The Actor's Toolkit
My Three Favorite Tools to Grow Your Career
Tool #1: Pro Actor Resume Templates
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Actor Resume Checklist
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Now if you want to better understand and implement each of the above into your resume, I highly recommend reading my Ultimate Guide to Actor Resumes.
Tool #2: The Top Reliable Casting Sites
Start Getting Auditions to Build Your Resume
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 tool I'll outline the top six websites where you can find auditions reliably so you don't have to worry about getting an agent.
Let's dive right in:
In this tool I'll outline the top six websites where you can find auditions reliably so you don't have to worry about getting an agent.
Let's dive right in:
The Top 6 Casting Websites#1: BACKSTAGE Backstage is one of the most well-known casting sites. It's been around for years and started as a hard-copy magazine back in 1960. It's now one of the most popular websites/online magazines read by actors, directors, producers, and other industry professionals. Here are some of the perks Backstage offers it's subscribers:
My take: I highly recommend joining and paying for Backstage on an annual basis – how can you beat that deal? #2: ACTOR'S ACCESS Actor's Access is owned by Breakdown Services, Ltd. which is the industry-standard website for professional network film & TV breakdowns – major projects you see on television and in movie theaters around the country. Because of that, it's much more likely that you'll find high-level projects on Actor's Access than on other casting sites. The downside is that the professional roles available are typically very niche – it's only when casting directors need an actor with a very particular look or skillset that they will post their project to Actor's Access. Another thing to keep in mind is that you cannot have the same name as any other actor with an Actor's Access profile, (meaning you might need to think up a stage name). This is because Actor's Access and Breakdown Services work under SAG-AFTRA rules. Fun fact: Michael Keaton was forced to create his stage name under this rule because he was born as Michael Douglas, a name that was already taken! Here's some of the perks:
My take: I highly recommend joining Actor's Access PLUS – $68 is absolutely worth it. #3: CASTING NETWORKS Casting Networks is similar to Backstage, though slightly less well-known. It offers auditions in most major markets, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Talent agents and managers often use this service to manage their actor's profiles, but you can also create a profile for yourself using their platform for a nominal fee. Some Casting Networks perks include:
My take: I highly recommend joining Casting Networks if you can't find enough auditions to submit to using both Actor's Access and Backstage. #4: PROJECT CASTING Project Casting is similar to both Backstage and Casting Networks in that you won't find major productions on it but you will be able to find paid and unpaid indie audition opportunities. It's primarily focused on commercial and modeling gigs. Features include:
My take: I recommend Project Casting if you're primarily interested in getting commercial work. #5: THEATRE IN... Theatre In [Chicago / LA / New York / DC] is a great site for unrepresented actors to find theatrical auditions. You can also use the site to find shows to go see in your area. Unlike the other sites outlined, Theatre In does not offer the ability to create an online profile. Instead, audition notices are simply posted on the site and you need to reach out directly to the casting directors involved. Features include:
My take: I highly recommend Theater In if you're looking for theatrical auditions. You can't beat free! #6: PERFORMINK PerformInk is another free resources in which actors can find primarily stage auditions (and occasional film opportunities). You can use the online search feature to find auditions that fit your look and Type. Features include:
My take: I highly recommend PerformInk if you're looking for theatrical auditions. Like Theater In, free is always good! #7: BONUS RESOURCES Depending on your region and the kind of acting work you're looking to do, you should also consider checking out the following casting sites:
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In order to increase your chances of being invited to an audition when using online casting websites, you should always use the following 3 strategies:
- Plan to pay if you want better results. Some of these sites will allow you to create a profile and submit yourself for free, but I don't recommend that. Plan to pay at least $100-200/year for best results. That's less than $17 a month, which is TOTALLY worth it in my opinion to build your career. The fact is, because so many other actors are unwilling to pay, you'll instantly put yourself WAY ahead of everyone else because your submission will show up towards the top of the pile. Look at your acting career as a business – you MUST be willing to spend some money on marketing if you want to find gigs.
- Turn on email notifications and respond FAST. Did you know that most actors who take more than 16 hours to respond to a casting call are never even considered? Casting directors work fast and actors who respond within just a few hours have the highest shot of being called in. Most casting sites allow you to get an automatic daily roundup email informing you of all the casting calls for your age, gender, and ethnicity. This can save tons of time from having to comb through hundreds of audition opportunities each day to find ones you're right for, and will allow you to respond much more quickly.
- Beware of scams. Beware of any auditions that require you to pay money to apply perform. You should be the one being paid – not them. Also, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Anything that promises huge pay, lots of fame, etc., is almost never real because those auditions are usually reserved for Breakdown Services, LTD., the casting call service that only talent agents have access to.
Tool #3: Agency Contact Info
Connect With 140 Agencies Across the Globe
This resource includes the website, submissions instructions, phone number, and email address of over 140 legitimate agencies around the world.
BUT BE CAREFUL WITH IT.
Before mass-mailing out your contact info, I strongly encourage you to read this in-depth guide I've created called How to Get a Talent Agent: The Ultimate Guide.
I outline the best strategy to follow to maximize your chances of being called in, while minimizing your chances of getting your photo plastered on their "wall of shame" (yes, that's a real thing).
Most agents won't sign a brand new actor, so it's your responsibility to first use some of the casting websites listed in Tool #2 to start getting auditions to build your resume.
Then, once you're ready, you can come back to try your hand at getting an agent.
BUT BE CAREFUL WITH IT.
Before mass-mailing out your contact info, I strongly encourage you to read this in-depth guide I've created called How to Get a Talent Agent: The Ultimate Guide.
I outline the best strategy to follow to maximize your chances of being called in, while minimizing your chances of getting your photo plastered on their "wall of shame" (yes, that's a real thing).
Most agents won't sign a brand new actor, so it's your responsibility to first use some of the casting websites listed in Tool #2 to start getting auditions to build your resume.
Then, once you're ready, you can come back to try your hand at getting an agent.
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I hope you enjoyed The Actor's Toolkit! I've helped over 15,000 actors move their careers forward, and I hope that one day we can all end the cliche of "the starving artist" together. If you enjoyed this resource, be on the lookout for the emails I send each week with strategies and hacks to move your career forward. I hope to hear of your future success! - Martin Bentsen Actor Marketing Coach |
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