Additional Information
Though a degree isn't essential, it's certainly recommended.
According to casting director Michael Shortt, most casting directors have
a degree. "If you're going to interact with production companies, directors,
advertising agencies and clients, and do so intelligently, you should have
some background."
Shortt has degrees in journalism and theater. However, anyone interested
in being a casting director could also consider a degree in live action or
directing. The California Institute for the Arts offers just such a degree.
While formal training is important, practical experience, a real interest
in people and good business sense are even more important.
"Realistically, no education is required but certain skills are important.
Organization is the most important of them all," says casting director Brian
Hughes.
"You also need to be a 'people person' because your job is dealing with
people all day -- and many of the same people all the time, so you need to
be overly nice at all times."
"You definitely need an artistic side," says casting director Dan Cowan.
"Really, what you do is quite artistic. You are making an artistic choice
for whatever the role is. It is an art form -- just as the end product is."
An ability to deal well with people is also very important, he says. "Unless
you're fun and easy to deal with, they're not going to want to deal with you
and you're not going to be working," he explains.
To become a casting director, you have to work your way up and learn everything
about the business.
"You don't start out as a casting director," says Shortt. "Everybody usually
starts out as a production assistant first. It's important that you know your
way around the set. You can get into casting through any number of disciplines,
but most begin by becoming an assistant to a casting director."