How to Apply for a Casting Call: Making the Most of Your Application

Applying for a casting call takes one click on Casting.mt. But what happens before and after that click matters as much as the click itself.

Before you apply

Read the casting call properly. Not a skim; a proper read. Productions describe exactly what they are looking for, and applying for a role that clearly does not match your type is a waste of everyone's time and can reflect poorly on your professionalism.

Check your profile before applying. Is your headshot current? Is your bio up to date? Are your most recent credits listed? Productions who receive your application will immediately visit your profile. Make sure what they find represents you well.

The covering note

When applying, you have the option to include a short covering note. Use it. But use it well.

A covering note should be:

• Short: three to five sentences maximum
• Specific: reference something particular about the role or the production
• Professional: not casual, not overly familiar
• Honest: do not claim skills or experience you do not have

A covering note that says "I would love to be considered for this role as I feel I could bring a lot to the character" tells the production nothing. A covering note that says "I have worked in two previous productions in this genre and have specific experience with the physical demands this role requires" gives them a reason to look at your profile more carefully.

After you apply

Once you have applied, your profile has been seen. The production will review applications on their own schedule and in their own time. Do not contact the production directly to follow up unless they have specifically invited that.

Use the time to keep your profile updated, keep applying for other roles, and keep developing your craft. The actors who build careers are the ones who stay active and do not pin everything on a single application.

If you do not hear back

Most productions receive far more applications than they have roles for. Not hearing back is not a reflection of your ability or your future prospects. It is the nature of casting. Keep going.