BackStage
Beyond having the confidence, acting ability, and charisma of Tituss Burgess or Tilda Swinton, getting cast in your dream role also means connecting with the casting director. This industry gatekeeper wants to get a sense of who you are, which they achieve by asking questions that go beyond the scope of the specific project. Let’s dive into what CDs really want to know about you and how to let your best self shine in casting interviews.
A casting interview is when a member of the casting team (usually the CD) asks an actor questions to learn more about who they are as a person—their experiences, personality, and goals. This can take place just before or after an audition, or it can happen separately, if a CD has you on their radar and wants to consider you for future projects.
It can be helpful to think of casting interviews like traditional job interviews. Sure, the CD needs to know you’ll be good at your job, but they likely also want to get a feeling for how you’d fit interpersonally on a project. Film and TV sets can be chaotic, and interview questions help make sure there aren’t any surprises that may arise down the line that could hurt the production. Nailing your answers to these questions is a great way to stand out in a casting call and beyond.