Finding auditions is the first step to building your acting career. While your agent remains your primary source for professional opportunities, the modern actor must take control of their career by actively searching for work online.

Start with Your Agent #

Your talent agent is your first resource. Agents have direct relationships with casting directors and receive breakdowns for professional productions. They negotiate your contracts and protect your interests. If you have an agent, they should be your main source of auditions.

Take Control: Search for Yourself #

Even with excellent representation, successful actors search for opportunities themselves. Many casting directors post roles directly to online platforms. Some productions bypass agents entirely and cast through websites. Whether you have an agent or not, you need an active presence on casting platforms.

Why Paid Platforms Are Worth Every Penny #

Most professional casting platforms charge annual fees. Many actors hesitate to pay, but this investment is essential for your career. Here's why you should always pay for quality platforms.

Casting directors and producers visit these sites daily, searching for talent. Your profile sits in their database even when no current roles match your type. They browse profiles, save interesting actors, and contact them for future projects. Having a paid profile means you're visible year-round, not just when you apply for specific roles.

The subscription cost typically ranges from twenty or thirty dollars to several hundred dollars annually. Compare that to the day rate for a single booking, which can be $500 to $5,000. One job from these platforms covers years of membership fees.

United States: Multiple Options #

Actors Access remains the industry standard in America. It's part of Breakdown Services, the system casting directors use daily. The basic service is free, but the Actors Access Plus subscription ($68 yearly or $9.99 monthly) gives you unlimited submissions and priority placement.

Visit: https://www.actorsaccess.com

Backstage is another major platform with over 100,000 profiles in their database. They post thousands of new roles weekly for theatre, film, television, and commercials across the country. Their filtering system helps casting directors find specific types quickly.

Visit: https://www.backstage.com

Casting Networks serves both US and Canadian markets. Over 1.2 million members use this platform, with 20,000 industry professionals searching for talent. Many major productions cast exclusively through this system.

Visit: https://www.castingnetworks.com

United Kingdom: Spotlight Dominates #

Spotlight has been the UK casting standard since 1927. Every major British production uses Spotlight first. The platform hosts over 60,000 performers including actors, dancers, and presenters.

Getting accepted requires either one year of full-time training at an accredited UK drama school or at least four professional credits in featured speaking roles. The membership costs £205.80 annually (£18.72 monthly). US casting directors also use Spotlight when casting UK roles.

Note that without an agent, the castings you will see are fairly theatre focussed and are not usually major productions which are in an "agents only" section.

Visit: https://www.spotlight.com

Canada: Professional Resources #

Casting Networks dominates the Canadian market just as it does in America. With $299.90 USD yearly ($29.99 monthly) for premium membership, it's expensive but essential. Canada's film industry rivals Los Angeles in production volume, making this investment crucial for Canadian actors.

Casting Workbook works alongside Casting Networks in Canada. At approximately $10 CAD monthly, it's more affordable. Their mobile app lets you record and submit self-tapes directly from your phone, which is perfect for quick turnaround auditions.

Visit: https://www.castingnetworks.com/canada-auditions-and-casting-calls

Europe: Continental Connections #

enCAST is one of Europe's major casting platforms, connecting actors across the entire continent with productions of all sizes. The platform serves actors from ages 16 to 99, representing all nationalities and ethnicities throughout Europe with casting calls in multiple languages and locations. The profiles are particularly well done and used by casting directors to find actors directly; the castings are usually small to indie productions.

Visit: https://www.encast.pro

e-TALENTA is a non-profit platform. Castings tend to be fewer but they do include some bigger advertisements and larger indie films.

Visit: https://www.e-talenta.eu

Australia: Growing Industry #

StarNow leads the Australian market and is expanding into the US, UK, and South Africa. Founded in 2004, it offers both free and paid memberships. The paid option gives you unlimited applications and priority visibility. Australian productions increasingly use StarNow for all casting levels.

Visit: https://www.starnow.com/casting/open-casting-calls/australia-acting-jobs

Casting Networks also operates in Australia alongside their US and Canadian services.

Showcast and Altai are additional platforms used by Australian casting directors for searching local talent.

New Zealand: Small But Active #

BGT Actors Models & Talent is New Zealand's leading agency, established in 1998. They cast for major productions including Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Rings of Power. BGT maintains an online system for registering talent.

Visit: https://www.bgt.nz

AT2 Casting operates across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK. It's one of the southern hemisphere's largest professional online casting systems.

Visit: https://www.at2casting.com/NZ

South Africa: Emerging Market #

StarNow operates in South Africa alongside Australia and other regions. The platform lists local productions, commercials, and independent films.

AT2 Casting also serves the South African market with connections to Australian and New Zealand productions.

Additional Global Platforms #

IMDbPro offers an unexpected casting resource. While primarily known as an industry database, IMDbPro maintains active casting boards. The submission system lets you forward your actual IMDb page to casting directors. Membership costs $19.99 monthly or $149.99 annually. Castings here are almost exclusively in the USA.

Visit: https://pro.imdb.com

Maintain Your Profiles #

Create complete profiles on every relevant platform for your region. Upload professional headshots, update your resume regularly, and add new showreel footage whenever possible. Casting directors search these databases using specific filters. The more complete your information, the more often you'll appear in their searches.

List all your skills honestly. If you speak multiple languages, ride horses, or have combat training, include it. These special skills often determine who gets seen for roles.

Beyond the Major Platforms #

Facebook Groups offer informal casting opportunities. Search for actor groups in your city or region. Many independent filmmakers and student productions post casting calls in these groups. Join groups like "Actors Wanted" or "[Your City] Casting Calls."

The Bottom Line #

Success in acting requires aggressive self-promotion. Your agent works for you, but you must drive your career. Invest in the major platforms for your region. Keep your profiles current. Apply to roles consistently. Even when applications don't lead to immediate auditions, casting directors see your name and face repeatedly, building familiarity that leads to future opportunities.

Pay for the platforms. Show up professionally. Apply consistently. Your next great role is waiting on one of these sites.