FEATURE

Digital Casting: The Revolution Has Begun

by Abigail Harmon

How many hours does it take to find a decent selection of New England based females in their mid 30s, who do voiceovers and belong to the union? Ten? Twenty? More than you have? Welcome to the wonderful world of casting. There are hundreds of producers, directors, art directors and the like who all have to experience the same tedious task. But the end to hours of wasted time is near. That's right, no more mind-numbing, paper cut inducing, flipping through the photo files to find 12 Asian American extras who can hip hop dance. Enter Digital Casting (http://www.digitalcasting.com). A way in which the Internet can actually save you time. It's an online, searchable database created to aid directors, producers, and casting professionals pre-screen talent. After a simple registration process and users have access to over of actors. Using a simple online form, a list of talent that meets your specific requirements is instantly accessible 24/7, head shots and all. It's free but plan ahead, there could be up to a forty-eight hour wait for your password so that the company can perform a basic screening process. How can this valuable service be available to producers, directors, and casting directors at no cost to them? Actors pay a low, yearly subscription fee that varies depending on whether they are union or non-union, and whether or not they want to post audio clips of their voiceover work. With over 700 registered actors, the database can offer casting professionals a chance to select from a wide range of choices while the actors get unlimited exposure to new projects.

"It's a terrific preliminary casting service," according to Rudi Schwab, a director from Element Productions in Boston who has used Digital Casting on a variety of projects including National Fidelity and Marshalls spots. "I originally used it for an Alpert's Furniture TV spot where we had to find a selection of six 6' tall men. When I found a few minutes, I did a search and was able to give the clients a choice." As anyone who has worked on back to back commercial jobs will know, free minutes are often only found in the middle of the night.

It seems Rudi isn't the only person who has been visiting Digital Casting in the wee hours. Companies from LA to Philly are using the site to pre-screen talent before they arrive in town. If directors and producers can pre-determine which actors they see in a casting call, they can ensure a plethora of choices for those 12 extras without wasting time on a cattle call.

Michael Williams, a producer for Scout Productions, the largest independent film production company in New England, explained, "there are so many last minute casting changes that Digital Casting's really been a lifesaver. We found everything from a photo double for Reese Whitherspoon on an MGM film, to a ton of extras for Mr. Death, an Errol Morris Film.

"Some companies use the site to find the exact people they want to see. Others find the type of person and then arrange a casting session to see the selects and any additional people with similar looks or skills," said Stacey Nevins, Director of Operations at Digital Casting. Targeted casting calls can save everyone time, including the actors.

Stacey knows all about the time that can be wasted on cattle calls, she's also an actor on line with Digital Casting. "I can easily talk it up to fellow actors because I get calls and jobs from it." All Hair Club for Men jokes aside, the statistics speak for themselves; every month fifty to seventy-five searches are performed by producers and directors on the site. Maybe Stacey has her own reasons for ensuring the success of the site, but as any savvy internet user will tell you, a good site is only a success if it continues to hold interesting content.

"Digital Casting looks out for and promotes its talent database," Stacey adds. "It was created by producers, casting directors, business and high-tech professionals, all of who understand the casting industry."

Deanna Willis, a local actor online with digitalcasting.com said, "I would recommend it [Digital Casting] to anyone who wants to work in the business. I get a lot of calls. You don't need an agent, you can get work." Deana has had many auditions and jobs. She auditioned for a Fed Ex commercial shoot, but didn't get it. However, she did get an Industrial from Jack Hollingswoth which paid $75 for a few hours and a voiceover for Ear Whax Studios for auto inspections, and it paid $200.

It may seem surprising that every casting professional does not have access to an up to the minute database (or even up to the month) list of regional talent, but there is a reason. And it lies in those piles of photos that often are sent out to production offices and for whatever reason, are not on hand to be sent out again once the supply provided by the actor is depleted.

Now those days can be over. The casting revolution has begun. So in the coming months, when you are in need of a gaggle of jugglers, a troupe of Asian, Hispanic or Native American extras, or any number of brunettes who belong to the union, go straight to www.digitalcasting.com. You'll save time. You'll save money. You'll save your sanity. And don't worry, even if no one notices the change, at least you've gained enough time to do a second or third search when the client changes his or her mind.

Abigail Harmon is currently a freelance writer and advertising copywriter. She can be reached at abbyharmon@aol.com