Principal Vs. Extra Casting

It is important to understand the process of casting before you take your first step in becoming an actor, model or musician. Casting Directors hire the principal talent as well as background talent. Typically there are two Casting Directors hired for the project, Principal and Extras. Due to the recent tax incentives being introduced across the U.S., there is also 'Local Principal Casting' and 'Local Extras Casting'. Local Principle Casting casts speaking roles in the area where the project is being filmed. Local Extras Casting casts the Extras needed for the scenes that will be filmed in that area.

Call Back

The second audition. If the Casting Director wants to see an actor again after their inital audition, they will bring them back for a 'call back'. This session sometimes involves the Director or Producer along with the Casting Director.

Director/Producer Session

Sometimes Directors and Producers want to be involved in the casting process. A Director or Producers session involves the Director and Producers as well as the Casting Director and typically takes place after the initial audition and call back.

Cold Read

An audition where the actor is not given the material prior to the audition

Sides
Excerpts from the script used for auditions. Sides consist of scenes involving the character the Casting Director is auditioning for.

Call Time
The time actors and crew must be on the set. Call time for the crew is before the actors call time to allow the crew to begin setting up the equipment.

Closed Set

A set that is only accessible to individuals that are essential to a particular scene. Usually the Director, Lighting, and Sound crew members will be on set. Closed sets are often used for scenes requiring privacy such as love scenes, or scenes with high profile actors.

Dailies
Dailies are non-edited film footage from a previous day of shooting. Directors look at the 'dailies' to discuss editing and determine if they need to re-shoot a scene.

Headshot

An 8x10 photo of an actor. Theatrical headshots are typically more dramatic and depict edgier characters. A commercial headshot is usually more generic, pretty and friendly.

Demo Reel

An edited video consisting of various clips from previous film and tv projects. The demo reel showcases the types of characters the actor is able to play.

Dayplayer

Actor hired to work on a project for one day.

Pilot Season
Before networks decide to pick up a show, they film a 'Pilot' of the show. A 'pilot' is a few episodes of the tv show that is shown to the network executives and used to determine whether it will become an actual tv program. Pilot season usually begins in January, and is a welcomed season for both actors and agents. See Film for definition of verb. As a noun, shoot means the shooting of a movie, TV show, or commercial.