In the world of on-camera gigs, there's unfortunately no playbook to success. However, as a casting network, we can point you in the right direction as to how to boost your profile to ensure you are seen by the casting directors on our platform. As an influencer on our site, you'll receive a fancy badge, receive exclusive invites to brands whom are looking to specifically book influencers, and more. 

So, ready to get started? Here are some tips & tricks as to how to stand out:


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<h3 class="text-center">1. Onboard as an influencer📲</h3>
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Users that submit their profiles to have an influencer badge will undergo an interal review by the Casting Depot team. You'll be notified as to when and if your profile has been verified by the team. You can submit for an influencer verification badge by heading to 👉 www.castingdepot.com/influencer
 

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<h3 class="text-center">2. Fill out your profile as much as possible🔥</h3>
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Attaching your social links, additional media uploads, and titles/skills tags will have a big impact on your profile standing out. Use the description section of your profile to outline your goals and interests. It'll help job posters get to know you! Additionally - the more you fill out your profile, the more acurate the castings we show you in your feed will be.
 
 
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<h3 class="text-center">3. Be active in Casting Depot groups 🚀</h3>
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In our groups feature, sub communities have active daily conversations sharing resources, castings, and projects they're working on. The more active you are within the Casting Depot community, the more opportunities will come your way from other users!
 
 
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While it's a small list, these three tips will help your profile stand out from the crowd. Get started today by heading to www.castingdeopt.com/influencer

How to book on-camera gigs as an influencer

Playing a role that requires an accent can be daunting. It’s common for actors to decide to take on new accents as listed skills to market themselves for scripted roles. It’s another marketable item on your checklist that can make your resume standout in a sea full of people. 

So, you’re ready to audition for a role that requires an accent. How do you efficiently prepare? Practice your craft, even when there’s not a role on the horizon that calls for an accent. Use these 7 tips to guide you in perfecting your accent.
 
 
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1. Study the dialect.
 If there’s a particular accent you would like to list as a skill on your resume, study it. Conduct research on the country, listen to music by artists who speak naturally in that accent, or watch films with american actors who have aced it. When you feel ready, practice reading in character. When your audition date is nearing, record yourself speaking in character. Listen to how you sound so you can see where you need to improve. 

2. Avoid sounds that throw off the audience.
 Every accent has a few sounds that should be executed properly in order to be convincing. There are also some sounds that your audience won’t notice if said incorrectly. Regardless, an accent must flow. If this is something you’re struggling with, a dialect coach could be beneficial to mastering the accent.
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3. Find consistency.
 Be consistent when reading your lines. Often times, actors struggle when there’s an emotional scene or a difficult word to pronounce. This leads to pronunciation being inconsistent. When you practice, it'll build your confidence. You'll become less worried about pronuncing words correctly and more focused on conveying the emotion.

4. Practice often, always.
 Another helpful tool can be spontaneously speaking in the accent. This could include talking to yourself out loud while on your way to work, chatting with friends or ordering food the next time you’re at a restaurant. Find excuses to test your ability to make your new tone sound like second nature. 
Sing the accent.
		
Some accents sound like a melody. Some words should be sung instead of being spoken. Let your words flow. If it’s an emotional scene, become the character. If your accent is imperfect, it’ll sound more believable. If you’re looking for inspiration, revisit tip #1. 
		
5. Embrace your characters’ universe.
 If you’re in a production that takes place in 1950’s England, embrace that era. Studying the time and the environment of the project will help you in not only understanding your character but accurately representing that role. If it’s available to you, rehearse with characters you have scenes with. The two of you will be more in sync.
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5 Ways to Nail an Accent 

Struggling with your resume? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Pre-production jobs can get pretty competitive, so your resume must make an impactful first impression. In today’s competitive job market, a solid resume is essential to getting your foot in the door for an interview... especially if you don't have industry experience. However, writing a good resume is not easy regardless. You should treat your resume as a business document that needs professionally designed and formatted. 

Some creative jobs that are entry level in the entertainment industry include:
* Casting assistant
* Research assistant
* Production assistant
* Video editor
* Script assistant
* Copy editor

If you have an idea of what you want to ultimately do, you'll need to set up your resume to comminicate as such. So, how do you stand out from the rest? Follow this handy-dandy cheatsheet we've put together:

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 List Pre-Production Knowledge. 
		 Showcase what you know! Whether it's software tools that support commercials, music videos, short films, and feature films, your knowledge of pre-production should connect with relevant work experiences. Relevant tools could include:

* Pro-tools
* Google Drive
* iMovie
* Slack

When listing your work experiences, add bullet points that highlight your work achievements and duties. For example - did you have a casting assistant internship while in college? Add it to your work history to show you have a basic understanding of how a busy casting office operates.
	
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 Add creativity. 
 If you're applying to a creative job, spice up your resume with color and images. Use online companies such as Canva.com to create a beautiful resume in a short amount of time. 
		
 Define your skills and Abilities. 
	 On your resume, show the employers how resourceful you could be. This is the area to show what you can bring to the company. Are you skilled with scriptwriting, editing software, or Google Drive? Be sure to elaborate on your skillsets. For example, don’t just put down “video editing software,” use “skilled in creating and editing videos using Adobe products such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop.” Keep in mind that all the skills you list must be accurate. When you’re called into an interview, you might be asked to demonstrate your proficiency in video editing.
		
 Ditch The Tagline. 
	 When taking a wholistic view at your resume, ask yourself - "does my tagline really make a difference?".
		
 Don't Include Your Address. 
	 A big mistake newbies make when creating their resume is adding their home address. Unless it's noted otherwise in the application or job posting, take this part out. It's OK to add "New York, NY" or "Burbank, CA", but your exact address is never needed. 
		
 Include Your Professional Social Media. 
	 Add your LinkedIn, StaffMeUp.com, or CastingDepot.com account to show that you're active in the professional community.

 Highlight Personality. 
	 This section will help differentiate you from other candidates. Listing the different languages you speak, certificates, interests, and hobbies are a great way to help humanize you in your resume! Do you have any relevant certificates that can boost your creditability? Listing certificates can show how dedicated you are to learn more about the pre-production industry. Just be mindful of the extra information you add to your resume, as you want it to build on to your work experiences.
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Although these tips are a bit obvious, they are important to follow so you can get a step closer to an interview for the pre-production job you want. With these tips to help guide your resume, you are on the right track to sending your application to your future employer.

Resume Tips for a Creative Pre-Production Job

Interested in establishing a career in casting? That’s great! Everyone has a different path in life, however there are some tricks and tips for individuals looking to pursue a career in the industry. Casting is such an important part of the pre-production process and sometimes overlooked. Without the right talent even the greatest concept can flop. 

Like many professional roles, casting requires a certain personality – someone who genuinely loves getting to know people. This position is very similar to a human resources position, but for on camera talent. 

Below are some suggestions for aspiring professionals looking to break into the industry that may not have connections at the moment. Use this as a guide to aid you in navigating this new and exciting path you are about to embark on.
 
 
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<h3 class="text-center">Make your resume stand out 🚀</h3>
 If you don’t have casting credits just yet, don’t worry. Casting professionals come from all walks of life, however there are certain industries that may help you break into this one. List work experience that shows history of customer service. If you’re able to show that you love to engage with people, the hiring manager may be inclined to give you a chance. 

Another sought-after work experience includes research-based jobs. A lot of the casting assistants job is researching industry trends, new ideas and talent. Listing a job that outlines your ability to conduct research could be extremely attractive to a hiring manager. 

You may be doing a lot of the grunt work as an assistant. Include skills in your resume that show that you’re proficient with using online tools such as Google Drive, Microsoft Word/Excel, and navigating basic social media sites. 

<h3 class="text-center">Apply to jobs online 📲</h3>
 Use the resources that are readily available to you. You’re not going to find a lot of production jobs on generic career websites. That’s why there are industry specific sites. Ask around, Google it, or ask the Casting Depot community to point you in the right direction.

<h3 class="text-center">Network. Network. Network. 💫</h3>
 If you’re in a major city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, there are likely networking groups for professionals. The industry is tight knit and supportive. Find a networking event that you can attend, bring your business card and begin to introduce yourself. Find a way to stand out - whether that be your business card, “pick up line”, or a unique call to action at the end of your conversation with someone. This may not result in a job immediately, but if you make a lasting impression on someone at the networking event - they will think of you in the future. 
 
 
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Casting lives in all aspects of the entertainment industry - theater, modeling agencies, television and so on. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a helpful tool to have if the end goal is to pursue a career in production. 
We encourage you to join the community as a casting professional. You may discover the next breakout star!

How to Pursue A Career in Casting

One of the most daunting - and important - skills to master is the ability to confidently audition. For actors just beginning in their careers, reading lines in front of casting directors and producers can be especially intimidating. Luckily, Casting Depot has you covered.
 

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<h3 class="text-left">Getting an Audition on Casting Depot 💫</h3>
How do you land a gig? Where do you go, what do you do and how do you do it? These are common questions every actor has when first starting out. You’re not alone. That’s why we created Casting Depot - the only social networking and booking site for every type of on-camera talent to connect with media professionals. Whether you’re a talk show host, background actor or aspiring theatrical actor - we’re here to help your career flourish. 

Submitting for auditions on Casting Depot is easy. Filter through hundreds of casting notices on your Feed and apply to what roles fit you. However, fully fill out your profile first to increase your chances of being booked. Visit our [FAQ section](https://www.castingdepot.com/faq) if you need help navigating how.

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<h3 class="text-left">What You Need to Audition 🎬</h3>
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Headshot and Resume 
 These are the two essentials for actors with any sort of prior experience. Your headshot is just what it sounds like: a simple yet professional photo. Don’t get too fancy. Your resume offers further background on your experience and skills.

Reel 
 Demo reels should be about a minute and a half long showcasing your talent. There should be a title slate that includes your full name and contact information. If you’re active on social media, share that information as well. If possible, use high-res videos that show the range of talent you have.

Preparation 
 If lines are given in advance to read, memorize them. Generally a casting call will provide pre-audition information including any documents that need to be prepared in advance. Read this information carefully. Never audition without being prepared! It’ll show the casting director that you don’t respect their time. 

Research 
 If possible, do some research on the project beforehand. For instance, if you’re auditioning for a show that’s had multiple seasons - watch a few episodes. If you’re auditioning for a musical that’s based off of a best-selling book, read a few pages. The more you know the content, the more it’ll show in your audition. 
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<h3 class="text-left">What Should I Wear? 👕</h3> 
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Confidence
 Wear an outfit that boosts confidence. If you don’t feel good about the way you look in your outfit, it’ll come across on tape.

Appearance 
 Always be ‘camera-ready’. Wear something that emulates the role you’re auditioning for. Unless noted otherwise, treat the audition as if you’re going to be on camera. Would you want to be in sweats and a t-shirt on your big audition tape? 
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<h3 class="text-left">How Do I Self-Tape an Audition? 🎥</h3> 
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Look Your Best 
 Self-tapes are a first impression to the casting director. Be connected to good WIFI, in a quiet space and with your camera propped up against something so that you’re not holding it. Any source of lighting should be coming from behind the camera (not from behind you). Lastly, avoid neutral colors that match your background. Bright colors are generally prefered. 
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<h3 class="text-left">What About After the Audition? 🚀</h3>
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Take Notes Afterwards 
 Keeping an audition journal is a great way to keep track of the roles you read for, and to learn from your past experiences. Write down what went well, or not so well. Auditioning is a learning process, and it gets easier the more you do it.
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Put in the work beforehand, take a deep breath, and give it your best. Even if you miss out on the role, you might make an impression on the casting director for future projects. Continue to practice your craft, take notes from your experiences, and keep up with Casting Depot. You deserve to be on screen, and we’re here to make that happen. 

To sign up for you profile, [click here](https://www.castingdepot.com/signup).

Career

How to book on-camera gigs as an influencer

5 Ways to Nail an Accent

Resume Tips for a Creative Pre-Production Job

How to Pursue A Career in Casting

Acing Your Audition