A casting (or "go-see") is a short in-person audition — usually three to five minutes — where a client, casting director or booker decides whether you fit a specific job or belong on their roster. They decide fast, from your book and a quick personal impression, so the whole game is simple: be exactly what your card says you are, show up looking like a clean canvas, arrive on time and stay calm. This is the full preparation playbook — what to do beforehand, what to wear, what to bring, how to behave, what directors actually evaluate, and how online self-tapes differ.
What a casting is — and who's in the room
"Casting" covers a few formats: an open call (anyone can come — the classic cattle-call), a go-see (your agency sends you to a specific client), a direct booking or option for a named job, and increasingly an online self-tape. In the room there's usually a casting director and the client or brand, sometimes the photographer; your agency booker sets it up. Their job is to match faces and bodies to a brief — so a "no" is rarely personal, it's fit.
Two or three days before
- Make sure your book is current and your comp card and digitals are recent (a few months old at most, or after any big change in your look).
- Know your real measurements by heart — height, bust/chest, waist, hips, shoe size.
- Confirm the time, address and what to bring, and plan the route so you arrive early.
- Keep skin, hair and nails clean and simple; sleep and hydration genuinely show on camera.
What to wear — the "clean canvas" principle
Fitted, plain, solid colours; minimal makeup; clean hair worn down; for women, heels in your bag; for men, clean fitted basics. The reason is simple: the client needs to see you and mentally fit you to their concept — not your outfit or your styling. Busy clothes, heavy makeup and statement pieces hide the actual product, which is you. Skinny jeans or leggings and a plain fitted top are a safe default for almost any casting.
What to bring — the checklist
- Your book/portfolio;
- Comp card and digitals;
- ID and your agency's contact details;
- Heels (women);
- Water, a pen, and a charged phone.
If you're under 18, bring a parent — always.
How to behave in the room
Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Give a short, confident greeting with eye contact, and know your numbers cold. Walk if you're asked — simply and naturally, no performance. Don't apologise for your looks or over-explain; don't scroll your phone while you wait. Say thank you and leave. Brevity and calm read as professional, and casting directors see hundreds of people — being easy is memorable.
What a casting director actually evaluates
It isn't only the face. They weigh fit to the brief, honest measurements, how the camera "sits" on you, reliability and an easy attitude, and your energy in the room. An on-time, honest, pleasant model who's a "7" for the job very often books over a difficult "9" — because a shoot is a paid workday with a deadline, and clients hire people they can rely on. That is the part beginners underestimate most.
Online castings and self-tapes
A growing share of first rounds happen by video. Use soft window light, a plain neutral background, and framing that matches the brief (full-length or waist-up as asked). State your name, height and city to camera, then show a slow turn and both profiles. Keep it short, and name the file the way they ask (usually Name_Height_City). Treat it exactly like an in-person casting — clean canvas, honest, calm.
Common mistakes
- Turning up late.
- Heavy makeup, or heels you can't take off when asked to show bare feet or flats.
- Inflated measurements — you'll be taped, and the gap shows immediately.
- Negativity, excuses or nervous over-talking.
- A social feed full of selfies and no real work.
After the casting
Don't call every day. Silence isn't rejection — clients take time, hold options, and often decide weeks later. Keep going to castings, keep your book fresh, and track where you went and for whom. Volume plus consistency is how bookings come. And if any "casting" ever asks you to pay to attend or to buy a "mandatory" portfolio, walk away — see the red flags of modeling scams.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a casting last?
Usually three to five minutes — sometimes just long enough to check your book and measurements and see you walk.
What should I wear to a casting?
Fitted, plain clothes, minimal makeup and clean hair; women should bring heels. The goal is to be a clean canvas the client can imagine in their concept.
Do I need a portfolio for my first casting?
Bring what you have — clean digitals or snaps at minimum. A full book helps, but honest digitals and real measurements matter more at the very start.
What should I bring?
Your book, comp card, digitals, ID, heels (women) and water. If you're under 18, bring a parent.
Can you go to castings without experience?
Yes — open calls exist for exactly that. Preparation and the right look for the brief matter far more than a résumé.
What should a man wear to a casting?
Clean, fitted basics — a plain tee and slim jeans — with good grooming and minimal fuss. The same clean-canvas rule applies.