Project Casting

Project Casting is a free online casting call aggregation site that has become one of the most popular resources for actors seeking open casting calls for major film, television, and commercial productions across the United States. The site launched as a blog-style casting call listing service and grew into a widely followed resource that publishes new casting calls daily, often for high-profile studio and network productions. Project Casting is particularly well-known in the Atlanta market, where it has become a primary resource for the booming Georgia film industry, but it also covers Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, and other major production hubs. Unlike platforms where casting directors post directly, Project Casting aggregates and republishes casting information from various sources, making it a centralized discovery tool. The site has built a significant following on social media, where casting calls are shared rapidly and reach actors who may not be checking traditional casting platforms.

What distinguishes Project Casting from professional casting platforms like Actors Access is its accessibility and its focus on open casting calls — opportunities where anyone can submit or attend, regardless of representation or union status. The site is particularly valuable for background and featured extra work, where productions often need large numbers of people quickly and casting through traditional agent channels alone is insufficient. Project Casting also posts open calls for speaking roles, particularly for productions that are conducting wide talent searches or seeking specific types. The site supplements its casting listings with industry news, behind-the-scenes features, set life articles, and career advice that give aspiring actors a window into how the entertainment industry actually works. For actors who are just discovering the industry or who are based in markets where they lack representation, Project Casting serves as an accessible entry point to real production opportunities that might otherwise be invisible to them.

Using Project Casting does not require creating an account or building a profile — you simply visit the website, browse the available casting calls, and follow the submission instructions provided in each listing. This makes it one of the most frictionless casting resources available. Listings typically include the production name (sometimes coded for confidentiality), project type, shooting location, dates, role descriptions, and detailed instructions for how to submit — which usually involves emailing photos, measurements, and availability to a casting email address. The site is organized by location and project type, and you can use the search function to find opportunities in your specific market. Project Casting also maintains an active email newsletter that delivers new casting calls directly to your inbox, and their social media accounts post breaking casting calls that can reach you before they appear on the website. The straightforward, blog-style format means there is no learning curve — if you can read a web page and send an email, you can use Project Casting.

The daily experience of using Project Casting involves checking the site and social media channels for new postings, evaluating which opportunities match your type and availability, and submitting via the instructions provided in each listing. New casting calls are published throughout the day, with particularly high volume during active production seasons. The site often posts opportunities for major productions that are household names — big-budget films, popular television series, and national commercial campaigns — which gives actors the thrill of potentially working on recognizable projects even at the background or featured extra level. The editorial content provides useful context about which markets are hot, which productions are currently filming, and what the general landscape of the industry looks like. Project Casting's social media reach means that time-sensitive open calls can spread quickly, so following their accounts is a practical way to stay informed. The commenting community on the site and social media can also be useful for gathering intelligence about specific productions, casting experiences, and market conditions from fellow actors.

Project Casting is used by actors at all levels, but it is most popular with non-union actors, beginners, and those without representation who are seeking their first set experiences or looking to book background and featured extra work. The site has a particularly large and active user base in Atlanta and the greater Southeast, reflecting the growth of Georgia's film industry and the constant demand for background talent in that market. Los Angeles, New York, and New Orleans-based actors also use the site regularly. The audience is diverse and includes people ranging from serious aspiring actors building their careers to locals who simply want the experience of being on a film set. Background casting directors and extras casting agencies are among the primary posters on the site, though principal casting calls do appear as well. For actors who are building their initial credits and learning how a professional set operates, Project Casting provides a practical pathway to getting on set.

Project Casting is completely free to browse and use. There are no subscription fees, account creation costs, or per-submission charges. The site generates revenue through advertising and sponsored content rather than charging actors, which means your access to casting information is never gated behind a paywall. This zero-cost model makes Project Casting one of the most accessible casting resources available, particularly for actors who cannot yet justify the expense of paid platform subscriptions. The free model does mean the site carries advertising that can occasionally be intrusive, but this is a small price to pay for free access to legitimate casting information. Some castings posted on Project Casting may reference productions that pay background rates (typically $100-$200+ per day for non-union work, and SAG-AFTRA rates for union productions), so the site can actually lead to paid work without requiring any upfront investment from the actor.

Project Casting is an essential bookmark for any actor based in or near a major production hub, particularly Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, or New Orleans. It is most valuable for actors seeking background and extra work, those building their first credits, and anyone who wants to get on a professional film or television set. If you are an experienced actor with representation who primarily submits through agents, Project Casting will have limited additional value for you. For non-union actors without representation, this site is one of the best free resources available for discovering legitimate production opportunities. Pair Project Casting with your primary casting platform (Actors Access, Backstage) for a comprehensive approach that covers both self-submission and open call opportunities. Always verify casting calls independently before providing personal information or traveling to an open call — legitimate castings will never ask for upfront payment from actors.

Follow Project Casting on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) in addition to checking the website, as time-sensitive casting calls often appear on social channels first and can fill within hours. When responding to background casting calls, include exactly what is requested — typically a current full-body photo, headshot, age, height, weight, clothing sizes, and your availability for the shooting dates — and nothing more, as casting directors reviewing hundreds of emails appreciate concise, complete submissions. If you are in Atlanta, check Project Casting daily during peak production months (typically spring through fall), as the volume of opportunities in the Georgia market is exceptionally high. Create a dedicated email template with your standard information and photos that you can quickly customize and send for each submission, reducing response time. Always research the production and casting company before responding to verify legitimacy — a quick search for the casting director or company name should yield verifiable results for legitimate productions. Build relationships with background casting agencies that post frequently on Project Casting, as repeat bookings with the same agency can lead to featured extra and upgrade opportunities over time.