Casting directors are hired on contract by film, video, television and advertising companies to find suitable actors to audition for particular parts or characters. Directors or producers have the final say in who is hired for each part.

Casting directors work closely with performers and film production people. In general, principal casting directors:

• routinely review performers' promotional materials such as photos, resumes of production credits and industry training, demo reels and voice over demo CDs
• review scripts, prepare a succinct breakdown of the nature of each role that needs to be cast, describe characteristics and special requirements for each role, and distribute the information to appropriate talent agencies and self-represented performers
• pre-screen candidates to select the most suitable performers for the director and the producer to see
• facilitate the scheduling of call backs or secondary auditions for those performers the director and producer wish to work with further on a particular role
• research organizations, associations or individuals to cast a specific skill or unique talent such as a fire breathing unicyclist or an Olympic calibre athlete
• negotiate contracts and scheduling between performers or their agents and the production company.

Background casting directors find background performers or extras: stand-ins for lead performers, photo doubles, performers for non-speaking parts and crowd scenes. Scheduling changes for large and small group scenes are not uncommon.

Casting directors often work under tight schedules and conditions vary depending on the director and producer. Travel may be required to audition new talent and meet television or film production people.

There is no particular educational route to enter this field. Casting directors may come from diverse backgrounds:

• theatre and film occupations
• business occupations
• public relations.

Interested individuals who have suitable backgrounds may be able to arrange informal apprenticeships with established casting directors. Post-secondary education in the performance arts and contract negotiation skills are definite assets.

For ACTRA jobs, casting directors must be be familiar with the Alliance of Cinema Television and Radio Artists Independent Production Agreement for film and television productions and the ACTRA Commercial Agreement for television and radio commercials. These agreements outline standards (for example, wage minimums and working conditions for Canadian performers of all ages) that must be followed by members of the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association, the Institute of Communication Agencies, and the Association of Canadian Advertisers.

Casting directors are hired on contract for specific projects by:

• film and video production companies
• advertising agencies
• television and radio stations and networks.

Fewer than ten casting directors are employed in Alberta.

Casting directors negotiate each contract separately. They may negotiate a flat rate or have hourly, daily or weekly wage rates.

Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association website: www.ampia.org

Alliance of Cinema Television and Radio Artists website: www.actra.ca

Alliance of Cinema Television and Radio Artists Alberta website: www.actraalberta.com

Association of Canadian Advertising website: www.aca-online.com

Canadian Film and Television Production Association website: www.cftpa.ca

Casting Society of America website: www.castingsociety.com

Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca

Institute of Communication Agencies website: www.icacanada.ca

Women in Film and Television - Alberta website: www.wifta.ca

Women in Film and Television - International website: www.wifti.org

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo