The position of a voiceover casting director is often underappreciated, considering its monumental responsibility and intense workload in the voiceover industry. Additionally, many voiceover artists stumble in their interactions with casting directors. This article aims to shed light on the role and relational aspects of a casting director's job. We will look at what they do, the impact and influence they hold and the relationships orbiting them.
Beyond routine administrative duties like replying to emails, a casting director's job can seem infinite. They must manage numerous relationships across the industry, which can feel like a balancing act. Tasked with coordinating both agents regarding the talent and directors for the projects, the margin for error is practically non-existent. Just imagine being responsible for a film destined for perpetual existence and billions of viewers. It's an intimidating thought, right? Such enormous pressure is seldom acknowledged.
Agents can either be a boon or a bane to a casting director's day. With often tight deadlines, the casting director relies heavily on the agency to provide a robust talent pool on time. This not only involves delivering quality auditions, but also ensuring the files are correctly labeled, well-organized, and meet specifications. Some agents can push boundaries, but this is generally unproductive. An agent's role and their relationship with the talent is an entirely different topic. The relationship between agents and casting directors is significantly smoother when the former facilitates the latter's job. This involves adhering to specifications, timely delivery, providing high-quality content, and no shortcuts.
Projects can range from costing hundreds to millions of dollars, but the process of talent acquisition often remains consistent. While the overall process could be longer for larger projects, the selection of the right voiceover talent is a constant. Some projects may take a few weeks to plan, while others might span years. For instance, an independent content creator might lack the budget, time, or resources to spend years developing a project. In contrast, a big production company like DreamWorks may invest significant resources and time into a movie. The more talent a company sees for auditions the more they will need to invest into their casting department. On a financial basis, money is the facilitator in dealing with a larger number of auditions.
To keep this article concise, we've only scratched the surface of the vast subject matter. If you're interested in delving deeper into the relationship between a voice actor and a casting director, our subsequent article covers the audition process and the casting director's workload when reviewing auditions.
One crucial piece of advice to conclude: never forget that casting directors are people deserving of respect. They play a significant role in the industry and, unfortunately, some actors can develop an entitled mindset. Avoid falling into this trap. Treat casting directors with the consideration and professionalism they deserve and not simply as vessels to help you earn money and fame.
The Role of a Voiceover Casting Director by Alan Shires
Voice Actor