Blog: Casting

How to Build Stronger Relationships with Casting Directors Through Follow-Ups and Career Updates

By , June 13, 2025

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In an industry built on relationships, staying connected with casting directors can make all the difference in your acting journey. While talent gets you in the room, professionalism, consistency, and thoughtful communication help keep you on their radar. One of the most effective — and often underused — tools for building long-term relationships in this business? Follow-up notes and career updates.

Start Here: Build Your Casting Director Database

Before we dive into the specifics of effective casting director follow-up communication, it’s important to create a personal database of all your auditions, meetings, and interactions with casting professionals. This simple organizational habit helps you track key details — like who you've met, what project it was for, and when it happened — so your follow-up messages can be targeted, thoughtful, and professional.

Your Personal Casting Director Database: An Essential Behind-the-Scenes Tool

By , June 11, 2025

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Before you send a single thank-you note or career update, make sure you’ve built one of the most powerful and underrated tools in your actor toolkit: your Personal Casting Director Database.

Think of it as your professional memory bank — a simple, streamlined resource that helps you stay organized, strategic, and always one step ahead. When you’re auditioning regularly, networking at events, or connecting with new casting offices, it’s surprisingly easy to forget who you met, when, or what project you auditioned for. That’s where your personal database comes in.

It’s not just about staying tidy. It’s about tracking your career growth, strengthening your follow-up game, and treating your casting relationships with the respect and professionalism they deserve.

Artios Awards: An Opportunity to Evolve Your Relationship with Casting Directors

By , March 04, 2024

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Casting director relationships are the backbone of a successful performance career. Whether you are just starting to build a professional career or continuing to rejuvenate an already flourishing career, casting directors are your most valuable friends. Professional updates to casting directors that you have already met or those that you have targeted to introduce your talent to are a valuable PR tool to enhance your career momentum. You are your first Press Agent!

Until your career has reached name recognition or you book a high-profile starring role, you are your best publicist. You have 3 desirable press agent qualities - you are passionate about your work, are your number one client and you are affordable. As an aspiring actor, this is one of the most important practices to commit to doing. Being your own press agent from the very start of your career will not only accelerate your success but will keep you feeling in the game when auditions and work are on a low cycle. Making follow-up notes and project research a part of your weekly career work is a habit to cultivate and grow.

There are many ways to professionally follow up with casting directors after auditions, meetings, and career news and bookings. Up-To-Date Actor members have access to our extensive resource section with tips, advice, and examples for cover letters, follow-ups, and more. One opportunity that is often overlooked is sending a congratulations email to casting directors for an Artios Award Nomination and Win.

Can a Non-Union Actor Submit for Union Film, TV, or Theatre Projects?

By , January 21, 2024

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In the world of acting, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, one question that often arises is whether a non-union actor can submit for union film, TV, or theatre projects. It's a topic that has sparked debates and discussions in the entertainment industry for years. In this comprehensive blog post, we'll explore the intricacies of this issue, examining the pros and cons, and provide guidance for non-union actors aspiring to break into the world of union productions.

How to Reach Out to Theatre Casting Directors

By , July 01, 2022

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The process of reaching out to casting directors for theatre project submissions differs slightly from that of general Film/TV project submissions.

One similarity is your ability to research and get specific! Like television, there is a lot of information available prior to a theatre production. As a theatre performer, you should be prepared with a list of 5-10 roles in specific plays that you are right for. Look to the roles you have already worked on in acting class.

For most theatre audition notices the roles and storyline will already be available, which makes it easier to be more specific in the submission for a particular role. Up-To-Date Actor lists public EPA and audition notices for union regional theatre projects. EPAs and audition notices are great, but don’t let that be your only option! If you don’t see an upcoming audition but are interested in a certain production, call the producing company or regional theatre directly.

Can You Directly Reach Out to Film/TV Casting Directors?

By , June 20, 2022

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The life of an actor requires continuously putting yourself out there to gain visibility and recognition. To get cast in a production, it used to be par for the course for actors to send general submissions to casting directors via mass mailers with their headshots, resumes, and cover letters enclosed. Casting directors and agents would then sift through the mail, select the actors they were interested in, and invite them to perform as a means of getting to know this new talent.

The “general submission” practice has since fallen by the wayside, especially in New York City and Los Angeles, and has been replaced with the rising success of paid networking seminars. While this was the norm for a while, the pandemic uprooted things once again, making it all the more important to understand how to navigate the nuances of “Specific General Submission,” as well as proper etiquette for crafting a cover letter, whether to mail or email a submission and how to follow up with casting directors at networking events.