The most effective casting call methods vary per project, but digital castings and closed castings often deliver the best results for professional campaigns. Digital methods offer wide reach and efficient selection, while closed castings ensure targeted talent selection. The choice depends on factors such as budget, timeline and the desired model type for your specific project.
What are the different types of casting call methods?
There are five main types of casting call methods that each offer their own advantages. Open castings are open to everyone and attract large numbers of candidates, while closed castings are only accessible to invited talent via modeling agencies.
Digital castings use online platforms where models can upload their portfolios and submit video auditions. This method has fundamentally changed the casting industry by removing geographical limitations and accelerating the selection process.
Self-tape auditions ask models to record videos at home according to specific instructions. This saves time and costs for both casting directors and models. Street castings on the other hand search for authentic, undiscovered talent in public places such as shopping centers or universities.
Each method suits different project needs:
- Open castings: suitable for large campaigns seeking diversity
- Closed castings: ideal for high-end fashion and luxury brands
- Digital castings: perfect for international projects
- Self-tape auditions: convenient for quick selections and budget-conscious projects
- Street castings: effective for authentic, realistic campaigns
How do you choose the right casting method for your project?
Choosing the right casting method depends on the project type, the budget and the timeline. Fashion campaigns often require closed castings for experienced models, while commercial advertisements benefit from open castings for more diversity and authenticity.
Budget plays a crucial role in method selection. Digital castings and self-tape auditions are cost-effective because they eliminate travel costs and enable faster selections. Traditional live castings cost more, but offer direct interaction and better assessment of personality and movement.
The timeline also determines the approach. For urgent projects, digital methods are ideal, as models can respond within 24–48 hours. Extensive campaigns can benefit from a combination of methods to find the perfect match.
Consider these factors when making your choice:
- The campaign’s target audience and desired brand image
- The available budget for casting and model fees
- The timeline from pre-production to shoot date
- The geographical reach of the talent you want to access
- The complexity of the role and required experience
Which casting methods work best for commercial campaigns?
For commercial campaigns, digital castings combined with open calls are usually most effective. This approach maximizes diversity and authenticity, which is crucial for brands that want to appeal to a broad audience and seek recognizable faces.
Commercial projects require models who can represent consumers rather than traditional fashion models. Male models and female models for commercial work must appear natural and approachable on camera.
Self-tape auditions work particularly well for commercial castings because they show candidates’ natural personalities. Models can record auditions at home in peace, resulting in more authentic expressions and movements that perfectly suit commercial objectives.
Street casting remains valuable for specific commercial projects seeking real people. This method often finds unique faces and personalities that are not available through traditional modeling agencies, creating striking and memorable campaigns.
The combination of different methods creates a diverse talent pool representing various demographic groups, which is essential for successful commercial campaigns in today’s market.
Why have digital casting calls become increasingly popular?
Digital casting calls have become more popular due to their efficiency, cost savings and global reach. This method eliminates geographical limitations and enables casting directors to assess talent from different countries without travel costs or logistical challenges.
Technological advances have made digital platforms more user-friendly and professional. Models can now create high-quality videos with smartphones and upload them directly to casting platforms. This democratizes the casting process and gives more people access to opportunities.
Remote auditions save considerable time for everyone involved. Casting directors can view hundreds of auditions in a fraction of the time that traditional live castings would cost. Models don’t need to take days off or travel for auditions that may not lead to bookings.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital castings, but the benefits prove so significant that many companies have permanently integrated this method. Digital castings also enable better documentation and comparison of candidates through stored videos.
Modern casting platforms offer advanced filtering options allowing clients to set specific criteria for age, ethnic background, experience and other characteristics, resulting in more targeted and effective talent selection.
How Matt Faces helps with effective casting methods
We combine different casting methods to find the perfect models for each client. Our experience with both traditional and digital casting techniques enables us to choose the most effective approach for your specific project needs and objectives.
Our casting approach includes:
- Personal consultation to understand your project requirements and brand identity
- Hybrid casting methods that combine digital efficiency with personal assessment
- International network connections for access to diverse talent pools worldwide
- Fast selection processes with professional prescreening of all candidates
- Ongoing support from casting through to production day
Our selection of carefully chosen models and years of industry experience ensure that we always find the right match for your campaign. We understand that every casting is unique and adapt our methods to deliver optimal results.
Want to discover which casting method best suits your next project? Contact us for a personal discussion about your casting needs and let us help find the perfect talent for your campaign.