Casting Issues

[EmperorsFadingLight]

I was having trouble gathering a cast for the project I'm working on currently (maybe my own fault for trying to do something with 15 characters in it), but I finally got it filled.

http://www.audiodramatalk.com/showthread.php?t=18148

Someone please tell me if I'm wrong in this, but what I like to do is open the casting call then go back to fill spots that are not filled afterward. I've been mostly sucessful with this.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions.

[Bill Hollweg]

That's what I do- give the world a chance- usually in a 2 week time frame
<longer if people ask for a bit more time>
then whatever does not get filled- I ninja cast- and get to the fun part- stereo KA BOOMS in the mix vats!
;-)

Mind you I have 25 VA's in the opening scene <It's a Tavern and a Brawl breaks out> of the next Grog and Gryphon Fantasy I do. And usually have 30-40 VA's an ep. Makes it a bit trickier to get lines in and complicates the mixing- but man is it FUN!
;-)

So cast away/mix away- and get groovy with it man!

[JulieH]

There is no wrong answer, really. As the producer, you have to do what's most convenient for you - otherwise, it's your time, your stress level, and your aggravation.

I loathe holding auditions, so i only do it once or twice a year (mainly to remind myself why I hate them so much). If people want to get involved with my shows, they can drop me a line - I ninja-cast 99.9% of everything.

[ZacksQuest]

One of my projects, I am having trouble gaining a cast, but mainly because the group of people that work on it are either unfamiliar or uncaring of the genre, the plot, or just never knew the original stories (Dick Tracy). The other, I have had immense numbers of auditioners, but by the time came when I sent out the scripts I have yet to get them back... though it makes sense, it's nearly 25 pages divided between about twelve cast members (War of 1000 Insects) though I find that people find a greater need to send out auditions if the deadline is closer than three weeks, and will find a need to be lenient with it... it also removes the people who audition in a laid back manner in which they may have potential or they may just really be terrible at it... I'm ashamed to say it but the person I cast for Dick Tracy, while he is great with emotion and dialogue, has a little trouble with diction and a little too high a voice for Dick Tracy... but still, he's not bad and certainly a good choice...

All that rambling and that little section of me digressing near the end adds up to one thing: make your deadlines between 2-3 weeks to give people a more focused mood and- also- this seems to make the auditions either better in quality or more focused, as if the VA was not only trying hard, he/she was trying even harder... just a small detail I've noticed.