Get noticed by Casting Directors with these 3 Social Media Moves
If you’re a working actor and you say you “don’t care about connecting with casting directors personally”…you’re 10/10 lying. Casting directors are the gatekeepers to our dreams. They’re the middleman we work with to get to the next rung on the ladder of the entertainment industry. They are very important people in an actor’s life. So heck yeah, you should want to connect with casting on social media!
When working with actors, I’ve noticed that very similarly to the fears that arise when networking with casting directors in-person, often actors feel intimidated, nervous, or awkward networking with them online, too. That’s totally understandable that you feel that way, but I don’t want you to accept that as how you should feel. I’m going to break down the basics of connecting with casting directors on social media that makes the effort worth your time!
where to connect with casting directors online
Welcome to the digital world, my loves! Many casting directors for film and TV are all over social media. But where, you ask? Valid question. There are SO many different social media platforms these days; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, Pinterest, and Tiktok tend to be the most popular contenders as of summer 2020. Realistically, yes, casting directors could be on any and all of these platforms, but history has shown us that they tend to gravitate mostly to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for public interactions with actors.
Many casting directors will host regularly scheduled Twitter chats or Instagram and Facebook Live video streams. Additionally, like the rest of us, they’ll make regular posts into the void. All of these are opportunities to connect and get on their radars. That means that if you haven’t already, you need to create your own accounts on these platforms and follow all of the casting directors in your market (and beyond!) so that you can start to be part of the conversation.
What about TikTok, you might ask? While many agents, managers, and casting directors are starting to peruse TikTok for talent, it’s not a social media platform built around chatting back and forth, so stick to creating killer content there instead of trying to have a deep conversation.
Research Before You Respond
Do your research! The wonderful thing about the internet is that there is a wealth of information ready and waiting for you to use, all you have to do is take the time to go through it. If you’re an actor seeking to engage with a specific casting director on social media, there’s literally no reason you should be going in blind. Before you really start interacting with them, take time to read through their old social media posts. Take note of interesting fun facts they might share about themselves, on pet peeves they’ve mentioned, and notes about how they seem to respond to different situations and people. Get a real feel for their personality and how they talk.
You ALSO should be well-versed and educated on what they cast. Genres, shows, feel, tone, current info, etc.
This is all information that you can and should reference frequently. Is there something in there you could mention when you Tweet at them next that might make them smile or, heck, even just actually read what you wrote? Remember one personal fact about them and using it strategically can help you get noticed. Take notes, reference your notes, use them wisely.
Get Creative with Your Outreach
Have you ever noticed in video chats, or just regular social media interactions how many of the actors are responding to casting? I don’t know about you all, but actors in these situations with casting often remind me of a boyband’s raving fans. Think about it, a lot of the time I’m seeing folks comment things like “omg I LOVE XYZ show that you cast!” or “amazing choice casting so-and-so in this role!” or “do you think you’ll be casting many roles for young white women in the next season???”
Like guys, stop. They already know all of this. They’ve heard those compliments before. They know that actors are eager to be cast in TV shows and films. No offense, but duh! None of those comments are likely to make them think twice about you, much less respond to you or develop a deeper connection, right? Their eyes probably glaze over when they see the flood of comments exactly like that.
It’s all about creativity and intelligence, friends. Think about what will interest THEM. Because remember, it’s not about you (the actor), it’s about them (the casting director). What is a smart, unique question you can ask? What’s a well-thought out observation you can make that actually piques their interest? If you’ve done your research, that will help significantly.
Think Outside the “Actor” Box
In a similar vein to the previous point, I challenge you to think beyond the confines of topics in the entertainment industry. So if we’re going in assuming that casting is inundated with and expecting actors to only talk about acting, another way to break from the crowd is to ask about something OTHER than acting. This will help your comment or question pop out from the crowd and increase your chance of an interaction with the casting director.
And before you ask, no it’s not a waste of time simply because your comment didn’t have to do with your career specifically. Why? Because in most cases, your relationship with casting directors should not come from a short-term mindset. You want them to cast you today, yes, but also tomorrow and 2 years from now and 10 years after that, right? This is a long-term relationship with a human being.
I’m not saying ask invasive, personal questions, or anything that would make them uncomfortable. But cute, fun questions about their life and interests shows respect and care for them as humans instead of just the person who can help you get your next job. Plant the seeds of kindness, folks. It goes a long way.
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