The Casting Agent's Role in the Process When choosing good voice talent, a casting agent plays an essential role in helping to find the best possible voices for each character.
There are different ways the agent can participate in helping to choose the final person for each character.
Where to Find Casting Calls The casting agent should be able to put advertisements in local magazines and newspapers, as well as online clearly showing what the audition is for.
This advertisement does not have to reach just local potential actors; it can also be on a national scale, so that people looking for voice over employment all over the country can participate.
The advertisement should list any requirements in terms of prior experience required, and let the people know the correct date and times to show up for the reading or audition.
On Location Auditions Auditions can be held, and the casting agent can assist the casting director in making cuts and deciding who will return for another round of auditions.
The casting agent's job is to assist with advertising the date, location, and time of the audition and with call-backs.
Voice Over Auditions When it comes to voice over auditions, the process is much like live action auditions in the sense that the person auditioning still must have an understanding of the character they are attempting to play, and should be able to exhibit that through their voice.
A Sample Read of The Script Another way casting agents can find talent is to call certain actors or actresses the director might be interested in, and have them do a reading.
This process makes it easier, since the casting agent and director are pre-choosing who they'd like for the role.
As an agent, professionalism is needed at all times.
Arriving At The Audition A sign-in sheet and calendar is necessary to keep track of all of the names that will come through during the audition.
Providing water for people auditioning, as well as ensuring that everyone is comfortable is important, and it's up to the casting agent to help keep this area calm, organized, clean, and as comfortable as possible.
Studio Etiquette Communicating with people who are auditioning in a professional manner is very important.
Organization is also essential, since the casting agent needs to be able to maintain a database of names, contact numbers, and a way to monitor which potential voice talent is still in the running, and which are not.
The Final Decision While the casting agent will not make the final decision, it is up to them to help the director to determine which voice talent were potential call-backs and which were not.
The agent can also advise the director and give their opinion, as long as the director respects their input.
Alternatively, if the agent was hired by the client, it's the client that will be making the final decision.
Getting The Callback At the end of the decision making, the casting agent will call back people who need to return for another reading, or make the call to the actors they have chosen to play the role.
This type of position requires patience, professionalism, organization, and the ability to recognize good talent.