what is the difference between a casting call , an open call , and an audition ???????????????????????????????

Question

I want to go to one but I need to know whitch one is whitch.

Answer 1

All are forms of auditions.

An audition is simply the generic term that applies whenever a performer must in some way demonstrate their talents in order to receive a performing job. A singer will sing, a dancer dance, a broadway actor do a monologue, a film actor read a short portion of a script on camera.

The difference is how you go about getting the audition, and the circumstances you find when you get there.

An open call indicates that anyone is welcome to show up if they fit the paramaters specified in the ad or casting notice. This means there is absolutely no pre-screening done. Nobody coming to an open call has had their headshot and resume looked at beforehand, or has gotten a call from their talent agent with a specific appointment. An notice for an open call will read like: "xyz casting is holding an open call for tall men for their upcoming production of 'taller men wear top hats.' All ethnicities, ages 18-30. Must sing, dance and be over 6'0". Auditions will be held at 76 w. answers street, studio x, 10am-2pm 2/22." So if you fit this and you're interested, you show up at that time. Now here's the thing: at an open call, it is anyone's guess how busy it will be, and if this 'top hats' thing pays well and lots of people want to try out, you'd better be in line for that hours before 10 and even then you might not get a chance to "audition." Since anyone can show up, the people running this kind of audition will send you home if you don't look right, or if they are full, or if they've run out of time or whatever. If you are lucky enough to "get in" you might find yourself waiting around for hours, maybe all day. To top it all off... Open Calls are sometimes bogus. Many of them work on the same principle as velvet rope clubs that make lines form outside even when they're not busy; sometimes an open call exits just to generate "buzz" about a project, and the hopefuls that have camped out for days to get a "chance" just get 20 seconds of face time with some lowly assistant and nobody with any ability to hire you will ever watch that tape.

The industry calls this a "cattle call." I avoid them, although I have been through them in the past, when I was first starting out (and no, I have never been called in for anything off of any kind of open call.) This is also apparently how most of the hit reality shows are cast.

An audition, ideally, happens in a much less time consuming and draning fashion. Generally you will somehow have be pre-screened by the casting directors (the people in charge of who gets an audition appointment) and been chosen to be seen at a specific time. You may have sent in your picture yourself, or submitted yourself online through an online casting service, or if you have progressed to this point you may have an agent who submitted your picture and resume and got you the appointment. Then you get materials to prepare beforehand (like a scene from the script of a movie, or are told to prepare a certain kind of song, etc.) and you simply show up at your given time and place. The audition then will happen; you may meet with a casting director in their office, or go into a small room with cameras, or you may go onto a stage in a theatre and do your materials. A limited # of people are seen at auditions (more if it is an audition for a commercial) and so the field is already narrower.

The term "casting call" seems to sort of interchange with "open call" (probably because actors hate open calls, and "casting call" sounds better and implies you might get cast.) just read through the ad carefully, and you will be able to tell what it is (if you are asked to submit your headshot, it is a call for pictures and you will get an "audition" out of it if called; if you are told to show up at such and such time, then it's an open or "cattle" call.)

clear as mud, right? There really is no standard for anything in acting but I hope this cancels out some of the confusion!

Answer 2

Difference Between Casting And Audition

Answer 3

Generally speaking, a casting call is called to look for talent. They
are generally gender specific.

An open call is for all actors male and female.

An audition is when they stick you in front of a camera with another
actor to see you reactions, which is what acting is all about.

Hope this helps.