Casting Calls
 So you've found a Casting Call, Great! Casting Calls, or shall i say "cattle calls" are basically an open audition that the production team assembles to find potential talent to be extras or have small parts in a film.
A general rule of thumb, be there 7 hours before the actual start time. Just kidding, I would say at least 45 minutes early if not more. If it's a major motion picture, expect the line to wrap around the building TWICE, no joke!
Where Do I Find Casting Calls?
Yes, this can be tricky. Everyone that I've met always had trouble finding casting calls. There are many sites out there that offer casting calls. Some free, some you have to pay for, either way you need to be on top of finding casting calls, even if you have an agent.
Newspapers and magazines usually post auditions or casting calls if they are in your neighborhood so don't forget to look there as well.
So you finally get in the building after 3 hours of waiting in 2 mile line, have your headshots and resume ready in hand. They will probably just seat you at first to fill out some information and then take you in to the casting directors area. This is your shot, don't blow it. The casting director will know if they like you in the first few seconds they talk to you, this is where your personality has to shine, but don't overdo it.
Remember, casting calls are usually looking for extras and relatively minor acting roles so don't expect to be acting beside Brad Pitt unless you get REALLLLY lucky. If you make a good impression, they might not give you callback for that particular film but for the next one they do. This has happened to me numerous times without me even going to the next casting call.
Wanna be a Reality TV Star?
A few links to guide you in the right direction.
MTV Reality TV Casting Calls - Real World Casting, True Life, and so on.
E! Casting Calls - Clean House, How Do I Look?, Fashion Police, and more.
NBC Casting Calls - Deal or No Deal, The Biggest Loser, and more.
ABC Casting Calls - Wife Swap, Super Nanny, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and more.
Fox Shows Casting - American Idol, Show Me the Money, Trading Spouses, and more.
Call Backs
After that's all said and done it's time for them to call people back (hence the name callbacks) and attend an audition. This time around, if you made it this far, you'll see only a few people compared to the herd you saw the week before. Now you may have some serious competition because most of the people have agents and were invited to this gathering where as you made it through by waiting in line for hours. But it's alright, you may have just as good a chance in getting that role than these other actors because you might be just what they are looking for.
Be ready for a quick audition usually, they will give you sides to read about 10-15 minutes before they call you up. Relax, and focus on how you are going to perform the sides. When you are called, walk in with confidence and just keep it simple. Say hello to them, and thats it. Don't start talking about anything or babbling away because they'll get tired of you quick. Do as they ask and your probably going to have to state your name in front of camera and begin acting out your sides.
Get into your characters thoughts and feel it when you are acting the part out. The casting directors will see right through you so just give it your all and let your talent come out, don't let your mind be in control. Acting is something you should have a passion for and it will show through your actions.
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