Ask any savvy HR Manager and they will tell you that they always keep a steady pipeline of potential candidate profiles for roles they may need to fill in the future. It means when the business has a need, the time to fulfill that role with a suitable candidate is significantly reduced and with higher quality outcomes.
In the entertainment industry this approach to hiring is even more critical due to the transient, fluctuating and diverse needs for skilled performers within critical deadlines.
However it seems that many production and casting companies still take a traditional approach to casting —characterized by intense bursts of audition and recruit activity followed by long periods of inactivity—which often lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities and undue pressure on both talent and casting teams.
The concept of always-on casting presents a compelling alternative, offering a more continuous and streamlined pipeline to discover and engage with talent.
Talent shortage is an industry wide issue
Always-on casting means that your doors are perpetually open for applications, allowing talent to create their profile and apply at their convenience rather than within a narrow window. This approach not only widens the pool of potential candidates but also ensures that you never miss out on discovering unique or emerging talents who might be the perfect fit for future projects. By maintaining a constant flow of talent, casting directors can keep their finger on the pulse of the talent market, staying updated with potential candidates.
Research in talent acquisition supports this notion. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology by Schmidt and Hunter (1998), increasing the number of candidates generally leads to better hiring outcomes, as it improves the chances of finding the right fit for a role. Always-on casting facilitates this by providing a continuous stream of talent, enhancing the likelihood of discovering the exceptional and diverse.
Create a happy and efficient team
Traditional casting calls often create a ‘feast or famine’ scenario where casting teams go from periods of inactivity to being overwhelmed with applications and auditions. This can lead to rushed decisions, burnout among staff, increased costs of venue hire and a less thorough vetting process.
An always-on system distributes this workload evenly over time, allowing teams to process applications and conduct auditions at a more manageable pace. This not only improves the work environment but also enhances decision-making quality.
Enhancing Diversity and Inclusivity
Always-on casting can also enhance diversity and inclusivity in casting decisions. By keeping the profile creation and application process open indefinitely, it encourages a broader spectrum of talent from various backgrounds, ages and experiences to apply, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to be considered for roles across the year. This ongoing process helps to break down barriers and widen representation within the industry. Measuring and collecting data also helps with reporting and analyzing to understand where, who and what the diversity makeup is of your talent pipeline.
What is critical in implementing always on casting?
The backbone of an effective always-on casting system is robust technology. Utilizing a digital platform where talent can submit their applications, reels, profile and portfolios at any time can streamline the process significantly.
Creating a delightful experience where talent can create and manage their profile means their profile and applications can automatically be loaded into a searchable database with all talent information categorized by skill set and media files easily accessed and reviewed within the context of the talent and within one platform.
With continuous casting, every application and audition contributes to building a comprehensive talent database that can be invaluable for both current and future projects. This repository allows casting directors to quickly find and revisit profiles that may not have been a fit for past projects but could be ideal for new ones. It essentially turns the casting process into a cumulative asset rather than a periodic project.
In Summary
Switching to an always-on casting approach could significantly transform how talent is sourced and engaged in the entertainment industry. It promises not just greater efficiency and a more sustained workload, but also a more inclusive and rich talent pool that can be tapped into at any time. For an industry that thrives on creativity and diversity, always-on casting is not just a logistical improvement—it’s a strategic advantage.
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