Beyond having the confidence, acting ability, and charisma of Tituss Burgess or Tilda Swinton, getting cast in your dream role also means connecting with the casting director. This industry gatekeeper wants to get a sense of who you are, which they achieve by asking questions that go beyond the scope of the specific project. Let’s dive into what CDs really want to know about you and how to let your best self shine in casting interviews.
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A casting interview is when a member of the casting team (usually the CD) asks an actor questions to learn more about who they are as a person—their experiences, personality, and goals. This can take place just before or after an audition, or it can happen separately, if a CD has you on their radar and wants to consider you for future projects.
It can be helpful to think of casting interviews like traditional job interviews. Sure, the CD needs to know you’ll be good at your job, but they likely also want to get a feeling for how you’d fit interpersonally on a project. Film and TV sets can be chaotic, and interview questions help make sure there aren’t any surprises that may arise down the line that could hurt the production. Nailing your answers to these questions is a great way to stand out in a casting call and beyond.
Do casting directors always ask questions at auditions?
In short, no. Some CDs may not want to color their view of your performance with personal questions, while others may prioritize getting to know you on an individual level. Usually, the approach will live somewhere in between these two extremes. Most CDs let the audition remain the focus but still ask a few questions to get to know “what kind of person you are, that you show up on time, that you’re collegial and nice, all that sort of stuff,” according to CD Paul Schnee (“Palm Royale,” “Winter’s Bone”).
Asking casting interview questions can also stem from ulterior (but benevolent!) motives. CDs know more than anybody that auditions are stressful, and asking personal questions can be their way of trying to get actors to feel more comfortable.
Here are some common questions and requests you may encounter at a casting interview:
- Do you have a preference for screen or theater acting?
- What is your ideal role?
- What have you seen recently that you’ve enjoyed? What work are you drawn to generally?
- What kind of work are you drawn to as an actor?
- How do you like to work? What techniques do you employ?
- What are your career goals?
- What kind of rehearsal process do you have experience with?
- What are your thoughts on the script?
- What are your thoughts on the character you would be playing?
- What training have you completed?
- How do you handle rejection?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Share a funny story from your life.
Nailing your interview questions can mean nailing your audition as a whole. So here are some tips on how to deliver answers that will impress a CD.
1. Be honest.
Trite, but true: CDs ask questions because they want to get a sense of who you are, not because they want to hear canned answers of what you think they want to hear.
But being honest doesn’t mean you need to sell yourself short. If you don’t have lots of formal training, you can explain the reasons why uncontrived raw talent might be advantageous for the role. If you haven’t worked on a project quite like the one you’re auditioning for, you can still note personal experiences that make you the perfect person for it.
2. Show your personality.
Sticking to stock answers will rob you of the chance to stand out. If you’ve had an inside look at the casting process, you’ll know that CDs talk to a lot of actors. While you may try to stand out through performance alone, it can only help if you’re memorable before and after lines are read.
This might mean responding to generic questions with more nuance than they seem to call for. For instance, if asked if you have a preference between stage and screen acting, don’t just say, “Probably screen acting.” Talk about what you enjoy about both, what traits you have as an actor that work more in one than the other, and what skills you can apply from one medium to the other.
3. Be prepared.
Know the script inside and out so that when a CD asks you what you think of the text and characters, you can say a lot more than, “I liked it.” Give thoughtful feedback and ask specific questions to show that you’re a smart performer who’s already invested in the project.
Since CDs want to know what you’ll bring to the role outside of your acting chops, expect questions beyond the scope of the project. Be ready to talk about your favorite films, TV shows, plays, and performances; actors and creators who inspire you; and any comps you may have thought of while reading the script.
4. Have fun.
The casting interview should be a welcome opportunity to showcase who you are as a person, not just as an actor—so have fun with it! Even if you don’t end up landing the role, connecting with a casting director and talking about yourself can (and should) be an enjoyable experience.
