open Casting Call / Photo Credit: Bfresh.media