As another pilot season grinds away, I find that the questions asked and comments made by actors highlight a fundamental lack of understanding as to casting directors do and why they do it.
So, let’s look at the other side of the desk.
What Are the Different Types of Casting Directors? There are two genres of casting directors: Those who work at a studio or network and oversee pilot casting and independent casting directors whom the networks and studios hire to do the actual casting. As with actors, casting directors must compete for those jobs. There are a lot of casting directors so, in order to get work, they must stay in the good graces of those who can approve them. As with anyone who is hired, casting directors can and do get fired.
Years ago the relationship between the buyers (networks) and the sellers (the studios or producers) was a partnership, and casting directors were an integral part of the equation. The networks respected the producer’s vision and, while they still had the ultimate right of approval, they did not bully them into hiring only actors whom they wanted. Added to this, the networks are in fierce competition with each other over the select actors whom they consider “gets.” The
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