Personal accounts are a valuable career tool for the established actor as well as the beginning actor.  A personal account allows you to view and submit yourself to Direct Cast notices - projects posted by professional casting directors and independent filmmakers. You'll also automatically be part of our Talent Scout program, in which agents have access your profile when they are searching for new clients.  In addition, casting directors have the ability to search the database of talent, which means they have the ability to contact you. You also have access to free mailing labels, school, photography, and demo reel directories and free sides. 

As an established actor seeking new representation you can create personal accounts that are automatically enrolled in the Talent Scout program.  You can choose what type of representation you are looking for and make your profile available to those agents. 

We also invite you to our bi-monthly industry networking mixers and monthly informational seminars. The industry mixers feature complimentary drinks and lots of networking. The seminar guests are various industry professionals (usually top casting directors). These events are included in your monthly fee (no extra charge!).

You will save on headshot reproductions and mass mailings since you will be able to e-mail your headshot and resume anywhere in the world. We continue to add new features to Casting Networks that are actor-friendly, so keep checking back!

All Personal Accounts include:

• Unlimited Direct Cast Submissions
• Video Hosting
• Five free video clips if uploaded online
• Your first headshot posted for free
• Talent Scout Program
• Emailed Project Notices
• Your own personal URL
• The ability to send your profile via email to anyone online
• A profile in the database searched by Casting Directors
• Access to sides for all projects
• Digital Photos taken in-house for background work
• Access to free mailing labels 
• Access to resource directors
• The Networker (LA Casting's Monthly Newsletter)
• Audition notices texted or emailed directly to your phone
• Access to Industry Seminars and Mixers

If you have representation, you should first contact them to create an account for you. If you aren't yet represented, you can stop by one of our four locations, or you can register online! Click "Register online" from our homepage (www.lacasting.com).

Please refer to these guidelines: http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/guidance/workpermit.htm

Represented Talent:

There is no cost for the Represented Talent Account. To be eligible for a Represented Talent Account you must be represented by an Agency registered with LA Casting. All Basic Services are Free. Your first photo is free and your resume may be entered by you or your agency at any time for free. If you would prefer that we enter the resume for you, the following charges will apply: $20 for Casting Networks to input a new resume - $10 for Casting Networks to update a resume.

Cost for LA Casting services:

For hosting, Direct Cast, or any recurring monthly fee, we accept only Visa and Mastercard. 

• Submit on Direct Cast- 99¢/each or

Premium Services on LA Casting:

• Unlimited Submissions to Direct Cast - $5/month
• Multi-Media Hosting - $5/month
• For a limited time: 5 free video clips
  included with your hosting fee
  (audio coming soon!)

Industry Seminars and Mixers is included with this option!

Personal Account:

Not Represented by an Agency? You can still create a Personal Account!

Includes all Basic Services plus the following Premium Services:

• Unlimited Submissions to Direct Cast
• Talent Scout. (meaning that your profile will be sent monthly to 300+ agencies on our site.)
  One out of three actors lands an agent with this service!
• Host 5 free video clips free (limited time offer)

Cost for LA Casting services:

For hosting, Direct Cast, or any recurring monthly fee, we accept only Visa and Mastercard.

• $10/month with a one time $20 set up fee.
• $54 for 6 months (No set up fee)
• $96 for 1 year (No set up fee)

Industry Seminars and Mixers is included with this option!

Both Represented Talent and Personal Account:

To update your photos:

Media Fees:

There is a $5 montly hosting fee for each account. To sign up for media hosting, just log into your account and click "Account" on the upper right hand corner of the Welcome screen. Click "Premium Services".

In addition to $5 hosting fees for each account, the following prices apply to add media:

We accept Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa and Mastercard for photos and prepaid personal accounts. Please make checks payable to Casting Networks. A $25 service fee will apply to all returned checks.

For hosting, Direct Cast, or any recurring monthly fee, we accept only Visa and Mastercard. 

Send an e-mail to billing@castingnetworks.com. The e-mail should include your name, the service you are canceling, and reason for cancellation (we ask for the reason in case there's any improvement we can make to the site in the future). We will remove the service from your account at the end of that month's billing cycle. Cancellation requests are processed M-F 9:30am-4pm and must be submitted at least 1 business day before your billing date to avoid getting charged.

Send an e-mail to billing@castingnetworks.com. The e-mail should include your name and reason for cancellation (we ask for the reason in case there's any improvement we can make to the site in the future). Your account will be deactivated, and you will no longer be charged the $10 monthly fee. Cancellation requests are processed M-F 9:30am-4pm and must be submitted at least 1 business day before your billing date to avoid getting charged.

No appointment is necessary. But please be advised that it does take an average of 30 minutes to set up your account.

We currently have four locations to serve you:

MAIN OFFICE:
Casting Networks
Crossroads of the World 
6671 Sunset Blvd. Suite 1511
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Map:

ADDITIONAL LOCATION:
Casting Networks
c/o Casting Studios
200 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Map:

VALLEY LOCATION:
Casting Networks
11425 Moorpark Street
Studio City, CA 91602
(enter through parking lot)

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Map:

WEST LOS ANGELES LOCATION:
Casting Networks
c/o 310 Casting Studios 
2329 Purdue Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90232

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Map:

Hollywood Location: Monday through Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm
Casting Studios Location: Monday through Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm
Valley Location: Monday through Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm
West Los Angeles Location: Monday through Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm

Simply click "Forgot Password?" under Member Login on the homepage, on the next page enter your username and a link to reset your password will be emailed to you.

1. Go to www.lacasting.com and login with your current username and password.
2. From the Welcome screen click Account (upper right-hand corner).
3. Scroll down and select Change Login/Password.
4. When you are finished making changes, click Change.

Login to your account from www.lacasting.com. On the Welcome screen, click Profile (upper right hand corner). When you have finished making changes, click Save & Continue at the bottom of the page.

There maybe two reasons why you are unable to see your resume.

1. Adding skills is not creating your resume.

This is additional information for you to enter that may not be found on your resume that you would like a casting director to know.

2. Your agent has you listed as having a model profile, which means your resume does not appear.

Please read the next question to see how to enter or update information on your resume.

1. Go to www.lacasting.com, and login to your account.
2. Click on EDIT RESUME from the  RESUME menu (upper right-hand corner) Or enter from the Common Tasks bar. (Figure 1)
3. To add a new heading click "+ Add a new heading here " (then save using the disk icon) .
4. To add a credit, click "+ Add a new credit here " (then save using the disk icon).
5. To move your headings or credits up or down click on the up and down arrows next to each listing.
6. To edit an existing entry click on the pencil symbol next to it.  When you are finished editing the listing, click on the disk symbol to save it.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Log in to www.lacasting.com and go to My Profiles (located under your Frequent Tasks box) and click

"Link Profile". From there enter the Username and Password of the profile you want to link and click link.

• From the WELCOME screen, click the DIRECT CAST NOTICES button.
   
• View the projects, and click on the role name located on the left and in blue. This will open a new window for that role, explaining a little more about the project and the roles that are being cast. To view extras jobs click EXTRAS ROLES (upper left-hand corner).
   
• Click SUBMIT next to the name of the role to submit yourself for the project. NOTE: PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT YOURSELF FOR ROLES THAT YOU ARE RIGHT FOR.
   
• This will bring you to the SUBMISSION page. Enter your contact phone numbers and your e-mail address at the top of the page. Choose which photo you would like to be the main photo on that submission by clicking the bullet next to DEFAULT PHOTO (located beneath the photo). NOTE: All of your photos will go along with the submission unless you click HIDE PHOTO. If you choose HIDE PHOTO, that photo will not be available to the casting people on that submission only.
   
• Click SUBMIT at the bottom of the page.

If a Casting Director is requesting a video on Direct Cast, there will be an area on the submission page that has the detailed request. You must be signed up for Media Hosting in order to submit the video (and it is not necessary to submit video in order to submit on that particular role.) You can upload a video from your media bin. If you have a webcam or video camera you can record yourself reading copy or performing a special skill.
If you already have the right video for the project in your media bin, it will appear on your submission page, you can select it and click submit.
When you submit video you are automatically on the top of the Casting Director's page!

Your email preferences are based on Union/Non-Union and "Fit-for-me" criteria, within your Profile. In order to filter non-paying roles, you can log in and go to the Direct Cast page and change your viewing preferences using our Advanced Filters option.

Advanced Filters allow you to have control of what projects you want to view, whether it's only Union/Non-Union, Commercial, Print, etc!

Our system is set up for all members to receive roles that match their criteria by age range, gender, ethnicity and whether it's Union or Non- Union.

Log in to your account and go to Profile. From there choose your Direct Cast/XCast Preferences and deselect your e-mail options.

You will now only be able to search projects by logging into your account and using Direct Cast/ XCast.

You have two options...

If you'd like to keep your personal account, you should contact your agent and have them set up an account for you.

If you'd prefer to stop paying for your personal account, you can change it into a represented account. To do so, send an e-mail to change@castingnetworks.com requesting the transfer along with an e-mail to billing@castingnetworks.com requesting to stop your monthly charges.

Be sure to include your name (stage name too) and your new agency information.  You get a free main photo update within 30 days of switching agents.  Please come to the main office with your new photo.

**Important Note Regarding Premium Services**  If you decide to cancel your personal account and go with a basic account registered to your agent, Hosting and Direct Cast Premium Services are not included.  If you are signed up for Hosting and Direct Cast you will continue to be billed at $5/month per service ($10 total).  If you would like to cancel any Premium Services, please contact billing@castingnetworks.com.

You must send an e-mail to change@castingnetworks.com. Please include the following information:

• Your name and phone number
• The agency you are moving from
• The agency you are moving to

IMPORTANT: In order for the change to take place, the e-mail address you send your request from must MATCH the e-mail address in your online profile. If this information is not in your online profile, you need to enter it into the appropriate field on the Profile screen (accessible by clicking on the Profile button at the top of your homepage).   

Photo Changes: Your first photo with any agency is free. After you change agencies, you have 30 days to update your main photo free of charge.  Please come in to one of our offices to redeem the free photo. Photos uploaded through the online Photo Uploader will incur a fee.   

Please Note: If you switch agencies and are paying for Hosting or Direct Cast Premium Services, these services will continue uninterrupted.  If you would like to cancel any of these services, please contact billing@castingnetworks.com

When creating your Profile, under Representation, you or your agent can input the information in the Agencies field. You can clear this information by simply logging in to your account - go to Profile - choose Representation - and clear the field. (Make sure to click Save at the bottom of the page.)

Remember, this is only a text field. It does not link to your agent.

No, you will not be able to see what projects your agent had submitted you for - you would have to contact your agent for that information.

Please call our office to re-register your account as a Personal Account and avoid having your account archived.

Technical support for talent is available Monday through Friday 10am to 6pm PST, excluding major holidays, by calling (323) 462-8200. If you prefer to use e-mail, please contact us at talentsupport@castingnetworks.com.

The Premiere photo is the picture most closely associated with your profile. This is the photo that will appear first when you are submitted or searched in the system. Additional photos can be viewed from within your profile. These are used to show different looks to casting directors and agents. You also have the ability to choose which one will be the Premiere photo each time you submit yourself for a job through Direct Cast, so that you can be more specific to the role that is being cast.

Currently, the process to update your additional photo to a Premiere is not available online. You can come in person to one of our four locations, or call our customer service at (323)462-8200 (M-F 9:30am-6pm) to put in your request.

*There is a $25 upgrade fee to move an existing additional photo on that account into the Premiere spot.

Request to copy photos for talent with multiple profiles carries a fee of $10 each photo.

With an understanding:

PREMIERE to PREMIERE = $10

PREMIERE to ADDITIONAL = $10

ADDITIONAL to ADDITIONAL = $10

ADDITIONAL to PREMIERE = $35 ( $10 copy fee, plus $25 upgrade fee for additional photo moved to Premiere spot.)

This request can be fulfilled by coming into any of our four locations or calling our customer service

(323) 462-8200 (M-F 9:30am-6pm).

Photos are posted within 24-48hrs following processing. So, if it hasn't been 24 hours yet, please give it a little time.  If you have emailed us photos using the photo uploading form, please note the process is not instantaneous.  We will send you an invoice within 1-2 business days and will post the photo when payment via Paypal has cleared.

If you still see your old photo after waiting 24 hours, you probably need to delete Temporary Internet Files in your internet browser. A computer will remember a page that you've been to previously to help you get there quicker the next time. So, you might be pulling information from your computer, rather than what's actually on the website.

To delete Temporary Internet Files using Internet Explorer, click on the "Tools" drop-down menu at the top of the screen. Click on "Internet Options". A new window will pop up. Click on "Delete" (in the middle, under the Browsing History heading). Another window will pop up asking to choose which files to delete. Check the box that says "Delete cookies ". A window will open asking for you to confirm your request, click "Yes" and then "Close".    (See Figure 1).

To delete temporary internet files using Firefox, click on the "Tools" drop-down menu at the top of the screen.  Click "Clear Private Data". Then click "Clear Cookies" and "Clear Cache". Then choose "Clear Private Data Now." (See Figure 2). 

Log back into your Casting Networks account. You should be able to see the new photos.

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

The system requires that you have Flash Player to view the photos. This is probably why you aren't able to see them.

To install Flash Player, simply visit our homepage at www.lacasting.com. There's a button on the bottom of the page that says "Get Macromedia Flash Player". Click on the button and follow the instructions.

Once the installation is complete, log back into your Casting Networks profile. You should be able to see the photos. If you still have problems, please give us a call at (323) 462-8200, and we will troubleshoot with you over the phone.

No. We can use any form of a photo. 8X10 is great, but we can also take 4X6 or snapshots or pictures on a disc. We don't like to scan photos much smaller than 4X6 simply because we would have to blow them up quite a bit to fit the dimensions of our website. They would end up looking quite blurry or pixelated.  If you would like to submit digital photos please make sure they are at least 500 pixels in height and 72 dpi. 

If you are redeeming a first free photo or an agency switch free photo, please come in to one of our offices. Otherwise, you can update your photos through your profile. The photo uploading form you fill out (accessible from the Resume screen) is sent in email format to our Photos department. The photo should be a JPEG image, with a resolution of 72 dpi and a height of at least 600 pixels.

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Figure 3:

Casting Directors are the only ones with access to your digital photos.  If you'd like to view your photos, please feel free to stop by one of our offices, and we'd be happy to show them to you.

If you would like a photo permanently removed, give us a call at (323) 462-8200 and we can delete it for you on our end. We are available Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm.

The limit is 50 photos per profile. 

If a Casting Director is requesting a video on Direct Cast, there will be an area on the submission page that has the detailed request. You must be signed up for Media Hosting in order to submit the video (and it is not necessary to submit video in order to submit on that particular role.) You can upload a video from your media bin. If you have a webcam or video camera you can record yourself reading copy or performing a special skill.
If you already have the right video for the project in your media bin, it will appear on your submission page, you can select it and click submit.
When you submit video you are automatically on the top of the Casting Director's page!

The online Video Uploader accepts the following video file extensions:

.3gp .3gp2 .avi .dv .mpg .mpg4 .mov .mqv .asf

Suggested in-house format: DVD video

If you need to convert your file to an accepted media type, you can use this website to do it for free: www.media-convert.com

Yes, we can! You can either bring the video into the main office at 6671 Sunset Blvd., Suite 1511, Los Angeles, 90028, or send it to us in the mail.

Either way, you need to download and complete the required form from the following link and include it with your media: http://www.lacasting.com/frontend/documents/resume.media.info.la.2007.pdf

Video File Upload

1. Make sure that the File tab is selected.

2. Open the folder with the video file and drag the highest quality version of the video that you have onto the Drop Zone.

After a few seconds of loading, the movie will be ready to edit and upload with the publisher.

Yes. Once you’re in your Media Bin, click on “Add Video to Cart”. The page will give you a link to download the plug-in necessary to view the Video Uploader. Click on “Get Plug-in” and run the program on your computer. This will guide you through the installation process. After the plug-in has finished installing, you can refresh your internet browser and the Video Uploader will display.

Most video cameras that can interface with the publisher use the IEEE 1394 stardard (often called Firewire or iLink).

1. To connect the video camera to a computer with an IEEE 1394 port, simply connect the digital video port on the camera (usually labeled DV or DV Out) to the Firewire port on the computer with a Firewire cable.

2. Turn the video camera on.

3. The camera should now be available for control via the publisher.

1. Connect your digital Video Camera (DV, DVC, Digi8) to your computer via an IEEE 1394 (aka Firewire or iLink) connection.

2. Turn the Video Camera on.

3. Place it in VCR mode (aka VTR mode or playback mode).

4. In the publisher, click the Video Camera tab.

5. If more than one video camera is available, select the Video Camera you want to capture from.

6. Using the controls provided by the publisher, rewind and fast forward to the point in the tape where you want to begin recording.

7. Press Play to start the tape at the desired place.

8. Press Start Capture to begin capturing the signal from the tape into the publisher.

9. Press the Done button to complete capture and proceed to edit mode.

1. Make sure that the webcam is plugged in and that you have the drivers supporting it installed.

2. In the publisher, click the Webcam tab.

3. If prompted, select your webcam from the list of connected devices. (Some webcam drivers cause two icons to appear that each represent the same webcam. If so, just pick one, they both work.)

4. Using the Audio Source Selection Box below the Preview Window, choose the audio source you want to record sound from.

When clicking on Add Video from the Frequent Tasks area on the Homepage, you will be able to upload 5 media clips for FREE* with paid Hosting, for a limited time. Click on the type of media clip you want to upload, video or audio. Browse your computer or outside source, locate the file, and click Upload.

Please reference the guidelines regarding uploaded files on LACasting.com.

Your demo reel (a six minute sample of your work) was the first innovation in casting that allowed casting directors to see examples of your work when considering you for auditions.  Skill clips is an even more direct way to showcase the skills you list in your resume in two minutes or less.  You're not just telling the casting director you can juggle, you’re proving it!

The file type is not the only thing that determines whether your media can be uploaded.  Your video may not have the correct compression and encoding.

Try to get a purer form of the media in order for it to upload.

Vista users: Unfortunately, the video uploader is currently not compatible with Vista.
Please come into one of our offices to upload your video or use a computer that does not have Vista.

Firefox users: Close out of Firefox and restart it. Once you log into your account again and add video to your cart, the video uploader will display.

Your clip must first be approved by Casting Networks.  It will be approved within 24 hours and then will be available to attach to your resume.

If you have a talent account on lacasting.com you can add a website for no fee until January 2008. After the trial period there will be a low hosting fee of only $5 per month.

There is a standard fee to place photos on lacasting.com; however, there is no fee to copy photos from your talent account to your website. Once you add photos to your talent account, they will automatically appear on your website. Be sure to check the Website Builder to verify your display options.

You can add photos to your website by logging in to your talent account on lacasting.com. From there, click the Resume menu at the top of your Welcome screen. Click on the Add photos button to upload photos to your account or from the Frequent Tasks area. In the note section, indicate if you want your photos to appear on the website, talent account or both.

You are seeing duplicate photos because you have linked accounts and all photos from the linked accounts are pulled into your Website Builder. Go to your Pictures page in the Website Builder and uncheck the photos you do not want to appear on the website. If you also show duplicates on your homepage, click on the Edit button below the Pictures title on the homepage.

You can change your website design at anytime by logging into your LA Casting talent account, then click on the "My Websites" tab. From there, you will click on Edit, and you can edit your website design on the first page, simply by clicking Select, then Finish.

Yes, you can edit your website at anytime, by clicking Edit under the “My Website” tab on your talent homepage. From there, you can enter the Website Builder and edit any and all information.

You can edit your website at anytime by clicking Edit under the “My Website” tab on your talent homepage. From there you will enter the Website Builder and click the Contact button on the right-hand side of the screen, then click Edit to change your contact info. Click Save when finished.

Visitors to your website will be able to email you through the Contact page on your website. Your email address doesn’t display on the website, but is required in the Website Builder in order for the Contact form to function. The reason we do not display your email address is to reduce the chance of your email address being used for spam.

Yes, you can have multiple websites. This is useful if you want your websites to describe different parts of your career, for example, if you are an actor and a director or an actor and a stylist. All you need to do is log in to your LA Casting talent account, then click on the “My Websites” tab. Click on Create New Website and you will go through steps to build your own website.

To delete a website, you will click the delete button next to the name of your website on your My Websites tab. Once you delete it, you cannot retrieve it again.

You can find your url by going into the Website Builder and clicking on the finish tab. Usually talent choose a url as follows: http://www.talent.lacasting.com/yourname

If you are unable to view your website, it may be one of two reasons. One reason is that you have not finished your website yet. To do so you will need to go inside the Website Builder and click the Finish button at the end of the process. The other reason you may not be able to view your website is that your payment has lapsed after January 2008. If you have not put in your payment, click on the “My Website” tab and click Edit. From there click on Edit Billing Info and reactivate your account.

You have two options for a domain name. You can use the domain name that you created with the Website Builder (talent.lacasting.com/yourname) or you can click the GoDaddy.com banner on the Confirmation page to create your personalized domain name with GoDaddy.com. They will assist you in linking your new domain name to the website you created using Casting Networks Website Builder.

You can redirect the URL name to point to the website you build with Casting Networks. To do so, you will need to contact the company you have purchased the url through, and ask them how to forward your url with masking to your Casting Networks url. Godaddy.com has information regarding masking at the below link: http://help.godaddy.com/article.php?article_id=424&topic_id=&isc=touchdown8

You will use the website address that was created for you when you finished the Website Builder – talent.lacasting.com/yourname. If you do not know your assigned website address you can find your website address or url by logging in to LAcasting.com and clicking on the “My Websites” tab on your Welcome screen. From there you can click on the edit button, then click on the Finish arrow on the upper left side of the screen. From there you will see your url.

Next you will need to contact the company you have purchased the domain name through, and ask them how to forward your url with masking to your Casting Networks url. Godaddy.com has information regarding masking at the below link: http://help.godaddy.com/article.php?article_id=424&topic_id=&isc=touchdown8

Please email your questions and comments to WebBuilder@castingnetworks.com.
Be sure to include your name and the website address.

Your agent can see your response on his/her worksheet. If your response is to reschedule or decline to the Audition Confirmation, your agent will contact you if necessary. If you accept, your agent and the casting director will be notified immediately.

You must be logged in for the link to go to the Confirmations page. Simply log in, click on the Alerts page, and find the audition notice that you need to respond to.

Currently, you will only be able to use the Confirmation link for projects released by Commercial Casting Directors. Until further notice, Independent Casting Directors will not have the Confirmation link and will communicate with you via phone or email.

Yes. However we advise you to be certain during your initial response. With any changes, please confirm the change with your agent.

The system is structured so that communication occurs in one place through the Confirmation link.

If you are non-represented, your response will go directly to the Casting Director.