Actors Access

Actors Access is the actor-facing portal of Breakdown Services, the cornerstone infrastructure of the American casting industry founded by Gary Marsh in 1971. For decades, Breakdown Services was the exclusive conduit through which casting directors distributed role breakdowns to talent agents and managers — actors themselves had no direct access to these opportunities. Actors Access changed that dynamic when it launched in the early 2000s, giving performers the ability to view breakdowns and submit themselves electronically for the first time. The platform quickly became the gold standard for self-submissions in the United States, trusted by casting directors because submissions land in the same system their agent submissions flow through. Today, Actors Access handles millions of submissions annually across film, television, theatre, and new media, and it remains the single most respected casting platform in the American entertainment industry.

What sets Actors Access apart from every other casting platform is its direct integration with the Breakdown Services ecosystem — when you submit through Actors Access, your headshot and materials arrive in the exact same inbox where casting directors review submissions from CAA, WME, and every other major agency. This gives unrepresented actors a level of access that was unthinkable before the platform existed. Actors Access is not a job board or aggregator; it is the primary digital infrastructure that the casting industry itself relies on daily. The platform serves actors at every level, from those just starting out to seasoned professionals who use it alongside their agent's submissions. For any actor serious about working in the U.S. market, an Actors Access profile is not optional — it is foundational to a professional acting career.

Getting started on Actors Access is straightforward. You create a free account at actorsaccess.com, fill out your profile with your physical stats, training, credits, and special skills, then upload your headshots. The platform allows you to upload your first two headshots for free, with additional photos costing $10 each. Once your profile is live, you can browse available breakdowns filtered by location, project type, union status, and role type. To submit yourself for a role, you select the breakdown, choose which headshot to attach, and submit electronically — casting directors receive your materials instantly. There are no approval gates or auditions to join; any actor can create a profile and begin browsing immediately.

The day-to-day experience of using Actors Access revolves around checking new breakdowns, submitting for appropriate roles, and managing your profile. The platform's Eco Cast system allows you to upload and submit self-tape auditions directly through the site, which has become increasingly important as self-tapes have become the industry norm. You can attach video reels, voice demos, and other media to your profile for casting directors to review. The mobile app allows you to check breakdowns and submit on the go, which is critical since popular roles can receive hundreds of submissions within hours of posting. Actors Access also sends email notifications when new breakdowns match your profile criteria, and the search filters are robust enough to help you find roles that genuinely fit your type and experience level. Advanced users learn to check breakdowns multiple times per day and submit within the first few hours for maximum visibility.

Actors Access is used by the full spectrum of actors working in the U.S. entertainment industry, from brand-new performers building their first credits to SAG-AFTRA veterans supplementing their agent's submissions. It is particularly essential for actors in Los Angeles and New York, where the vast majority of breakdowns are posted, but it also covers regional markets including Atlanta, Chicago, and other production hubs. Both union and non-union actors use the platform, though many breakdowns specify SAG-AFTRA projects only. The platform is equally valuable for actors with and without representation — those with agents often use it to self-submit for projects their agent may not have targeted, while unrepresented actors rely on it as their primary submission tool. Casting directors across the industry regard Actors Access submissions as legitimate and professional, which is not something that can be said for every casting website.

Actors Access operates on a freemium model with transparent pricing. Creating an account and browsing breakdowns is completely free. Your first two headshot uploads are free, and additional headshots cost $10 each. For submissions, you have two options: pay-as-you-go at $2 per submission, or subscribe to Actors Access Plus for $68 per year (or $9.99 per month), which includes unlimited submissions, unlimited media uploads, and access to Eco Cast self-tape features. SAG-AFTRA members receive a 20% discount on the annual Plus membership, bringing it down to approximately $54. Video uploads for your profile cost $22 per minute or fraction thereof. Compared to platforms like Backstage ($25/month) or Casting Networks ($29.99/month), Actors Access Plus is significantly more affordable, and the pay-as-you-go option means you can start submitting for just $2 with no ongoing commitment.

Every serious actor pursuing film, television, or theatre work in the United States should have an Actors Access profile — it is the closest thing to a non-negotiable tool in the industry. If you are just starting out and watching your budget, the free tier with $2 per-submission pricing is a perfectly viable way to begin. Once you find yourself submitting regularly, the $68/year Plus membership becomes an obvious investment that pays for itself after just 34 submissions. Actors in Los Angeles and New York will get the most value, but actors in Atlanta, Chicago, and other growing markets should also maintain active profiles. If you are based outside the U.S. or primarily work in the UK market, Spotlight is your equivalent platform. If you are looking for more indie and student film opportunities, supplement Actors Access with Backstage.

Check breakdowns first thing every morning and again in the early afternoon — the most competitive roles receive hundreds of submissions within hours, so early submissions are more likely to be seen near the top of the pile. Invest in at least three to four distinct headshot looks (commercial, theatrical, character) so you can match the tone of each breakdown. Use the Eco Cast self-tape feature whenever it is available, as casting directors increasingly prefer receiving self-tapes through the integrated system rather than external links. Keep your profile credits and special skills updated regularly, because casting directors do search the talent database directly. Set up email notifications for breakdown types that match your casting, but do not rely solely on alerts — manually browse daily to catch opportunities the algorithm might miss. If you have representation, coordinate with your agent to avoid duplicate submissions, as casting directors notice when the same actor appears twice for the same role.