As with searching for a traditional modeling agency, there are certain things to keep in mind when trying to figure out which companies would be worth your time and which ones you should probably skip out on.
Keep in mind that not all casting agencies are created equal and only through research and careful consideration can you find the one tailored for your needs.
START LOCAL THEN BRANCH OUT
The good thing about living in or near a medium and large size modeling market is the fact that you'll likely have easy access to a casting agency or two (or three!). Starting local is not only practical, it's convenient and cost-effective because the majority of the castings and projects you could book through the casting agency will be in your neck of the woods.
The larger casting agencies that focus on projects nationwide are all well and good but focusing on submitting yourself to local projects is a great way to get your foot in the door, as well as network with clients, photographers and other industry professionals.
When that happens, your chances for booking future work through word-of-mouth and a previous working relationship will increase--all bonuses for you.
Don't live in a market that has a good casting agency or no casting agency at all? Then you can consider the larger online versions that post for projects within your state, as well as across the country.
REVIEW MEMBERSHIP PLAN OPTIONS
The best casting agencies give you options and don't force you to pay the same fee as everyone else. Being able to choose a membership plan that fits your needs is a safe and smart way to check out what a casting agency has to offer and test drive the quality of its services before jumping in and paying money you may be ready or comfortable spending yet.
Even better is if the casting agency has a free membership plan. Although the free profiles are obviously going to be limited, it's a nice way to test the waters and see how you like using the website without any financial commitment.
Quality casting agencies understand that affordability is important to their customers and the range of plans they offer should reflect that.
Also note if the fees must be paid monthly, annually, etc. and what methods of payment they accept.
WHAT ELSE DO THEY DO?
One of the many benefits of being a member of a casting agency is access to other services outside of connecting you with projects looking for models/talent. A majority offer resources related to workshops for everything from acting and public speaking to recommendations/referrals for photographers.
In most cases, these resources have been vetted by the casting agency or come recommended because they have worked with or recognize the quality and integrity of the individual/company they are affiliated with. Sometimes being a member of a casting agency will open you up to special offers, discounts on certain services or even the inside scoop on upcoming workshops, specials or other happenings before anyone else.
Additionally, most casting agencies offer to take free digital snapshots of you to keep for their files and for you to use for your profile registered with the casting agency. This allows them to have the most up-to-date images of you and while it isn't a full on photoshoot, it's a wonderful option for newbies who don't have digital snapshots of their own to upload to their profile.
Having a casting agency that serves as a type of "one stop shop" is convenient and allows you to find the assistance you're looking for depending on what you need help with in regards to your modeling and/or acting career.
QUALITY OF PROJECTS
It won't take long to see whether the projects being listed on a casting agency's site are good or not. Sometimes you'll get some funky ones (no site is perfect) but in general the more reputable casting agencies won't allow just anyone to post a project on their site.
If you've ever searched through gigs on places like Craigslist, you should be able to tell the difference between a sketchy post and one that is a real opportunity. Legitimate casting agencies know how important screening posts are and they often require specific information before approving a project to be posted and sent out to its members.
Unlike a Craigslist post (or other online anonymous casting sites and forums), most casting agency projects will require specific information: client/company name, project name, the type of project (i.e. photo shoot, fashion show, live event, etc.), usage, casting/shoot dates, submission guidelines and an explanation of what they are looking for.
In general, always be wary of posts that seem too good to be true, such as modeling assignments that want you to travel out of the country and are paying hundreds to thousands of dollars. Play it safe and always use common sense when submitting to projects you get matched up for.
AUDITION/CASTING PROCESS
Local casting agencies not only connect clients with their database of models/talent, they provide audition/casting space at their location (at least a majority of them do). While direct bookings do happen--where the client doesn't require an in-person audition--one of the perks for both clients and models/talent is the ability to have castings at the office itself.
Having a public, safe and professional environment to meet with clients is very beneficial and a common approach to being considered for a project when a client has expressed interest after reviewing your submission.
It's not a mandatory requirement for clients posting projects through a casting agency to have their audition/castings at the agency's location, however, so don't be worried if you submit and are asked to go someplace that isn't the casting agency office (of course it is important to make sure the space holding the audition isn't a private home or other suspicious location...that's what Google Maps is for, people!).
NO HARD SALES PUSH
Casting agencies that are good at what they do will not hound you via email or phone to entice you to sign up/pay for additional services you didn't ask for or have not expressed an interest in. Nor will they contact you with casting opportunities you "just have to be a part of."
You're already a member and paying the fees for services so their job is done in that regard. Even if you're signed up under a free profile, there is no reason why anyone from the casting agency should be contacting you to convince you to upgrade to a paid membership.
The only exception to this when it comes to free profiles is receiving email alerts listing the benefits of having a paid membership. That's normal but if they're calling you with a hard sales push to get you to cough up money for services and provide your credit card number, that's not okay.
CUSTOMER SERVICE OPTIONS
Whether you opt for a local casting agency or a larger one that focuses on nationwide castings, you want to ensure that you will be able to get in touch with someone should an issue arise. Having a phone number is important. Some casting agencies rely on the typical 800 or 855 number, while more local operations may stick with a local number only.
Casting sites that only provide a contact form or email address but no phone number always make me nervous, especially if it's not a local business with a brick and mortar location you can visit. What if there is a billing issue and all you can do is hope someone returns your email/submitted form?
Casting agencies offering several methods of communication for customer service are the ones worth working with. Thanks to the advancements of technology there are even casting agencies with the Live Chat feature, which is always pretty neat to have available.
REVIEWS
As with any business you're thinking about working with, it doesn't hurt to do a bit of online homework and look up any reviews to see what others think. Try to be fair and realize when certain reviews are clearly written by irate individuals with an ax to grind.
It's also a good idea to ask around and see if you know any friends, family or associates who are signed to a casting agency you're interested in. Personal testimonials are always the best to have for reference.
WEBSITE APPEARANCE/USABILITY
I put this item at the bottom because you shouldn't base a casting agency's credibility solely on the appearance of the website alone but it is something to factor in. Having the fanciest, feature-filled website doesn't automatically mean a casting agency is legit but the more professional the site is, as well as the quality of the features they use and offer to members is important.
Casting agency sites that appear (or are) outdated, have super old looking photos and use very basic technology for features like photo and resume uploads may be ones you'll want to either avoid or push to the bottom of your consideration list.
Think about it: you want to use this as a tool to market yourself to potential clients and projects...do you really want to make a first impression by having your photos and info on a site that you're slightly or really embarrassed by?
Now I will say that small markets where the casting agencies aren't rolling in the dough clearly may not be in a position to have the snazziest site like the competition in larger markets and in those instances, that isn't their fault.
But if you live in an area not known to be the hub of action, it makes sense to consider signing up for a larger casting agency that posts for projects nationwide to get your profile out to a larger base. You could also sign up for the local casting agency even if it isn't the most impressive, as long as they do have quality projects posted and affordable membership fees that match the size of the market and caliber of the work they come across.
You can join as many casting agency sites as you want so once you get more familiar with these types of agencies, their services and benefits, you can easily set yourself up to cover all your bases and submit to projects both large and small, local and nationwide.
Comments
When I did a google search for talent agencies in Arizona, then one for casting agencies, the list of companies displayed was essentially the same. The distinction can be a little vague for the newbie. From a model/actor who is serious about the business, after recently signing a contract with a talent agency, my agent referred me to a couple of different casting agencies. I feel like with my lack of experience, do you agree talent agency is more likely to find me work? For aspiring models and have to have to work in other fields to support themselves for a couple of years while establishing themselves in the industry, and thus have a limited amount of time to read all the casting agency listings, is their time better spent with the talent agency doing the leg work?
Btw, please see my related comments for your blog, "The difference between casting agencies and Talent/Modeling agencies".
Thank you,
Steve Norwood
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!