How to cast the perfect actors?

If you’re reading this, then it is likely you have finished writing your first short film and wondering how to cast the perfect actor. In this blog I will be discussing three important things to consider when casting your main, secondary or extra actors.

The first thing to consider is do they look the part. This mainly concerns attributes such as; sex, age, hair and build - or any other specific character qualities stated in the script. The look of an actor has to be considered when casting as they should resemble the traits that the character in the script has experienced. For example; a soldier might need to have a chiselled jaw to show how physically fit they are.

The second thing to consider is can they play the part. There is no point casting an actor that looks how you envisioned the character to look when writing the script, as they won’t be able to embody and present the personality of that character in their dialogue and physical expressions when it comes to filming. For example; if there was a model that resembled Cinderella as seen in the animated classic, but was cold-hearted and rude, then it is unlikely they would be able to do the character justice.

The third and final thing to consider, is whether or not the actor has any ‘pull’ in the industry as this will increase your films exposure and potential profit. It would be good to consider actors who have recently filmed a different short film with similar themes and atmospheres as your own script, because they will be familiar with how a set is run and possibly the type of character you are asking them to play.

I hope these tips have helped you figure out what you might need from actors before you cast them and I’d love to know, in the comments, of any other things you might consider when casting actors.