FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A CASTING DIRECTOR?
A casting director is an entertainment industry pro who is hired by a producing entity to manage casting for a commercial, film, industrial, theatre project, TV show, or live event. A CD sources, screens, and presents actors and their marketing materials (headshots, resumes, and reels), organizes and executes auditions, and makes offers and closes deals.

WHY DOESN’T THIS SITE FEATURE A ROSTER OF ACTORS?
CDs do not represent actors. Talent agencies do.

DOES A CASTING DIRECTOR DECIDE WHO IS BOOKED FOR A PROJECT?
CDs screen and present actor ideas to a producing client but do not make the final decision for role offers. Directors, producers, and networks/studios choose actors. CDs book them.

WHAT DOES CASTING SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP MEAN?
Casting Society is a profession guild of approximately 1000 members in the casting profession worldwide. Casting Society acts as a global resource for producers, directors, and creative teams seeking casting professionals, promotes the image of casting directors and associates worldwide, engages in a number of charitable activities, and supports its members by sharing important and helpful professional information of common interest. Yearly, it holds and distributes The Artios Awards.

WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS DOES CGC TAKE ON?
Clifton Guterman Casting proudly casts across all media: theatre (plays and musicals); film (shorts, features, Indies, studio pics); TV (pilots, series); industrials, new media, web content, commercials, and live events.

DOES CGC CAST UNION AND NON-UNION PROJECTS?
(Actors’ Equity Association / SAG-AFTRA)
Yes! CGC casts union and non-union projects on a case by case basis.

DOES CGC CAST EXCLUSIVELY AGENCY-REPPED ACTORS?
No! Sometimes, CGC releases casting notices on Actor’s Access and on social media or via direct contact to acting studios, teachers, and talent on our radar

DOES CGC CAST BACKGROUND ACTORS?
CGC casts only principal/speaking roles, but we are very happy to recommend ATL-area background casting offices who specialize in those actors.

DOES CGC ACCEPT DIRECT SUBMISSIONS FROM ACTORS?
Due to the large number of actors who call the Southeast home, CGC casts actors through agent submissions/relationships, occasional breakdown released publicly, occasional social media posts, and periodic open calls. Clifton also appears frequently as a guest at local workshops and classes and uses those visits to get to know actors and their work. As a policy, CGC does not respond to direct reach outs from actors unless they have been requested or have received communication first.

DOES CGC CAST PROJECTS THAT ARE NON-PAYING TO TALENT?
CGC only casts projects for which actors are paid for their skills, training, and time.

DOES CGC CAST FROM OF SELF-TAPES, HOLD VIRTUAL AUDITIONS, IN-PERSON AUDITIONS, OR DO IT ALL?
Today, most first rounds are achieved by actors self-taping and submitting. CGC is proficient in virtual casting but also offers in-person reads and callbacks whenever possible at a professional and centrally-located studio in Atlanta.

DOES CGC HAVE A STANDARD CASTING FEE/HOW IS FEE DETERMINED?
CGC determines casting fees on a by project-basis. Visit the Get a Quote page to inquire!