Finding the Right Actor

One of the most essential parts of making a movie is casting. Finding just the right actor is key to any project’s success. You might ask, “Why is casting so important?” It is because an actor’s performance can transform a character on a page into someone the audience can relate to. How they play the character influences how the character is viewed. To put it simply, it is not usually easy finding the right actor it bring to life the character that you imagine. So what does it take to find the perfect actor for the role?

Prep and Mindset Going Into the Casting Room

It is important to start the casting process knowing a few things. Firstly, you want to understand what taste means, what your tastes are, and how they mesh with everyone else in the casting room’s tastes. Taste is a personal sense that everyone has that can be changed or refined. In the world of casting, it is an important factor in what you are looking for in an actor and will guide who you like and don’t like for the role. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to taste; however, you should be aware that your taste may not be the same as the others in your casting room, and be prepared to trust your taste while working with others to find the perfect actor for your project.

With this, you want to enter the casting room with an open mind. While knowing what you are looking for is necessary, you never want to close the door to new perspectives and ways an actor might portray a character. Someone might surprise you with a new take on a character and it might be what makes the difference between the character you have on paper and the one that audiences will relate to. 

Finally, the most important thing you must know going into the casting room is the material. Whether you are the producer, director, casting director, or assistant, you need to know the story and each character, no matter how big or small the role. Having a good grasp on the project as a whole will not only help you pick out exactly what you are looking for but also allow you to relax on the day and focus on what the actors are giving in their performance. 

What You Should Be Looking for in an Actor?

Every project will have different criteria for what they want in an actor. Be it certain skills, looks, likability, vulnerability, and so on– you will have to consider different factors. You will need to consider different factors if you are picking a voice actor, an actor for an action film, or an actor on a sitcom. But regardless of the specifics, there are a few universal things that need to be considered when looking for the perfect actor

1. Ability to Play - This is whether or not the actor can portray the character. While it might seem simple, the ability to play your character is not something that every actor will have. Acting ability plays a role but it also depends on how the actor can connect with the character and make you believe they are that character. 

2. Authenticity - Authenticity is an actor’s ability to make you connect with their character's emotions, feelings, and thoughts. They make you believe in the world of the film or project. To have authenticity, actors must convince you that they can embody the role and be genuine to who the character is at their core. 

3. Star Power - While this may be the most unclear, star power is what makes this actor more than just someone pretending to be a character. It is more than just looks; it means having a magnetic presence, authenticity, versatility, and ability to connect with audiences. You want your actor to make a good, lasting impression and be someone that audiences remember. 

In the Audition Room

Arguably the most important part of finding the perfect actor for your project is seeing them in the audition room. But as a creative, you must know that the work is not solely on the actor to deliver a good performance. You must make sure that the environment that you see your actors in is conducive to a good audition so that you may see the best of each performer’s ability. 

Don’t give the actors too much material. Actors should never be given more sides than are necessary. If you are only going to have them read from one or two scenes, do not tell them to be familiar with five or six scenes. Be very specific in what you want to see from the actors when you pick the scenes that you want them to read from. If the character goes through a big change, pick one scene that shows the shift and then another where the character is more or less in a normal situation. Allow the actor to focus on the most crucial parts of the character to you. Later in the process, you may decide to have your top picks read more material for you. However, especially during initial auditions, picking targeted scenes and not giving the actors too much will help make the process shorter and smoother, while letting you see what the actor can do with the character. 

The director in the room will be giving notes, or, more accurately, redirects, to the actors in the audition room. As a director, you need to make sure you let them do the sides first without too much guidance, and then you can offer a brief adjustment. Do not over-direct the actor; give redirects quickly and concisely. These redirects should not be overly complex and should simply help guide the actor toward what you are looking for; the audition room is not where you should be trying to mold the actor into the character you imagine. If you have to give an actor the same note multiple times and they cannot make changes, they aren’t the right one for the role. Aim to give no more than two redirects in the audition room. In some cases, working with an actor and molding them to play the character you want can work, but, at the end of the day, you want authenticity and believability, which may not come from someone you have to over-direct.

Additional Tips

There are many ways for you to find your perfect actor. The process will be different for every creative, but keep in mind these tips to make casting your next project easier. 

1. Be as open as you can with your material! This means that if an actor asks you for more information about the project and wants to read the script, give it to them. With student projects, independent films, and even most larger projects, there is usually no need to be so secretive with the work. If an actor asks for the script, let them have a read– it will only help them understand the project and character better. You want to give your actors the best chance they have at showing you how they could fit in the role. 

2. Stay Organized. Typically, the organization gets delegated to a casting associate or assistant, but everyone should do their best to stay organized, especially when looking at a lot of talent. Keep the records straight and the schedule well-paced with not too many breaks between seeing talent so that everything is easily assessable and can stay fresh in everyone’s mind. 

3. Don’t rush the process. It takes time to find the right person. Some might get lucky and find their perfect actor in the first round but it can often take multiple rounds of looking at actors from different backgrounds and experience levels to find the right person. Also, don’t be afraid to use non-traditional casting methods. Looking for actors outside of a traditional casting call by discovering amateur actors, going to different groups and organizations, or finding local non-actors could be just what you need to find your next big star. If you are looking for something very specific, branch out and use your networks to help you find people who can authentically portray the characters you are looking for. You can find and meet new creatives on Auteurnet.

4. Understand the experience from the Actor’s perspective. While you should consider what makes a good self-tape or audition, remember it can be daunting for an actor to step into a new character. Make sure to make the best environment for them to perform. You want your actor to feel comfortable in the room and with you. 

Clearly, there is a lot that goes into finding the right actor for your project. The process might not be easy but the result will be worth it when you find your star and they exceed your expectations. It is important to remember that picking someone for your project is subjective, and who you think might be right may not be right to other people you work with. Trust your instincts and find the actors and creatives that you can trust to deliver your vision. 

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