Casting directors are hired by a production studio or company to find and hire the talent (actors / voiceover talent) for all speaking roles in a television or film production. Occasionally, they will also oversee the selection of extras although that job is sometimes left to a local casting director.
The casting director is given a breakdown from the director which indicates the characteristics of the needed talent. The casting director then makes decisions about who best fits the role.
It may take an audition and several callbacks of an actor before the casting director and client can make that final decision.
Several of the top casting directors for television commercials, television shows and feature films in the Southeast include Fincannon & Associates ( Mark, Craig, and Lisa), Richard Futch CSA, Corrigan and Johnston (C&J), Coulon Casting, Annette Stillwell, Shay Griffin, and Alpha Tyler at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
While there is no union for casting directors, the Casting Society of America (CSA) is considered to be THE professional organization of casting directors in film and television.For the latest information on the casting director industry, visit Casting Society of America.
