Login Now to visit your portfolio or Create An Account if you don't already have one.

Job Definition
Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.
Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Interests
Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Knowledge
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Skills
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Tasks
Arrange for and/or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
Attend or view productions in order to maintain knowledge of available actors.
Audition and interview performers in order to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
Contact agents and actors in order to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
Locate performers or extras for crowd and background scenes, and stand-ins or photo doubles for actors, by direct contact or through agents.
Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.
Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
Read scripts and confer with producers in order to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.
Review performer information such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, in order to decide whom to audition for parts.
Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
Hire and supervise workers who help locate people with specified attributes and talents.
Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
Wages

Data not available

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 21,100 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 24,700 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 360 openings due to growth and about 630 replacement openings for approximately 990 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Radio and Television - A program that focuses on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages, and that prepares individuals to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. Includes instruction in media aesthetics; planning, scheduling, and production; writing and editing; performing and directing; personnel and facilities management; marketing and distribution; media regulations, law, and policy; and principles of broadcast technology.
Directing and Theatrical Production - A program that prepares individuals to manage the planning, design, preparation, and production of plays and other theatrical entertainment programs. Includes instruction in theatrical design, program management, dramatic production, rehearsal management, personnel management and casting, actor coaching, directing concepts and techniques, theater history, scene work, script interpretation, business management, marketing, public relations, and communications skills.
Similar Occupations
Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators - Investigate, analyze, and determine the extent of insurance company's liability concerning personal, casualty, or property loss or damages, and attempt to effect settlement with claimants. Correspond with or interview medical specialists, agents, witnesses, or claimants to compile information. Calculate benefit payments and approve payment of claims within a certain monetary limit.
Personnel Recruiters - Seek out, interview, and screen applicants to fill existing and future job openings and promote career opportunities within an organization.
Appraisers, Real Estate - Appraise real property to determine its value for purchase, sales, investment, mortgage, or loan purposes.
Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio - Interpret script, conduct rehearsals, and direct activities of cast and technical crew for stage, motion pictures, television, or radio programs.
Technical Directors/Managers - Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
Advertising Sales Agents - Sell or solicit advertising, including graphic art, advertising space in publications, custom made signs, or TV and radio advertising time. May obtain leases for outdoor advertising sites or persuade retailer to use sales promotion display items.
Demonstrators and Product Promoters - Demonstrate merchandise and answer questions for the purpose of creating public interest in buying the product. May sell demonstrated merchandise.
Notes
You must be logged in to take notes, click here to login.
Job Openings
Click here for job openings in California.