For Clients · 5 min read
How to write a casting brief that gets the right cast
The briefs that produce great shortlists all share four things. A short guide for creative directors and producers.
Tell us the story, not just the specs
Height ranges and sizes narrow a list. What actually produces the right shortlist is the story — the mood, the reference, the feeling on the page. Send the moodboard. Send the reference you are worried is too obvious.
Be specific about usage up front
Territory, duration, media and exclusivity determine the fee and often the availability. Getting this into the first email rather than the third saves everyone two days.
Tell us your constraints
Budget, shoot date, location and turnaround are not embarrassing details — they are the frame we cast inside. A realistic brief on Monday beats an aspirational one that collapses on Thursday.
Trust the shortlist, then push back on it
Our shortlists are curated, not exhaustive. If the first round is not right, tell us which direction is wrong and we will turn a second round quickly.
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