How to Become a Casting Associate in Florida

Casting associates do everything from sorting head shots to fetching coffee.

Casting associates – also known as casting assistants – work with casting directors to fill all the cast positions in film and television projects, from extras to leading men. Associates help casting directors find, audition and place talent, tasks that require a balance of administrative and creative abilities. There is no one right way to become a casting associate in Florida; you'll have to use a little gumption and ingenuity to get your foot in the door.

Instructions

1. Focus your education on film production by taking courses such as script analysis, video production and even introductory acting classes.Participate in as many student films and theatrical productions as possible. In Tallahassee, Florida State University (film.fsu.edu) offers film studies programs, as do schools such as Jacksonville University (ju.edu), Miami Dade College (mdc.edu/sedt), Fort Lauderdale's Nova Southeastern University (nova.edu), Orlando's University of Central Florida (ucf.edu), Winter Park's Full Sail University (fullsail.edu) and the University of Tampa (ut.edu).

2. Prepare a resume that highlights pertinent personal skills, such as a photographic memory, networking expertise or past experience casting community theater or student films. List organizational skills, administrative experience, secretarial experience and any production experience, including any preproduction or on-set experience. Take on work as a production assistant, stage manager or runner for local film and theater productions to build your resume as you seek work. Contact the Florida Film Commission at 850-410-4765 to inquire about current film productions happening in your area.

3. Contact casting directors and agencies. As of 2011, there are over 50 casting offices in the state of Florida. These include DiPrima Casting (diprimacasting.com) and Marquee Entertainment (marqueecasting.com) of Miami, Unique Casting (uniquecasting.com) in Orlando, Martini Shot Casting (martinishotcasting.com) in Jacksonville and Universal Casting (universalcast.com) in South Beach. Make calls, send emails and submit your resume. Follow up on any contact you've made with casting directors.

4. Take on an internship at a local casting office. Even if you don't get a job offer from a casting agency right off the bat, ask about internship opportunities. Work an internship with a casting office to build your resume and experience while you search for paid work.

5. Register with the Casting Society of America. If you've participated in casting sessions for 18 months or more and can obtain two letters of recommendation from casting directors in good standing with CSA, you're eligible for membership. CSA membership can help legitimize you in the eyes of casting directors, bolster your resume and provide you with valuable networking opportunities.

Tips & Warnings

• The path to becoming a casting associate is not unique to Florida. Follow the same general trajectory to become a casting associate in any state with an entertainment industry presence.

References

• Acting Answers: What is a Casting Associate?
• Get In Media: Casting Associate
• Production Hub: Casting Directors in Florida
• Casting Society of America: Casting Director and Associate Membership Requirements and Benefits
• Florida Film Commission: Film Schools/Programs
• Florida Film Commission: Contact Us

Resources

• How Did You Get That Job?; Audio Recording with Assistant Casting Director...; Susan Dansby; December 2010
• Casting Society of America
• University of West Florida; Analysis of the Florida Film and Entertainment Industry; Phyllis K. Pooley; February 2009
• Florida Film Commission