Fear of the first casting is completely normal. That feeling of "I'm not ready yet", that other candidates have years of experience on you, or that you'll be exposed as an impostor the moment you open your mouth — nearly every actor working in film and television today has felt the same. The good news is that all of them had their first time too, and most arrived without a glittering CV or an impressive filmography. What they did have was willingness, basic preparation and the desire to give it a go.
In this guide we walk you through step by step how to find your first casting, what you need before you turn up, how to conduct yourself in the room and what to expect afterwards. No unnecessary romanticising: practical information so you can take that first step with both feet on the ground.
Where to find castings as a beginner
The first real obstacle is not the casting itself but finding it. Many beginner actors don't know where to look and end up going round in circles. Here are the most effective channels:
- Specialist platforms such as Arga Studios: Online casting platforms where production companies and directors post open calls. Many include castings specifically for inexperienced profiles or low-budget projects looking for fresh faces.
- Telegram and WhatsApp groups: There are dozens of active groups in Spain where casting calls, short films and university projects are shared. Search for groups such as "Castings España", "Actores España" or similar.
- Instagram and TikTok: Many independent film directors and film-school students post their calls directly on their profiles. Following small production companies, film schools and emerging directors can give you access to castings that appear nowhere else.
- Drama schools: Even if you are not enrolled, many schools post calls for end-of-year projects on their notice boards. These are perfect for getting started.
- Short-film festivals: In the run-up to festival submission deadlines, directors actively seek actors. Check festival calls to see which projects are in production.
What you need before your first casting
You don't need much to show up to your first casting, but you do need the basics. Improvising on these fundamentals gives an impression of not being serious.
Professional or semi-professional headshot
It doesn't have to be a £500 session. A clean, well-lit photo with a neutral background in which your face is clearly visible is enough to begin with. Avoid filters, cropped group photos or selfies with awkward lighting.
A basic acting CV
Even if you have no professional experience, an acting CV must exist. Include your name, contact details, physical characteristics (height, eye colour, hair colour), training and any special skills: languages, sports, musical instruments, singing, dancing. What you must not do is invent credits you don't have.
A phone with a decent camera
Many initial castings are done on video. Having a phone with a good camera and knowing how to use it (framing, natural lighting, no background noise) can make all the difference.
Important tip: Never lie on your acting CV. Casting directors have been in the industry for years and immediately spot when someone inflates their track record. A lie discovered closes doors permanently. Having little experience is not a problem; lying about it is.
How to prepare the text or scene you are given
When you receive the call, you will usually be sent a text or "sides" (script excerpts) to prepare. In any case:
- Learn the text, don't mechanically memorise it. Understand what your character wants in that scene, what they feel, what they are hiding.
- Work on the character's objectives. What do they want to achieve in that scene? What is stopping them?
- Rehearse out loud, with your body. Reading silently is not rehearsing. You need to hear yourself, see yourself, gauge the timing.
- If the text arrives the day before: focus on understanding it well rather than memorising it perfectly.
What to do in the casting room
The casting doesn't start when you are called. It starts when you walk through the building's front door. Everything you do in the waiting room forms part of the impression you make.
Arrival
Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Not too soon and not late. Use this time to go over the text mentally, breathe and take in the atmosphere.
In the room
When you are called, enter with confidence, greet people naturally and wait to be shown where to stand. Don't ask too many questions. Listen to the instructions.
During the scene
Really listen — don't pretend to listen while waiting for your turn to speak. The best moments in a casting are usually the reactions, not the speeches.
Mistakes to avoid
- Speaking badly about other actors or previous productions
- Asking for too much feedback on the spot
- Walking in with an oversized ego or, conversely, falling over yourself with apologies
- Changing the text you have been given without permission
- Asking when you will find out if you got the part before you have left the room
What happens after the casting
Silence after a casting is the rule, not the exception. Casting directors see dozens or hundreds of actors per project and don't always have the capacity to give individual feedback. If you haven't heard anything within two weeks, assume you were not selected for that project and move on to the next one.
Remember: Not being selected does not mean you performed poorly. Sometimes you simply aren't the "type" they are looking for for that particular role. Rejection in casting is not personal: it is a structural part of the profession.
Your first casting, whether you get it or not, has enormous value: it teaches you how the process works, what you feel in the room, what you can improve. Most actors remember their first audition as a turning point.
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