Salary Info: Casting Director

Name: Amy Klein
Job Title: Casting Director
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Education: College of the Redwoods, UCLA
Years of Experience: 15+
Salary: Varies project to project
Employer: Self

Casting Director Job Description:

As a Casting Director, it's my job to evaluate all the speaking roles in a script and make lists of "name" actors for the roles, along with their availability and schedule for the project. I have casting calls for feature films, casting calls for tv shows, casting calls for teenagers, movie auditions and casting calls for kids. I audition actors for speaking parts and present the best choices for the parts to the Producers/Director/Studios. Then the deals are negotiated, usually with their talent agency.

How did you choose to become a casting director?

During college, I fell into the entertainment industry by way of working at an investment firm; one of their clients was the owner of a Los Angeles talent agency. It was summer break in college; he set up an interview for me. A few weeks later I got a phone call asking if I'd like to fill in for one of the assistants who was out for a week; I ended up staying for 2 years. On my first day, right after the feature film "Dirty Dancing" was released, Patrick Swayze asked me where the men's room was! I was hooked!

What do you love about casting?

I love that moment when I'm reading with an actor and I feel that "click"...that feeling that this person just nailed it and we were both in the actual moment of the scene.

What advice would you have for those who want to be a casting director? What is the starting pay for a casting director?

The best advice that I can give is to start either as an assistant at a talent agency or as an intern with a casting director. While the hours are very long and the starting pay is very little, $350-$400 per week, what you learn is priceless. You get hands-on experience.

So you can’t be focused, solely, on the starting pay for a casting director. Plus, you must have patience and be a people person. You encounter hundreds of people a day. Sensitivity to an “actor’s way” of doing his or her craft is also very important. Some come into the room already “in character,” some need a few takes to get there; you can't rush them.

What was your funniest moment on the job?

Probably getting a foot massage by a well-known actor while auditioning him for a seduction scene for a feature film. Afterwards, he decided I was tense and needed my back cracked.

Which actor was that?

Can't tell you the actor, it wouldn't be fair.

What is the salary range of a casting director?

As far as salary range is concerned, it varies by project. Some are high, some are low… it depends on the studios and your passion for the project. A lot of indie films don't pay you up front at all for an independent film casting call; there is no starting pay, but you get a piece of the film’s profits. As for highs and lows in salary range, casting directors can make upwardly towards $100,000 per feature film... full length film casting calls... although I haven't been lucky enough to hit that salary range.

Sometimes the pay rate is $5,000 per major role in a feature film, or a guaranteed salary of $10,000 for 2 weeks, etc. Again, the salary range depends on the budget, who's producing, etc.

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Comments

[Erica]

Hello Amy.

I have recently decided to pursue my dream career of acting and casting directing. Do you know any good schools that will let me major in Directing while letting acting be my minor? I'm doing a project on school about it and would appreciate if you could help me out with finding out some of the information. My e-mail address is listed below. Thank you for your time.

An aspiring Casting Director,
Erica Cobb
3morper@gmail.com

[Londyn]

hey! im in high school and im currently busy writeing a scrpt for a movie i would to direct one day. But i dont wana become a movie a director i would just like to direct the movie i have writen! How is that possible? and how is that possile if i live in South Africa?

[Stephanie]

Hi, everybody,

I used to be a casting associate in NYC and now I'm a high school counselor so here is some additional, free career counseling: There is no set path to going into casting or being an agent and there are no "requirements" for schooling, although some colleges do have arts management majors. My undergraduate degree was in musical theater and I once got a major job because of that degree. I had also spent a lot of time temping and enjoyed business, computers, could type, etc. It is very important that you have a solid understanding of theater, film and acting and a head for business. If I were hiring an assistant, I would also look for an excellent memory for names and faces, solid writing ability and someone who is very organized with good people skills.

If you've ever watched the TV show Entourage and noticed that the assistant, Lloyd, has a law degree from Stanford, it's kind of a joke, but not. There are plenty of lawyers who are working their way up the ladder in show business. To be an agent, you really need to understand contracts and negotiation. Studying film and theater helps, too.

Good luck with all of your career plans!

[Ue]

Amy,

I would like to become a Director, would you advise me to attend director school first or intern and network?

Thank you,
Ue Vang
uweevang@gmail.com

[Natalia Ross]

hi there, I'm a high school student, and am really hoping to get into the movie area of work. I am thinking of becoming a movie/film director, but I am soo confused on what I would be able to earn as soon as I finish University. Could someone help?
I would be very greatful if you could give any advice, and/or things to remember.
Thanks
P.S. Please don't recommend other occupations though, because I am 100% sure with becoming a film director:)

[Xian]

Hello, I'm a junior in high school and I’m very interested in becoming a talent agent and maybe work my way up to become a casting director someday. But I have no idea on what are the requirements needed for college and this job. I appreciate it if you reply. Thanks!

[Lee]

I can deport you the photo on Casting?

[Emily Schwartz]

I am a junior at a highschool in Iowa, and I was wondering if there was any prerequisites you would recommend me to take? I don't have many oppurtunities to work with people in this industry and I would really appreciate advice on schools, or just stuff you wish you would have known getting started. Thank You so much!

[Elizabeth]

I am currently a student at San Diego State University, and I just finished my first year. I am majoring in Communications, because I would like to be a news anchor, but I became fascinated with the idea of being a Casting Director! I have been in love with Hollywood and everything about it for as long as I remember, but I am also wondering what type of schooling I need? What would my major be?

[Jessica Gil]

Nothing would make me happier than to be a casting director, but i don't know what i need to do for schooling. I am a senior at Grant High School and on my way to Cal State Northridge. I would like more information directly to lead me in the right path to my dream.

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