Trainee casting assistant

Closing date: Sunday 5th May at 11.59pm

Salary/bursary: Equivalent to London Living Wage

Duration: 12 weeks

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: London (Zones 1-2)

Start date: June 2024

This is a great opportunity to gain experience with three casting directors throughout the casting process for theatre, TV, film and commercial productions.

The Casting Director’s Guild internship works as a collaboration between independent casting offices who are all members of the CDG.

Drawing on years of artistic taste, imagination, knowledge, research and political expertise, established Casting Directors collaborate with Directors, Producers, Writers etc. to achieve the casting vision for the production.

It is a role that requires an understanding of psychology, artistic taste and style, interpretative taste, current and historical social politics; the ability to form collaborative relationships; and also, of course, knowing the different levels and styles of national and international actors and acting.

As an intern, you will spend 4 weeks working full-time in each of three separate offices (for a total of 12 weeks). These could be in different areas of casting such as theatre, TV, film and commercials. While host offices are subject to change, the three offices currently lined up for the internship cover TV (scripted), film and theatre.

While it is at heart an artistic and creative profession, you should understand that the role itself is almost completely office-based and, particularly at the junior levels, very admin-heavy. Before applying for an internship it is worth reading through the information on CDG's website about how careers in casting work, to decide whether it could appeal to you in the long term: http://www.thecdg.co.uk/becoming-a-casting-director/
 

What you will be doing

Through a series of primary learning objectives, the internship aims to arm you with a basic understanding of the casting process, as well as general office skills and knowledge of specific casting assistant duties such as:

• Handling calls and emails
• Office administration
• Script reading skills
• Checking actor availabilities
• Setting up auditions
• Editing audition videos
• Using Spotlight
• Creating character breakdowns from scripts

As each office has its own house style as well as areas of expertise, you will have the same primary learning objectives in each office. This will also stand you in good stead if you choose to pursue a career in casting, as junior assistant jobs are often short-term, and you will need to be ready to adapt to different ways of working.
 

What we're looking for

• Keen interest and passion for theatre/TV/film, and burgeoning knowledge of actors both in the UK and internationally
• A strong interest in pursuing a career in a behind-the-scenes role
• Very strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills
• Personable, polite and professional (a sense of humour also helps!)
• Ability to multi-task and remain calm under pressure
• Confident using computers (ideally both Mac and PC), and in learning new processes
• A can-do attitude, and enjoyment of working in a team
   

To apply 

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity 
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted) 
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully 
• Do not contact the company directly 
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk 
   

This opportunity is only open to individuals from a group that is under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people, trans or nonbinary people, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.