The 6 Stages of Casting Actors (Part 2)
(2) The First Callback (Watching Actor Chemistry)
Callbacks are different from an audition because it’s here where you pair up the actors to watch the chemistry between them. For this first callback you will want to spend more time with the actors so you should budget about 15 minutes per session.
Also, all the actors should show up at the same time (if possible) so you can mix-and-match them as you see fit. If applicable, choose a different scene for them to read than the one from their first audition.
Before any callback, make a list of the actors you want to read together and give it to the Casting Director as soon as possible. Depending on their personal schedules, the first actors you would like to read for you should be the ones you are most interested in. If they work out, those first readings will be the “standard” you gauge the other actors’ performances.
- Depending on the size and budget of the film, the number of people that attend the first callback session are the Director, Producer, Casting Director and Cameraperson. (There is no Reader)
- Tell the Casting Director the order you would like to see each grouping of two actors.
- (3 – 13) (Follow the same procedure as the first audition.)
- At the end of the first callback session, the Director, Casting Director and Producer compare notes and decide on a short list of actors to bring back to the second callback session. For this last session, you will want the top 2 actor choices for each role to come back.
- (Reviewing, evaluating and critiquing the first callback performance is the same as the audition.)
TIP: Start thinking about the blocking of a scene during your casting callback sessions by experimenting with the actors during their callbacks.
(3) The Second Callback (Deciding Who IS Right)
At this final callback you now have 2 actors competing for each role. Have all the actors show up at the same time so you can mix-and-match them and if possible, choose a new scene for them to perform together. You should budget about 20 minutes per session.
1 – 13 (Follow the same procedure as the first callback session.)
- At the end of this second callback session, the Director, Casting Director and Producer compare notes and decide on the final cast of the film. The Casting Director or Producer send out an offer to each actor’s agent and the negotiations, waiting games and film schedule changes begin!
- (Reviewing, evaluating and critiquing the second callback performance is the same as the first callback.)
NOTE: Depending on how these two callback sessions have gone, you may want to schedule several more callback sessions to “fine tune” your actor choices. Again, this will depend on the time you have and the budget of your film, as well as how much experience you have as a director.
Part B. Optional Casting Interviews and Tests
The next three parts of the casting process are Optional. Most directors who follow the first three parts of this casting process will never use these options because by the time they complete the second callback, they have had enough opportunity to view and choose the best actors for their film.
However, if you still can’t decide between two actors for a role, OR you are working on a big budget movie and have the time, OR you are working for a studio or network who insist on screen tests and interviews, OR you are working with a major star who is already part of the picture deal and has approval on the other lead actors, these last three options will help you and your producer to finally decide on your most critical casting choices.
(4) Checking References (Who has Worked with Them)
Checking actor references is something you can probably do on your own. Screen some of their previous films and get the names of the directors who worked with them. If you can, contact these directors and talk to them about their experiences (good or bad) working with the actor. It’s always interesting to hear what another director has to say about an actor after they have worked with them on the set for a few weeks or a few months.
(5) Actor Interviews (Getting to Know Them)
Informal interviews, such as going for coffee or dinner, are a great way to get to know the actor personally and also help create trust between the actor and the director.
Many times the choice of an actor comes down to how the director and the actor can get along personally – especially if the role is very emotional and dramatic and/or the shooting schedule is long and demanding. (And don’t forget, during this meeting the actor is also “interviewing” you!)
(6) Screen Tests (When in Doubt)
There are basically two versions of a screen test. The first screen test is a “filmed first audition” by an actor if they are not available to come to your casting session because they are on holiday or on location shooting another film.
In these cases the actors are sent the sides (the scene pages you want them to read) as well as exact instructions on the adjustment you want them to make after their first reading. The actors usually get a friend or colleague to run the camera and also be the reader.
The video quality of these filmed auditions is usually not very good (it may have been shot with a cell phone camera in a hotel room at night) but you should get a good idea of the actor’s physicality and their performance based on the adjustment you gave them. If this filmed audition works out, then arrangements are made for the actor to have a live audition with the director.
The second kind of screen test is one that is professionally shot by a film crew and the director after the casting sessions are completed. The actors who are asked to do this kind of screen test are usually auditioning for a major role on a movie or as a lead character in a TV series.
These “management” screen tests are viewed by the director, producers and studio executives so they can get a good look at the actor’s performance as well as what the actor physically look like on film.
Copyright (c) 2020 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved
Recent Comments