The subject of the “casting appointment process” is not about putting you under pressure or testing your boundaries. A reputable appointment is intended to clarify open questions, get to know how you come across on camera and determine whether working together is generally a good fit. Sexual acts are expressly not part of a casting.
The casting takes place exclusively in a studio or a location booked for this purpose, never in a private home. At least three people are present throughout the entire appointment, and you may bring a companion without prior notice. Applying, the interview, casting, placement and contract review are free of charge for you.
Initial Interview and Casting Are Two Different Appointments
An initial interview usually takes place before a casting. This can be held by phone or video and serves as an initial orientation: You can explain your motivation, ask questions and learn how applications, placement and possible productions are organized. The article on the initial interview with the agency explains in more detail which topics are useful to discuss.
The initial interview is not yet a camera test and does not require you to travel to a studio. It is intended to allow you to get to know the process before deciding on a personal appointment. Even after a positive interview, you are not obliged to accept a casting.
The casting itself is then about your personal impression, coordinating your boundaries and, where applicable, objective test recordings. These recordings are made only with your express consent. Attending a casting does not mean blanket consent to recordings or a commitment to a later shoot.
Appointment Confirmation and Preparation
Before travelling, the time, studio or booked location and the responsible contact person should be clearly established. It should also be clear how long the appointment is expected to last and whether test recordings are planned. If important information is missing, you can contact us in advance by email and ask.
For the appointment, you need a valid identity card or passport. A driving licence is not sufficient as proof of age and identity. Without a valid document, neither the casting nor a later shoot can take place.
You may bring a companion without registering them in advance. This option applies regardless of whether you already have camera experience or are visiting a studio for the first time. A reputable organization will not try to prevent you from bringing someone or move the appointment to a private home at short notice.
Special outfits or elaborate preparations are useful only if they have been specifically discussed in advance and you have agreed to them. Do not bring anything that makes you uncomfortable. Additional information on general preparation can be found under application photos for your application, although a casting should not be equated with a complete photo shoot.
Arrival, Welcome and ID Check
After your arrival, you should first be told who is present and what duties each person has. At least three people are present at every casting. Your companion may also stay with you and does not have to wait outside the studio.
Your identity document is then checked. The check serves to establish your identity and that you are of legal age. Identity cards or passports are accepted, whereas a driving licence is not sufficient.
The premises should correspond to the announced purpose. A casting is conducted only in a studio or a booked location. You also have access to a private shower and a retreat room so that you can change, compose yourself or withdraw temporarily.
At the beginning, the planned casting appointment process should be explained clearly once again. This includes the order of the interviews, possible recordings and the expected end time. Changes must not simply be assumed; they must be discussed with you.
Discussion of Goals, Experience and Boundaries
The personal interview initially focuses on the type of work you are seeking. This may include distinguishing between photo productions, video productions, event accompaniment without sexual acts and other suitable formats. Questions about availability, travel, visibility and your desired level of anonymity can also be discussed.
A central element is the yes-no-maybe list containing 87 types of content from the detailed application form. Your information is not treated as non-binding preferences but becomes part of the contract later on. Anything you have excluded may not be requested during the casting or a production, not even in exchange for an additional payment.
For items you marked “Maybe,” a further, specific discussion is required. “Maybe” is not advance consent. You can make your decision calmly and do not have to justify it during the appointment.
You may also clarify whether you want to work with a mask or have your face visible. There are three visibility levels for set cards; additional images can be blurred and contact details can remain blocked until activation. The guide on working anonymously provides information on maintaining a discreet public profile.
Test Recordings Only with Express Consent
Test recordings may be used to assess your posture, facial expressions, movements or how you come across on camera. However, they are not a mandatory part of every casting. Before any recording, it must be clearly explained what will be recorded and how the material is intended to be used.
Your consent must be voluntary. You can refuse individual recordings, set conditions or stop a sequence that has already begun. Taking part in the interview does not imply automatic consent to photos or videos.
No sexual acts take place during the casting. Requests to allegedly bypass this rule for an aptitude test are incompatible with the process described here. The appointment remains an introduction with possible, previously agreed camera testing.
If a situation becomes uncomfortable, you can request a break at any time, involve your companion or end the casting. Consent cannot be replaced by several people exerting pressure or referring to an allegedly necessary industry practice. The article recognizing dubious offers also contains information on identifying problematic situations.
Recorded data will not be passed on in individual cases without your consent and will not be forwarded to other agencies. If you want your stored data deleted, an informal email is sufficient; deletion will take place within seven days. Communication takes place by email, not by post.
Ending the Appointment and Further Steps
At the end, there should be a summary of which points were discussed and which recordings were made. You can ask open questions and have the next steps after the casting explained to you. An immediate decision or contract signature does not have to take place under time pressure.
If a production is later considered, the assignment, boundaries, fee, usage rights and organizational conditions will be agreed in advance. The yes-no-maybe list remains part of the contract. The page on the placement process provides a general overview from the initial inquiry to completion.
For photo productions, fees range from 250 to 600 euros per shooting day; for video productions, from 400 to 1.200 euros per shooting day. Event accompaniment without sexual acts is paid at 200 to 500 euros per day. These ranges are not a guarantee of income and say nothing about whether or how often a booking will be made.
If a booking is made, performers do not pay a placement commission and nothing is deducted from the fee. The production covers the agreed placement commission as well as travel expenses and meals. The fee is paid within 14 days by bank transfer with a statement, not in cash.
No fixed deadline is specified for feedback after a casting. You should therefore clarify at the end of the appointment when you can expect a message. Applications, on the other hand, receive a response within 48 hours, even if the response is a rejection.
How to Recognize a Safe Casting Appointment
A reputable appointment remains transparent and respects every decision. You know where you are going in advance, can bring a companion and will not be pressured into recordings or spontaneous changes. No one charges a fee for applying, the interview, casting, placement or contract review.
- Location: Studio or booked location, never a private home.
- Presence: At least three people are present at the casting.
- Companion: A companion is permitted without prior notice.
- Identification: A valid identity card or passport is required.
- Recordings: Test recordings are made only with your consent.
- Acts: No sexual acts take place during the casting.
- Boundaries: Your yes-no-maybe list is bindingly taken into account.
- Costs: The entire application and casting process is free of charge for you.
You can cancel the appointment at any time if you feel uncertain or agreements are not being honored. Your consent applies only to what was specifically discussed and may be withdrawn at any time. Safety, transparent procedures and voluntary decisions take priority over filling a role quickly.
Note: This text provides general information and does not replace legal advice.
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