I always wondered how certain actors just somehow *poof* appeared on world stage, without really being in anything smaller before (for example John Krasinski with The Office). How do they get a leading role in a big production? Are there auditions for big movies where pretty much anybody could apply or does everything go via agents/managers and then it‘s just luck?
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It really works just like getting a normal job, except most actors are represented by an agent and, generally, all major actor jobs are locked to union workers.
An open casting call is generally how you get a nobody who explodes out of nowhere. In an open casting call, a production agency announces that they are looking for an actor for a roll.
The casting call includes information like sex, age, race, physical features, and any special skills needed (for example, horseback riding or speaking in a British accent). This is the same thing as a job description in a normal job.
Agents who represent actors will submit their packets, which includes pictures and work history. Think of this like submitting resumes.
The casting team will pick the people they think are most promising and have the actor come in for an audition. Auditions are basically interviews for actors. For big roles, there will probably be many rounds of audition so the actor can be tested in many ways.
In the end, the production team will make an offer to the actor’s agent, who will negotiate for the actor as needed.
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