Times are changing and technology is playing a major role in the future of work. People are looking for ways to stay safe, yet productive in these times. Necessity is the mother of invention as we are seeing traditional businesses convert online to keep revenue flowing. Companies like Upwork, Zoom, Postmates and others are thriving as people social distance and seek their needs on-demand. 

Casting is evolving at a rapid pace since COVID-19 and we must adapt to the future. In this blog we will cover the most effective online casting techniques to keep you ahead of the game and your business thriving.

Define Your Project

To begin your online casting search, you must first define your project. There are many different types of talent with different skills and experience. You need to get specific about what it is that you are casting. Is it a commercial casting, an 

ecommerce photo shoot casting, a company explainer video casting, an 

influencer casting, or other? Each project is different and will require a different set of casting requirements. For instance, casting a model to take a product photo and

posting to Instagram is different than casting actors for hire to do explainer videos for your website or company training. You will need to find the right talent with the right skill set to make your project come to life. Here are some types of projects to consider:

• Product photo shoot
• Explainer Videos
• Company Testimonials
• Catalog Photos
• Commercial Campaign

Online Casting Platforms

There are numerous online casting platforms to help you find the talent you are looking for. Each platform is different, but narrowing your search will help you pick the perfect site for your casting needs. Here is a quick snapshot of the different casting sites out there.

Originally a news publication, Backstageis a top rated online job board dating back to 1960 with a subscription based model which allows talent to sign up and apply for jobs for a monthly fee. If you are casting a project looking for an actor, model or talent which requires an audition or offline submission process, Backstage allows you to post a job, message talent and receive online submissions. They do charge a job post fee, depending on the amount of exposure you wish your job to receive. Backstage does not ensure employment or manage payment which all happens offline.

Is the leading provider of casting and audition management software to the casting industry.

Casting directors and agents worldwide use Casting Networksto source and manage talent across film, television, digital and commercials projects. Much like Backstage Casting Networks allows talent to apply for jobs for a fee, however they do not charge to post a job. If you need audition services, for live auditions there is an additional fee involved. Casting networks also does not ensure employment or manage payment.

Designed to provide casting services for acting jobs in the entertainment industry.

Casting directors have the option to release Breakdowns to actors and receive submissions directly from talent on the database through Actors Access. This online service is a great tool for talent to showcase their profile and apply for jobs by paying a fee.

Is a highly respected on-demand marketplace for actors, models and talent nationwide. If you are seeking non-union talent and want a streamlined database to

search, hire and pay talent – Castango is the best all in one solution. No fees to post or apply for jobs both companies and talent can communicate and transact online saving time and money. You simply post a job to get started. There are thousands of talents nationwide with professional profiles looking for work. Castango is both user friendly and efficient casting platform around.

Search Talent

Once you decide which platform will suit your casting needs, you can begin to

search for talent. It all starts with a great job post and setting the stage for the best applicants to apply. The beauty of online casting is that it is all done virtually. Once the job is posted you will begin receiving submissions and can search talent directly by sending a message for those sites which allow it. So, let’s start with how to write a job post. This is going to be the most important step to ensure you get the best applicants and talent to take notice.

Here are some things to think about when posting a job:

• Time frame/ Location – What city and state are you looking for talent and what is the time frame? City and state are pretty straight forward, but be clear about the time commitment. Is it a 1 day, 1 week- or month-long shoot? If it is a commercial casting you may be able to shoot everything in one day, but it if it is a product photography job or influencer casting you may need a few weeks or even month to get the job done. Be clear on the time frame from start to finish.
• Type of talent – You want to specify the skill set you are looking for. Although there are multi-talented artists out there you want to dial in on the exact type to attract the right applicants. Is it an actor, model, influencer, fitness model, dancer , etc. For a commercial or explainer video you may want someone with acting experience who is comfortable on camera. For a print or product photo shoot you will want a model who has experience posing and knows how to work the camera. Be clear and as specific as possible.
• The Look – Defining the exact look you want, and need cannot be stated enough. Who is the target audience you are looking to attract? Diversity is important. Is it POC, Millennial Woman, Baby Boomer, Fashion Model 6 feet or taller? It could be as simple as stating that you need a Male Model for a men’s fitness line. If you do not specify gender, you could end up with a bunch of female applicants. The goal is to be clear about your objective in your job post.
• Budget – Your budget should be two-fold, first what type of talent do you need and how much you can afford. This is so important and honestly the part that may companies get wrong. The type of talent you need will impact your budget. Note, talent are paid by the project, not by the hour. This is where many companies get confused. It’s not how long they worked but the usage and exposure their image or video will receive. Remember the greater the exposure the greater the cost. For instance, if you are shooting a national commercial that will be aired over and over for 1 year this will be maximum exposure and cost more than an ecommerce shoot for one product that will rotate monthly. It’s true what they say, you get what you pay for. Highly skilled and experienced talent will also be looking for a higher pay rate. Typically, jobs start at $250 per day and can go up to $15,000 or more depending on the booking. Setting a flat rate is usually the best bet to attract the best talent pool.
• Job Duties – You need to be clear about the job duties. What is to be expected in terms of delivery to achieve success, so everyone is on the same page. If it is an acting job, how much dialogue is involved? There is a difference between 1 line and 2 pages of dialogue to be memorized. All of these things will need to be taken into consideration before a talent accepts a job. If it’s a product shoot, what is the turnaround time you need the images? Be as clear as possible regarding their job and duties.

Communicating With Talent

Once you have successfully posted your job with all of the required details talent will be notified and you will begin to receive submissions. This can happen immediately, but may take a few days to get the best submissions so be patient and give yourself ample time to cast. Rushing this process will never give you the best results. It’s exciting to see the interest in your job and you will need to put on your casting hat to dial in on the perfect fit. No one knows your brand better than you, so you can do it

and will feel accomplished when you do. Most online casting sites have multimedia profiles of talent for you to review with photos, images, statistics and even video. If you need more photos or a video audition sites like Castango allow talent to upload their images and footage directly through the platform making it easy to decide. When you find someone of interest some sites will allow you to communicate directly through the website and learn more. Once you find the perfect match you can begin your booking process.

On-Demand Booking

Hiring talent is often the most time intensive part of the casting process. Dealing with paperwork and contracts offline can be time consuming and inefficient. The beauty of online casting is that it allows you to lay out all of the details in advance which saves time and money. By taking control of the casting process you can eliminate high agency fees, leaving more funds available for the job. Some sites do not manage payment after you find your match, thus you must do it on your own or with sites like Castango you can pay your talent online creating an all in one seamless process. Imagine having the ability to search, hire and

pay talent on-demand. This is the future of casting. Castango is the one stop shop for all of your online casting needs. It’s truly revolutionary and in line with where our economy is today. Remote capabilities to ensure success finding the perfect match for your casting needs.

In Conclusion

Our world has changed, but this does not inhibit your ability to continue your marketing and casting efforts to hire talent and have successful shoots. I hope these tips help you navigate the waters and take control of the process to save time and money. If you have any additional questions or need help casting talent you can

reach us directly at 800-778-8790 or sign up at www.castango.com and post a job for

free. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @castangoinc for daily tips. Best of luck!