CASTINGS: WHAT TO EXPECT

Castings

As parents of little superstars, you can expect the unexpected with castings in the talent industry.

Clients will often request talent for castings with less than 24 hours’ notice. At Bettina Management, we are used to these last-minute requests, however for kids and parents it may be daunting and stressful.

Here are our top tips for a smooth casting from start to finish:

1. Keep a watchful eye on your emails.

This is how we will contact you with casting details including what the campaign and potential role is, the date, time and location, and any extra details such as scripts or wardrobe requirements. We will follow up this email with automated text prompts and/or a phone call. You will also receive vital call sheets for successfully booked jobs via email.

2. Keep in close contact with us.

Please email back to let us know as soon as possible if your child can or cannot attend the casting. This is vital in maintaining our strong relationships with clients. If your child cannot attend the casting, the client will seek to fill in their spot with another child. If we don’t receive a reply within the required timeframe, we will be forced to list your child as unavailable for the casting.

If you have any questions, reply to our email and we will get back to you promptly. If you cannot attend a certain time, let us know and we will contact the client regarding any possible changes to your casting time.

Casting dates are not flexible. If you confirm your child’s attendance but then cannot attend a casting for any reason (e.g. illness, accident), please advise us as soon as you know. Your child will not be penalised: we understand that these things do happen, however it is extremely important for us to notify the client.

3. Keep yourself and your child prepared.

As we are responsible for coordinating hundreds of castings each month, it is up to you to stay informed about your child’s casting details. We may send opportunities to you on the day of the casting: it is important to be ready for these last-minute appointments. Stay on top of your emails and ensure your child knows how soon these opportunities may arise.

“Be prepared with scripts for acting auditions and be sure to practice prior to the casting and again in the car on the way,” says our Regional Casting Manager, Brodie.

Check out our YouTube channel for extra industry tips and tricks.

4. Keep your child neat and presentable.

Take note of any wardrobe requirements in the casting details. Try to comply with these requirements to the best of your ability. If there are no wardrobe requirements, dress your child in a smart casual outfit. For after school castings, bring this outfit for your child to change into in the car. Avoid school uniform at castings! Keeping a comb or hairbrush in the car for a quick tidy up is a great way to keep your superstar looking fresh and ready to go.

5. Keep an eye on the time.

First impressions matter! Make sure you aren’t late to your casting, or that you don’t arrive too early. The client will want to ensure a child is reliable and on time when choosing a child for the role.

“Punctuality is key… five minutes early is enough,” says Brodie.

You and your child’s behaviour at a casting will reflect on us as an agency, and has the potential to affect our relationships with clients. As always, our talent is respectful and well-behaved, and castings are no exception to this.

6. Keep building your child’s confidence.

Encourage your child to always use their best manners at castings and teach them to introduce themselves.

“Hello, my name is ____ and I’m from Bettina Management,” demonstrates a high level of confidence with just a simple sentence. It’s also really nice to thank the casting directors when you leave,” says Brodie.

If they are old enough, encourage your child to go into a casting independently and reassure them that you’ll be right outside waiting. A display of confidence, sureness and independence in a casting is a sure way for your child to catch a client’s attention. This shows the client that your child can work comfortably and effectively for some time without being attached to their parent, and that they can be their most authentic selves.

7. Keep being patient.

It is normal to want to know the outcome of your child’s casting immediately. However, the talent industry has no set timeframe for confirming a child’s role in a job. It may be days or weeks until you hear an outcome.

Please refrain from calling the agency to check the outcome of your child’s casting, as we won’t have any more information than you until we hear from the client. As soon as we hear if your child has been selected for the role, we will contact you immediately.

8. Keep a positive outlook.

If you don’t hear from us for a significant period of time, it is likely that your child has been unsuccessful in this instance, and you should assume so. It’s just the way that the industry works: unfortunately not every child can be chosen. Dwelling on unsuccessful castings will not be of benefit to your child; instead, encourage them to prepare for a future casting, and build their confidence even further.

You can expect that your child may feel disheartened, however it is important to remind them that every casting they attend is strengthening their knowledge and ability to work in the industry.

We hope that these tips have given you an insight to the world of castings with us at Bettina Management. We always strive to maintain strong relationships with our talent and clients, and look forward to the same in return.

Good luck at your next casting!