12/28/2022
Every day, actors ask me how to find auditions. That's why I decided to create an Ultimate Guide that will show you everything you need to know.
In this article, we'll dive deep on the three fastest ways to find auditions:
- Online casting sites: learn which are most trustworthy and how to improve your chances of getting called in
- Social media: learn how to find consistent auditions and become friends with casting directors without being spammy or annoying
- Networking: learn how to do it easily to start getting access to high-level roles without an agent
- Plus a few extra ways to find auditions – particularly if you're not based in a major city
How to Find Auditions
Finding auditions can be hard, and if you have no agent or manager to help (or you're not near a major city), it can be even harder!
In this article I'll outline how to find auditions without an agent since it can take actors many years to get an agent.
However, if you really want an agent, I recommend you check out How to Get an Acting Agent: The Ultimate Guide and Agent vs. Manager: Which is Right for You?
How to Find Auditions Without an Agent
There are four primary ways to find auditions if you don't have representation. In this Ultimate Guide, we'll dive deep on each:
- Self-Submitting Through Online Casting Websites: There are a few key websites for acting where you can create a free or paid profile and start finding almost daily opportunities to submit yourself to auditions. Using online casting websites is probably the fastest and most straightforward way to find auditions, and I recommend you start here.
- Connecting Through Social Media: You can connect with casting directors and other industry gatekeepers through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms, which will inevitably lead to more auditions. If you love social media, this might be right for you, but if you're not into it, feel free to skip over this one.
- Networking in Other Ways: Most people hate the word networking, but the fact is, if you really want access to higher-level auditions without an agent), you'll have to network directly with people in the industry. Most online casting website and social media casting calls are for low-quality roles (unpaid, non-union gigs for independent and student films). Networking directly with casting directors is the only [almost] guaranteed way to start getting access to legit film, TV & theater auditions. You can do this during regular times of the year AND pilot season!
- Being Creative: There are plenty of other creative ways to find auditions, including contacting your local film production office, perusing local theater websites, and even joining local school casting lists.
Now, before we dive into each method in detail, it's critical to make sure your three primary marketing materials are up to date, otherwise no matter how many times you submit yourself or ask for opportunities, you'll never be taken seriously:
- Headshot: If you're just looking for unpaid student projects to start getting experience, you don't have to spend much money on your headshot. You might even be able to get away with having a friend take your photo for free (though I generally advise against this). However, if you want to start getting any paid work, you MUST have a highly-polished, professional headshot – it's the most critical first step to getting work as an actor. Read my Ultimate Guide to Actor Headshots here.
- Resume: As with your headshot, if you're only going after unpaid productions, you can totally get away with using a non-professionally-formatted resume. But if you want to be taken seriously and start getting auditions for better productions, you MUST have a highly-polished PDF format version of your resume. Read my Ultimate Guide to Actor Resumes here (I include a free resume template as well).
- Footage: Many actors think they need a super professional reel to get auditions, but this couldn't be further from the truth. The fact is, most casting directors care less about the professionalism of the footage and more about how well you can act. All you really need is 1-2 clips of you performing monologues standing against a flat wall. Make sure the lighting is decent and you can be clearly heard, and you should be good to go (as long as your acting is good)! To learn more about your footage & reel, check out my Ultimate Guide to Demo Reels. And if you want high end footage for your reel, you can join our free Actor Roster.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that you submit for auditions you're right for – auditions that are within your Type. If you're not sure your Type yet, you can download my free guide: How to Find Your Type in Just 10 Minutes
Once those are up to date, follow the rest of this guide to start finding auditions. And if you're already finding auditions and submitting to them... but you're just not getting called in, check out my guide called The Mathematics Strategy for WAY More Auditions.
Related Guide: How Go You Get Into Commercial Auditions?
How to Find Auditions – Method #1:
Self-Submitting Through Online Casting Websites
Online casting sites are the most reliable place to find auditions. Websites like Casting Networks, Backstage, and Actor's Access are great resources – all you need to do is create a profile, upload your headshot, resume, and footage, and then start self-submitting to the casting calls that show up in your inbox. |
