E-Casting

An e-casting is an electronically held casting. Unlike traditional in-person casting sessions, models or actors present themselves via videos or photos in e-casting. Agencies and production companies, especially in international campaigns and for television professions, often resort to e-casting. It is also particularly popular when things need to move quickly and the client wants to see results in the shortest possible time.

During an e-casting, applicants usually have to submit two short videos. The first clip, lasting one to two minutes, is for introduction and to give a personal impression. Name, age, career, and references are presented in it.

In the second video, the applicant re-enacts a scene set by the agency or offers certain poses. This ensures a degree of comparability, making the selection process easier for the casters.

As e-castings have gained more importance in recent years, they also have a fixed place in the portfolio of job work.

E-casting has advantages for role and job candidates, as well as for the production company or client.

Advantages for applicants include:

• Familiar environment: The production of the casting video or photos takes place in an environment of your choice. The familiar setting helps to relax and increase concentration.

• No travel required: Participants in an e-casting are not location-bound, eliminating the usual travel. This also saves money.

• Multiple attempts: In a normal casting, applicants have one opportunity to convince the jury. The introduction video for e-casting, however, can be recorded as many times as necessary until the applicant is truly satisfied with the result.

Disadvantages for the applicant include:

• More competition: The electronic transmission of casting materials allows a large number of competitors to participate, for whom spatial distance would have been an obstacle. Competing against many professional colleagues is more difficult than against a small pool of competitors.

• Technical know-how: Creating an e-casting video requires a certain affinity with camera work (light, perspective, etc.) and editing programs (editing). Those who lack both may fall behind.

Advantages for the client include:

• Larger selection: The spatial delimitation significantly increases the pool of applicants. Casters can choose from a much larger group.

• Up-to-date: While showreels from models and actors are often several months or even years old, applicants for e-casting must create a current video. This allows the casters to know exactly about the current appearance and condition of the applicants. They can also see how applicants interpret and play a specific scene.

• Multiple viewings: In traditional on-site casting, there is often not enough time to allow an applicant several attempts. If it doesn't work the first time, the next person comes in. As a result, casting agencies may miss out on rough diamonds. Thanks to the videos, casters have the opportunity to view an applicant's performance theoretically indefinitely.

Disadvantages for the client include:

• Lack of chemistry: In the creative industry, it is important that the chemistry between the collaborating parties is right. However, the possibility of a personal meeting is missing in e-casting.

• Unknown conditions: The approach of the applicants to the casting video is very different. Some engage a coach and prepare specifically for the situation. Others act spontaneously. The casting agency or production company does not know the effort behind the video and therefore does not know how well an applicant can really act/pose.

An e-casting video is usually self-directed. Thanks to developments in recent years, technical home equipment is now so good that appealing clips can be produced at home.

Key features for a successful e-casting video:

• Recording device: A reasonably modern smartphone is completely sufficient. Reflex cameras are even better. It is important to have a good stand, so the device does not tip over during recording. A tripod offers absolute security.

• Background: Should be as neutral as possible to avoid distracting from the model/actor. Colored walls or flashy patterns are too conspicuous.

• Light: Natural light is best suited. However, it should not come from behind, as the video will only show contours and not the details of the face. In indoor areas, a bright desk lamp is a good light source.

• Outfit and make-up: Here too, the principle is to be as discreet as possible. However, the clothing should not be too loose, otherwise, the caster cannot get an idea of the applicant's physique.

• Introduction: Short and concise. Name, age, optional the agency, and a small review of the career so far are sufficient. The length should not exceed one minute.