EcoCast by Casting Networks

EcoCast is the self-tape submission tool built into Casting Networks, one of the major casting platforms used across the entertainment industry. It allows actors to record, upload, and submit audition tapes directly to casting directors without leaving the Casting Networks interface. The tool was developed in response to the massive shift toward self-tape auditions that accelerated during the pandemic era.

The submission process is straightforward: actors receive a breakdown through Casting Networks, record their self-tape using any device, and upload it through EcoCast with their profile attached. The system handles file compression and formatting automatically so that casting directors receive consistent, playable files. This removes the technical friction that can come with emailing large video files.

Because EcoCast is integrated directly into Casting Networks, submissions arrive in the same interface casting directors use to manage their projects, giving EcoCast submissions a professional edge over emailed video files that can be lost in cluttered inboxes or blocked by file size limitations. Getting started requires an active Casting Networks profile, after which actors can access EcoCast from any audition breakdown page. The tool supports multiple takes, allows actors to review their recordings before submitting, and lets them attach slate videos and additional materials as required by the casting notice, with previous submissions stored for easy reference.

EcoCast uses adaptive compression technology that maintains visual clarity while keeping file sizes manageable for casting offices reviewing hundreds of submissions, automatically adjusting resolution and bitrate based on the source material so that actors who record in 4K and those who record in 1080p both deliver watchable results. The tool is free to use for any actor with an active Casting Networks profile and is especially prevalent in the Los Angeles market, though its reach continues to expand nationally and internationally. This technical handling removes one of the most common points of failure in the self-tape submission process and ensures reliable delivery regardless of the actor's equipment.

The primary users of EcoCast are actors actively submitting through Casting Networks for film, television, and commercial projects, with casting directors in Los Angeles having largely adopted the platform as their preferred method of receiving self-tapes. Many casting directors have noted that EcoCast submissions are easier to review than emailed videos because they arrive in a standardized format within their existing workflow, and some offices specifically request EcoCast submissions over other methods. EcoCast has become particularly important for actors represented by agents and managers who submit on their behalf, as representatives can attach client self-tapes to their electronic submissions, creating a seamless workflow that has made EcoCast the de facto standard for agent-submitted self-tapes in many markets.

EcoCast itself is completely free to use and there are no additional charges for uploading or submitting self-tapes through the platform — the only cost is the Casting Networks subscription required to maintain an active profile, which varies by market but typically ranges from $10 to $25 per month. When compared to alternative submission methods like WeTransfer or email attachments, EcoCast offers significant advantages in terms of reliability and professionalism at no additional cost, eliminating file size concerns, delivery failures, and formatting inconsistencies. For actors already paying for a Casting Networks subscription, EcoCast adds substantial value to their existing investment and is effectively one of the most cost-effective self-tape submission methods available.

EcoCast is essential for any actor with an active Casting Networks profile who submits self-tapes for projects in the Los Angeles market, as it is the path of least resistance for getting your audition in front of casting directors in a format they prefer to receive, and there is no reason not to use it when submitting through Casting Networks. Actors who work exclusively through Actors Access or Backstage will find limited use for EcoCast, and those who receive audition requests directly from their representatives via email may not need the platform if their team has established alternative submission workflows.

Always upload the highest quality file your recording setup produces — EcoCast will handle the compression — and name your files clearly before uploading, double-checking that the correct take is attached before hitting submit. Keep your Casting Networks profile fully updated with current headshots and resume before submitting through EcoCast, as casting directors will view your profile alongside your self-tape, and take advantage of the multiple-take upload feature to include your best two takes when the casting notice does not specify a single take, giving casting directors options without overwhelming them. Review your submission in the platform's preview player to ensure the file plays correctly before the casting director sees it.