A Secret Double Life

It is becoming increasingly common for casting directors to venture into secret side businesses before establishing a solid reputation. Some companies, notorious for promising acting training but essentially offering access to casting directors, are now promoting workshops featuring relatively inexperienced casting directors. Since there is no formal requirement to become a casting director—someone could even earn the title as an intern at a casting office—these “professionals” are flooding the market with workshops targeted at desperate actors.

Casting directors typically lack formal acting training and shouldn’t be in the business of coaching actors. While it seems logical that selling “classes” and “workshops” should be illegal for them, unfortunately, it is not. The absence of regulation in this sector enables the exploitation of actors, with the primary motivation being financial gain for these casting directors turned “teachers.”

This unethical practice is harmful to actors. The secret double life of casting directors also makes it hard to distinguish between legitimate acting training and scams. It is increasingly challenging for actors to discern between valuable opportunities and traps. Therefore, actors must remain vigilant to avoid falling prey to these increasingly common schemes.

[Read also: 6 Reasons to Never Pay to Be in a Talent Showcase]

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Secret Motivations

Behind the unethical practice of providing “training” in something they are not trained for (acting), there are common motivations for casting directors. From taking advantage of the lack of regulation to making income from a side gig, power and pressure can also be reasons why they choose this dark path.

The Secret Financial Temptation

Like any independent professional, casting directors depend on a steady workflow for their income. Unfortunately, work is as inconsistent for them as it is for actors. Actors typically take side gigs at entirely different businesses. Experienced actors who are qualified to train fellow actors may work as acting coaches on the side.

The issue for casting professionals is that casting is a unique skill. It is not an easily transferrable skill. Therefore, finding a related side gig is a challenge. While actors leave their pride at the door when taking retail and hospitality jobs to support themselves between acting jobs, casting directors have not yet overcome that pride. God forbid they would be recognized by an actor – or worse, an executive director – at Target or Trader Joe’s.

The temptation to “charge for their time” is strong. Gathering a group of actors who want to:

• improve their chances of booking jobs;
• understand the minds of casting directors;
• simply be seen and considered for auditions,

is too great to ignore. The result is what has become an increasingly exploitative practice: the numerous “classes,” “workshops,” and “talent showcases” that bring no tangible value for the actor. 

[Read also: 5 Lessons From Casting Directors Workshops]

Power Dynamics: Not a Secret

Power dynamics is undeniably significant in the entertainment industry. Casting directors hold considerable influence over actors’ careers. This power dynamic can create situations where actors feel pressured to comply with recommendations or requests, even if they suspect they may not be in their best interest.

Casting directors hold the key to various roles actors dream of. This influence can create a dynamic where actors feel compelled to follow casting directors’ suggestions, even if they harbor doubts about the intentions behind them. For example, actors may feel pressured to enroll in expensive classes or workshops recommended by casting directors in hopes of securing auditions. The imbalance of power within the industry can lead actors to make decisions that do not provide measurable value to their acting journey.

Actors cave to the pressure of paying to meet casting directors because:

• they find it challenging to get access to good auditions;
• actors may believe that building relationships in the industry means they will have to invest money into something that feels unethical;
• they are encouraged by industry peers to experiment with casting directors’ classes;
• many actors think casting directors are the final decision-makers in the casting process.

The influence casting directors hold over actors’ careers, often wielded in secret, can create a dynamic where actors feel compelled to comply with recommendations or requests, even if they have doubts about that type of investment.

[Read also: Acting Gurus: The Dark Side of The Business]

Lack of Regulation

The lack of rules over acting classes has led to exploitation in the industry. Without clear guidelines, people without proper acting training can pose as teachers, taking advantage of hopeful actors. This lack of rules allows unqualified individuals, including casting directors, to offer classes promising career growth without delivering real benefits. As a result, actors may invest time and money into programs that do not help them improve or advance their careers. This situation also encourages unfair practices like favoritism or kickbacks – further forms of exploiting actors.

The lack of regulation we are talking about allows for casting directors to:

• “teach” acting when they have never worked or trained as actors;
• imply favoritism towards actors who pay to attend their workshops;
• subtly pressure agents to refer actors to their “classes” to increase their odds of booking roles. 

Ultimately, it’s up to the actor to resist the pressure of paying casting directors. Opting for legitimate classes taught by experienced and well-trained actors is a much wiser choice.

[Read also: 5 Ways To Spot an Acting Scam]

Competition and Pressure

In the entertainment industry, competition is fierce, and the pressure to succeed is intense. This can lead some people to use unethical tactics to get ahead or stay on top. For example, casting directors might imply favoritism towards actors who show up frequently to their classes. In reality, attending classes and workshops by casting directors is not a guarantee of special access to auditions. In general, casting directors forget about actors they met at workshops as quickly as they get back to actual casting.

The pressure to attend workshops and showcases sometimes comes from insiders. Agents who are close friends with casting directors and fellow actors who believe in investing in networking through classes may be the ones who convince an actor to leap. Actors who succumb to the pressure mistakenly believe that:

• the name of a casting director on their resume can be valuable;
• casting decisions are made in “classes” and “workshops” unrelated to an actual project’s casting process;
• “classes” where actors compete for the attention of a casting director are a good way to network.

In our competitive industry, where everyone wants to succeed, some people use questionable methods to try to get ahead. But attending casting workshops does not mean you will get special treatment or more auditions. There are other ways to make connections, and building industry relationships takes time. Having a casting director’s name on an acting resume does not open doors.

[Read also: Industry Pros Actors Must Network With]

Ignorance or Naiveté

It is no secret that actors sincerely appreciate casting directors. We love them, respect them, and want them as partners in our successful journeys. We know that not all casting directors who “teach classes” have only financial motivations and exploitative intent.

Some casting directors may genuinely believe that the classes they “teach” can benefit actors. However, what they do when they charge to train actors is unethical. Well-meaning casting directors may genuinely believe that giving actors access to their insights can:

• ensure the actors will meet the casting director’s expectations of behavior and professionalism during the casting process;
• help the actor by talking about the “behind-the-scenes” of the industry
• boost the actor’s confidence.

However:

• Professionalism is a skill that comes with maturity and experience. It can not be taught at a workshop.
• The “behind-the-scenes” aspect of the industry should be left to small talk backstage and in green rooms.
• Confidence is a personal trait and is often overrated.

As actors, we count on casting directors to be ethical. It can be demoralizing to feel that our lack of opportunities is due to refusing to pay to be seen.

[Read also: The Mindset Shift That Can Help You Overcome Audition Fails]

An Open Secret

Casting workshops and similar classes are no longer a well-hidden secret. Casting directors and their assistants are openly offering them from their offices or those of companies that exist solely for this exploitative purpose. When searching for legitimate classes that can improve an actor’s ability to perform, we are flooded with results showing paid showcases and other workshops by casting directors.

The subliminal message is: “Actors need to be seen by casting directors and this is a great shortcut.” Nevertheless, the disclosure will come in the fine print, saying something like: “Attending this class is at your risk and for educational purposes only. It does not guarantee employment opportunities.”

The best course of action is to avoid the temptation of paying to meet casting directors. Invest your time and money in legitimate classes that teach you to improve your technique, like:

• Stanislavsky method classes;
• improv;
• scene work.

Forget about the shortcuts. It is through your talent and dedicated work that you will build your industry relationships. Moreover, legitimate classes are a better way to network because no one is there competing for a casting director’s attention.

[Read also: 10 Surprising Reasons Method Actors Are Highly Respected]

When You Can’t Avoid the Trap

In some cases, you might find it hard to avoid attending casting directors’ classes, especially in smaller markets outside of major cities like Los Angeles. The farther you are from big casting offices, the tougher it can be to get auditions. Additionally, in smaller markets, agents and casting directors often have long-standing personal relationships. They may regularly refer actors to each other, even though this practice is unethical. However, it’s not always malicious; sometimes they genuinely believe they’re helping actors this way.

If you find yourself in this situation, be cautious about your choices. Make it clear to casting directors that you recognize the power dynamics but don’t seek validation through their classes. Your agent should understand where you want to invest your training money and support your decisions. They should also prioritize your interests over any recommendations they make.

Above all, your agent should never accept commissions from casting directors’ classes. Agents who engage in such practices aren’t trustworthy and shouldn’t be relied upon. If you discover your agent is involved in unethical behavior, it’s best to part ways with them.

[Read also: 3 Ways to Jumpstart Your Acting Career]

Conclusion

In our industry, the trend of casting directors delving into secret side businesses, particularly offering classes and workshops, is on the rise. These workshops often promise access to casting directors but deliver little real value for actors. The lack of regulation in this area allows for exploitation, with financial gain being the primary motivation for casting directors turned “teachers.” This unethical practice harms actors and blurs the line between legitimate training and scams.

Actors must remain vigilant to avoid these traps, focusing instead on genuine opportunities to advance their careers. Actors must prioritize their integrity and invest in training that supports their artistic growth. Ultimately, by rejecting exploitative practices and investing in legitimate training, actors can build the skills and connections needed to succeed in the industry.

Finally, actors admire and respect casting directors. Refusing to pay to meet them is a personal choice. Casting directors and agents must respect an actor’s decisions about where they want to invest money to further their career.

[Read also: 5 Super Practical Reasons To Take Online Acting Classes]

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