We have received a number of e-mails expressing an interest in becoming a talent agent or casting director. While this is not our area of expertise, we will offer what we feel is the most practical approach to reaching this goal.

The entertainment industry is a business where you need experience no matter what area you want to venture into. It is also a business where you often times end up volunteering for jobs just to obtain the experience. The casting business is one of those businesses where volunteering or internship is crucial. Most talent agencies are small and cannot afford to hire employees. When you visit agencies, you often times see one or two mature people who are the owners of the agency and a number of young people from time to time that are filing, making phone calls, sending faxes, etc. This is a win win situation because the agency gets the help it needs without affecting the bottom line and the intern gets invaluable experience as well as an inside look at the casting business.

A lot of talent agents and casting directors did go to college to get a degree before they became a talent agent or casting director but this is not absolutely necessary. A lot of casting people got their experience from on the job training and never had to get formal college education. If you are interested in going to a college or university before pursing work as a casting professional, you might want to get a degree in communications, radio, TV and film or even acting and then branch out as a casting director. You need to contact your local university/college and talk with a counselor about all this. Please remember that even with a degree, you may still have to work for no pay as a casting intern/volunteer to get experience.

I wish there were some magic way to get into the casting business, but there is not. Becoming a good talent agent or casting director involves lots of years of actually doing the job but it’s not a job where you can actually be assigned the task of doing the job while you are learning it; you usually have to become an intern first. One way to find out about casting positions is to call up the agency and ask them if they are hiring or accepting interns. Another good way to find out about casting jobs is to network and keep your ear to the ground. Go to events where talent agents or casting directors will be present and make it known that you are interested in that aspect of the business. You should be listening for which agency is really busy because they will need more help. You may be lucky enough to find an agency who will pay you but that is more likely if you already have some experience.

Two good books to check out to get more information about the casting industry are:

1. The Back Stage Guide to Casting Directors by Hettie Lynne Hurtes; ISBN: 0823088065

2. Film Producers, Studios, Agents and Casting Directors Guide (6th Ed)
by The Staff of Lone Eagle Publishing (Editor), David M. Kipen; ISBN: 0943728959

You may also be able to ask the Casting Society of America (CSA) some questions. Here is their web site and e-mail address:

1. The CSA web site is at: http://www.castingsociety.com/ and their e-mail is: castsoc@pacbell.net

Casting is not an easy job. You should be prepared to work long and hard at paying attention to detail. You must be accurate and efficient for your clients as well as the talent. You should be prepared to get to know your talent so that you can provide your clients with the talent that they need; this after all is the essence of your job. For those of you who are interested in becoming a talent agent or casting director, we hope this helps. We wish you much success.