“You’ve Got Pinned”

Your agent calls and excitedly says, “You’ve got Pinned!” What does that mean? Getting “pinned” means you were shortlisted for a role by a casting director or a production team. When an actor is “pinned” for a role, it means they have impressed the casting team during auditions or casting calls, and they are being seriously considered for the part.

Being “pinned” is often a step in the casting process before final decisions are made, contracts are signed, and the role is officially cast. It’s a positive sign for an actor because it assures them they are in contention for the role, but it doesn’t guarantee they will ultimately be chosen.

Any time you hear from your agent that you got pinned is a reason for celebration. When a production has three great actors they love, they want to “pin” all three at first. But since there is only one job, two equally impressive actors will get “unpinned” to no fault of their own. For that reason, when you hear that you got pinned, celebrate the fact that you are perfect for that role and did a great job auditioning.

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The Excitement

You should feel excited if you get pinned for a role as an actor! Pinning actors is a significant step in the casting process. While their final pick is yet to be decided, being pinned is a positive sign that you – the actor – are in contention and have a good chance of landing the role. It is natural to feel excited and encouraged by this development in your acting career.

Every time your agent says you got pinned, you know you have improved your acting skills and strengths. Your agent respects you even more, and the business sees you as a high-level actor. So, regardless of the unpredictable outcome of the final pick, always celebrate this victory.

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What Happens After You Got Pinned

After hearing you’ve got pinned, you hang up the phone and celebrate – that may mean calling your mother or telling your friends. Do not overshare this information yet because it may cause unintended consequences such as:

• Someone “leaks” it on social media and you get “unpinned” (or released) as a result;
• the excitement your friends and family feel turns into an expectation that you will certainly get the part;
• if you don’t ultimately get the role, everyone is disappointed (you may be ok with it, but your parents may question your career choice).

So, the first step to take is to manage the secrecy of this step of the process and save the big announcements for later – once everything is final, confirmed, and approved by casting and production to be shared. Then, a few more things will happen. Let’s talk about them.

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Meetings After You Got Pinned

Chemistry Reads

Depending on the production process, you may be called in for additional auditions or meetings with the casting team, director, or producers. This could be for further assessment or to discuss details about the role and production.

A chemistry read, also known as a chemistry test or chemistry audition, is an audition process where actors under consideration for roles that involve a close relationship, such as romantic partners, family members, or close friends, are brought together to see how well they interact with each other on screen. The purpose of a chemistry read is to determine if the actors have believable and compelling chemistry together, as this is crucial for the success of the roles and the overall dynamics of the story.

During a chemistry read, actors may perform scenes from the script with each other, allowing the casting director, producers, and other members of the production team to assess their chemistry and on-screen compatibility. This process helps ensure that the actors in consideration can convincingly portray the relationship dynamics required for the roles.

Chemistry reads are particularly common in casting for roles where the relationship between characters is central to the plot or where the project’s success relies heavily on the chemistry between the actors.

Executive Meetings

An executive meeting is when high-level decision-makers within the production company or studio talk after meeting the actors. After the chemistry read, the executives may discuss the actor’s performance, particularly focusing on the chemistry between potential cast members and how well they fit the roles. Executives discuss various aspects related to casting, such as:

1. Chemistry between actors: Executives may discuss their observations and impressions of the chemistry between actors who participated in the chemistry read. They may analyze whether the actors’ interactions felt authentic and whether they believe the pairings would work well on screen.
2. Alignment with project goals: Executives may evaluate how each actor’s performance aligns with the vision and goals of the project. They may consider factors such as the tone of the production, target audience, and artistic direction.
3. Budget considerations: Executives may discuss actors’ fees and ensure that casting choices align with the project’s budget constraints.
4. Impact on production schedule: Executives may need to consider actors’ availability for filming dates and any scheduling conflicts that may arise.
5. Marketability and potential audience appeal: Executives may evaluate how casting decisions could affect the project’s commercial viability and appeal to the target audience. Furthermore, they may consider the actors’ popularity, past performances, and demographic appeal.

Ultimately, the executive meeting is a forum for key decision-makers to discuss and finalize casting decisions based on various considerations.

[Read also: Tips For A Great Agent Meeting]

Contract Negotiations: Hired Yet?

If they decide to move forward with you for the role, discussions about contracts and terms may begin. This involves negotiations regarding your compensation, schedule, and other contractual obligations. A good agent will get you as much money as possible for your value and experience. But that is not all – they can negotiate perks such as:

• clothes, makeup, and even wigs for the role that you may keep if you want;
• a nice and private “green room” such as an upgraded trailer with amenities in it like a big TV or a comfortable couch;
• travel requirements such as being able to bring a friend or family member, and always traveling first class.

Although the perks suggested above are not certain you will get, a good agent knows that not everything is on the paycheck. A few things they may not get a commission for can make you a happy client for them and a better actor due to being treated nicely.

Contract negotiations can take some time, and they are not the final word on whether or not you are hired for the job. Do not fear that stage of the process: more than one of the actors who got pinned may enter contract negotiations. It is unlikely that something your agent asks for (like money or perks) will remove you from consideration. Ultimately, they still have only one role to cast and more than one actor pinned, and the final decision will be more likely based on chemistry read and availability than money and perks.

[Read also: 9 Insanely Common Misconceptions About Agents]

Congratulations: You’ve Got The Role!

Even though you got pinned, there may still be other pinned actors in consideration, so it is not a guarantee that you will get the part. Once they make a final decision, you will either be confirmed for the role, and contracts will be signed, or you may be released if another actor is chosen. If you are confirmed, congratulations! You have landed the role.

Only after all of the previously mentioned stages of casting will you get a confirmation about getting the role. The reason why you should celebrate as soon as you got pinned is because almost everything after that stage has very little you can control.

If contract negotiations do not turn into an actual contract, that is probably because a different actor who also got pinned was a better fit. In case he or she were not hired (due to any conflicts such as availability or their fee), you would get your chance.

Again, this was nothing you could control. You are still a great actor for getting pinned in the first place.

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