How Languages Open Up More Castings

The languages on your profile decide a large part of which castings you see and can apply for. Most film, television and commercial productions cast in the language of the country they shoot in, so every language you can act in multiplies your opportunities.

Why one language is restrictive #

If you only speak English and you live in a country where English is not the main language, you will mostly match international productions and English-language roles, which are a small share of the castings in your area. For example, an actor in Portugal who speaks only English, for example, will miss most Portuguese productions. The same applies in every country: local productions want the local language first.

What to do now #

• List every language you can act in on your profile, not just your first language. Even a working level can be enough for roles with little dialogue, such as commercials and smaller parts.
• Record an MP3 voice reel in each language. When a role requires a language, you can only apply if your profile carries an MP3 reel demonstrating it. A short, well recorded speech sample in each of your languages keeps you ready to apply the moment a casting appears.
• Be honest about your level. Casting directors will hear your reel and see you in the audition. Listing a language you cannot deliver on wastes their time and yours. Remember, you don't have to be a native speaker and often films need a "foreign" sounding actor for different roles.

The long-term plan #

If you plan to work as an actor outside the main English-speaking markets, learning the local language is one of the best career investments you can make. It does not happen overnight, but every level you gain opens more roles:

• A basic level helps on set and in auditions, even for non-speaking roles.
• A conversational level opens commercials and supporting roles with limited dialogue.
• A fluent level puts the whole local market within reach, on top of the international productions you already match.

Actors who combine the local language with English are especially castable, because international productions shooting locally often need exactly that combination.

See also: Where can I find castings for my Age, Gender, Location, etc?