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Job Profile
​Casting Assistant 

How do I become a casting assistant?

There are no specific qualifications or training to work in casting. The most important thing is to have a wide knowledge of film or TV productions and be well informed about new and existing actors. You need good taste and an eye for talent. You also need experience of working with actors. A casting director is a senior role so you need a lot of experience and connections before you can become one. A good route into this role is as a casting assistant. Go to the casting assistant profile for details on how to do this. You can to apply to ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder.

At school or college:

If you want to go to university, A-levels or Highers in drama and theatre, English, film studies or media studies are useful. Or you might want to take the following Level 3 vocational qualifications:

• OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing Arts

• BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing Arts

• BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production

• If you want to go straight into a job, the following Level 3 vocational qualifications


will equip you:

• Aim Awards Diploma in Creative and Digital Media

• OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)

• BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Production

• BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Visual Effects

• RSL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts

• UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology

• UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts

Get a degree:

A degree in media studies, film production or film history will equip you with knowledge and experience of cinema or television and production sets. 

Look for a job as a runner:

Many people start their careers in casting as production runners. For details of how to do this, go to our production runner profile. Apply to ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme. Get the skills, make contacts and start working as a production trainee. Look at our jobs board and sites like The Unit List and The Talent Manager and the Facebook group People looking for tv work: Runners are good places to find work. TV Watercooler gives advice from production companies on how they recruit runners. Some will advertise on their own careers site like ITV.

Look for a job with a talent agency:

This will help you develop a taste for talent and give you experience working with actors. Look for a junior role or enquire about work experience. The Production Manager’s Association (PMA) provides a list of their member agencies as well as advertising vacancies.

Network:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events like Open Doors to meet people working in development departments. Go to how to network well for some tips. Getting a job in casting is often down to word of mouth, so making connections in the industry is essential.

Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there are Facebook pages or other social media groups for people making films or TV in your area. There might even be groups for runners and trainees. Join them.The Talent Manager also have a twitter account you can follow. There are a lot of crewing agencies that will charge you to be on their books. Sign up to the free ones initially. Wales Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and other areas offer free crew databases. Find a film office near you and get connected. If you do sign up to paid sites, make sure they specialise in the areas in which you’re interested.


 

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