5 Tips on How to Run a Successful Casting

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Believe it or not, but I’ve actually been involved in the casting of many runway models over the past few years. I’m part of The Curve Fashion Festival team, and it’s part of my job description to assist in annual castings of nearly 30 women for the country’s biggest and most exciting event in the plus size calendar. I’ve actually got a little experience in this space.

The same rules essentially apply for all different types of castings, beyond model ones. I may not have the experience of Brian Posen when it comes to this type of thing, but I’m confident that anyone would be able to follow along and create their own successful casting.

These are the five things you need to consider when you’re setting up a casting:

1. Give Clear Instructions

If you want to meet your objectives, you need to make sure that you give instructions that everyone understands. Whether you need everyone to dress a particular way, or you need to , be sure to tell everyone beforehand. If you’re only looking for people that fit a particular criteria, state it with absolute clarity. If you can’t be sure that it’s completely clear, get someone else to check it for you beforehand.

2. Look at What the Competition is Doing

Competition is a great thing, and the more insights you can get from other experts, the better. If you have the opportunity to go along to a casting from other production, do so. Take notes and consider why they may have done things a certain way, and how it may benefit you to follow their lead.

3. Give Plenty of Notice

In order to find the best talent for whatever your production is, you’re going to have to make sure that you give as much notice of the casting as possible. You want maximum exposure for it, so go to all of the places your target audience are likely to see and make sure they’re aware. And make sure they have plenty of time to prepare themselves and clear their schedule for the occasion. There’s no use in giving people a few days of notice, as it’s likely that you will end up with those least qualified for the task.

4. Be Open-Minded

Sometimes you get people that come to the casting that don’t quite meet your expectations, but may be useful for another aspect of your work. It’s important that you don’t have tunnel vision with this, and that you think about everywhere that they could fit in.

5. Be Ruthless

There’s no point on being on the fence. There’s no point in being indecisive. You have to make choices and they have to be final. The casting is early in the process, and you will have the chance to cut down further later on. At this stage you need to get rid of as many ‘Maybes’ as possible, because it’s going to be a lot harder whittling down the final few than it will at this point in the process.