13 Best Casting Agencies in San Diego
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A casting agency works for production companies to find the right talent for specific roles in movies, films, commercials, documentaries, and theatrical projects. They browse through their database of actors to find the perfect fit for a character.
There are a handful of casting agencies in San Diego that have a great reputation for choosing the perfect candidates for commercial industrial print and electrical projects for top advertising film and movie companies.
They can also help in casting professional artists, actors, dancers, musicians, and models for product launches, commercial events, corporate events, and fashion shows.
In this article, we have curated a list of the top casting agencies in San Diego, where you can choose the right agency to cast professional artist actors and models for your commercial or industrial project in the fashion and entertainment industry.
A casting agency specializes in finding and selecting actors, models, and talent for various media productions, such as films, television shows, commercials, and photo shoots. They work with production companies, directors, and advertising agencies to provide the right talent for specific roles and projects, ensuring a seamless casting process.
A casting agency provides a range of services to match talent with the right roles in various media productions. Here are the key activities they undertake:
- Talent Sourcing:
- Identify and recruit actors, models, and other talent through auditions, open calls, and scouting.
- Casting Calls and Auditions:
- Organize and manage casting calls and auditions, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for both talent and clients.
- Talent Database Management:
- Maintain a comprehensive database of talent, including detailed profiles, headshots, and demo reels.
- Role Matching:
- Match talent with suitable roles based on the requirements of the production, such as age, look, skills, and experience.
- Contract Negotiation:
- Negotiate contracts and fees between the talent and the production companies, ensuring fair terms for both parties.
- Coordination and Scheduling:
- Coordinate schedules between talent and production teams to ensure availability and smooth collaboration.
- Client Consultation:
- Work closely with production companies, directors, and advertising agencies to understand their needs and provide tailored casting solutions.
- Talent Development:
- Provide guidance and coaching to talent to enhance their skills and marketability.
- Marketing and Promotion:
- Promote talent to potential clients through various channels, including online platforms and industry events.
By offering these services, a casting agency helps streamline the casting process, ensuring that the right talent is selected efficiently and effectively for each project.
Casting agencies play a crucial role in the entertainment industry, helping actors, musicians, models, and other performers find work. They help secure auditions, negotiate contracts, and manage careers. But how much do they charge for their services? Let’s break it down.
Commission-Based Fees
Casting agencies typically charge a commission on the work they secure for their clients. This commission usually ranges from 10% to 20% of the client’s earnings. For example, if an actor lands a role that pays $10,000, and their casting agent charges a 15% commission, the agent would earn $1,500. Importantly, casting agents can't charge upfront fees, so they only get paid when they find work for their clients. This ensures they’re motivated to secure gigs.
Additional Costs
Some casting agencies might charge a small marketing fee to cover the cost of creating and distributing promotional materials for their clients, like headshots and demo reels. This is usually a one-time charge and is significantly lower than the commission. Always check the terms and conditions of these fees to ensure they provide good value.
Factors That Influence Costs
Several factors can influence how much a casting agency charges:
- Scope of Services: The more services an agency offers, like talent scouting and contract negotiation, the higher the cost might be.
- Talent Level: High-profile or specialized talent might command higher commissions.
- Project Budget: Bigger projects with larger budgets often result in higher commissions due to increased complexity and workload.
Hiring a casting agency can be a game-changer for anyone in the entertainment industry. Here’s why partnering with a casting agency is a smart move:
Expertise and Network: Casting agencies have extensive networks and industry connections. They know the right people and have access to opportunities that might not be available to the general public. This means you’ll have a better chance of landing auditions and roles that fit your talent and career goals.
Time-Saving: The process of finding auditions, submitting applications, and managing schedules can be incredibly time-consuming. A casting agency handles all of this for you, freeing up your time to focus on honing your craft. They do the legwork, so you don’t have to.
Professional Guidance: Casting agents offer valuable advice and guidance. They can help you improve your resume, provide feedback on your performances, and suggest ways to enhance your marketability. Their insights are based on industry standards and trends, ensuring you’re always a step ahead.
Negotiation Skills: Negotiating contracts can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the industry. Casting agents are skilled negotiators who ensure you get fair compensation and favorable terms. They look out for your best interests and help you navigate the complexities of contracts.
Career Management: A casting agency doesn’t just find you gigs; they help manage your entire career. They offer long-term planning and strategy, helping you make decisions that align with your career goals. This holistic approach ensures sustained growth and success.
Increased Opportunities: With a casting agency, you’re more likely to get a steady stream of opportunities. They actively seek out roles that match your profile and submit you for consideration, increasing your chances of getting noticed by casting directors and producers.
Select the best casting agency by following these steps:
- Identify Your Goals:
- Determine the types of roles you're aiming for (film, television, theater, commercials).
- Research and Shortlist Agencies:
- Look for agencies with a solid reputation and a proven track record. Check online reviews, industry forums, and ask for recommendations.
- Evaluate Their Network:
- Ensure the agency has strong connections with casting directors, producers, and industry professionals relevant to your goals.
- Review Their Client Roster:
- Look at the talent they currently represent. Successful clients in your desired field indicate a good fit.
- Meet with Agents:
- Schedule meetings to assess their professionalism, communication style, and understanding of your aspirations. Ensure you feel comfortable and confident in their ability to represent you.
- Ask About Fees and Contracts:
- Understand the agency’s fee structure and contract terms. Reputable agencies work on a commission basis, typically taking 10% to 20% of your earnings. Avoid agencies that ask for upfront fees.
- Assess Their Support Services:
- Consider what additional services the agency offers, such as career guidance, audition preparation, and professional development resources.
- Trust Your Instincts:
- Choose an agency that not only meets your professional needs but also feels right on a personal level. Your agent should be someone you trust and feel comfortable working with.
By following these steps, you can choose a casting agency that will effectively support and enhance your career, helping you achieve your professional goals.
Relevant Background
- Do you have experience working in my specific industry (film, television, theater, commercials)?
- Can you provide case studies or examples of similar projects you’ve completed?
Company Services and Processes
- What specific services do you offer beyond casting, such as contract negotiation or career management?
- How do you develop and execute your casting strategies?
- What is your process for talent scouting and auditions?
- Which tools and platforms do you use, and can I have access to them?
- How do you stay updated with industry trends and changes?
The Project
- How will you tailor your approach to fit my career goals and needs?
- What do you believe will be the most effective strategies for my career, and why?
- How long do you typically take to secure roles for your clients?
- Who will be working on my account, and what are their qualifications?
- How do you handle project management and ensure deadlines are met?
- What will my involvement in the process be, and how often will we communicate?
- How often will I receive updates on the progress of my casting opportunities?
- What kind of reports will you provide, and what information will they include?
Budget and Pricing
- Can you provide a detailed breakdown of your pricing structure?
- Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?
Long-Term Relationship
- What ongoing support do you offer after securing a role?
- How do you handle revisions or changes to the casting strategy?
- Can you help with other aspects of my career growth, such as marketing or public relations?
These questions will help you understand the agency’s capabilities, their approach to casting, and how well they align with your career needs and goals, aiding you in making an informed decision.
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Our Rating Guidelines
Ranked: The Best Casting Agencies In San Diego
We've shortlisted the best ones for you and made it easy to only contact AAA or AA-rated agencies.
However, before you decide to go with anyone I recommend 2 things:
Either use our agency finder above. Use our expertise and let us help you find the ideal agency for you, from our worldwide contact database.
Or, if you are sure you'd like a local agency, set up meetings with the highly-rated agencies on this list, and test them for clear expectations from you/clear customer qualifications, clear onboarding process, clear long-term focused objectives, and clear communication.
And most important, don't fall for short-term hacks some poor quality agencies try to sell you on.
Look for long-term strategy, protecting your brand and clear timelines.
1. Samuel Warren & Associates
Founded Year: 1982
Website: samuelwarren.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Samuel Warren & Associates is a top casting agency in San Diego, providing international casting services for finding the best talents, actors, musicians, dancers, and other artistic professionals.
The company has over 30 years of experience in choosing the right candidates for movie commercials, film documentaries, and theater projects.
They offer incredible on-camera and acting workshops to develop and nurture the talents of potential candidates. Their casting team specializes in finding the perfect actor or real person to fit your exact needs and budget.
Case Studies: Pending submission
2. ShamonFrietas and Company
Founded Year: 1987
Website: shamonfreitas.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: ShamonFrietas and Company is a leading casting agency in San Diego that helps in casting the right candidates for movies, films, documentary, industrial, print, commercial, and theatrical projects.
The company has great experience in the fashion and entertainment industries and chooses the right professionals according to client requirements. They can help in casting models, actors, musicians, voice-over artists, and dancers for different projects according to their individual skill sets.
Case Studies: Pending submission
3. Tower Talent
Founded Year: 2008
Website: towertalent.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Tower Talent is a trusted casting agency in San Diego that conducts classes and auditions to choose the right actors, professional talents, dancers, musicians, models, and voiceover artists.
They can help in training the right candidates according to the job requirements to increase their confidence in representing different runway shows, movies, corporate events, and commercials.
The company has a team of casting directors and producers who conduct auditions and prepare the candidates for improving their careers in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Case Studies: Pending submission
4. Candis Casting
Founded Year: 2010
Website: candis.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Candis Casting is a skilled casting agency in San Diego with highly reputed casting directors who can help in choosing the best models, artists, musicians, dancers, and actors.
They can help in training the candidates by conducting auditions and workshops to meet the requirements of different directors and producers in the film industry.
The company has a great reputation for working with top male and female talents belonging to different ages, races, castes, and ethnicities. Their team members can review your applications and resume to find the best opportunities to improve your career.
Case Studies: Pending submission
5. Scotts Copeland International
Founded Year: 1989
Website: scottcopelandinternational.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Scott Copeland International is a credible casting agency in San Diego with over two decades of experience in representing actors, models, musicians, dancers, and other professional artists in the film industry.
They can help in casting the best acting rules for their professional artists to build their careers. The company forges excellent relationships with TV channels, advertising agencies, movie studios, and production houses to help in finding the right candidates according to the requirements of the producers and directors.
The company has a great reputation for launching the careers of local and international models with the help of its talented casting directors.
Case Studies: Pending submission
6. One-Stop Talent Agency
Founded Year: 2012
Website: onestoptalentagency.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: One Stop Talent Agency is a popular casting agency in San Diego with a great network of actors, musicians, dancers, makeup artists, fashion models, hostesses, and child artists.
They can help people find good opportunities in the print, editorial, commercial, industrial, automotive, commercial, and entertainment industries. They have plenty of experience in casting professional talents according to the requirements of film and movie producers and companies.
Case Studies: Pending submission
7. San Diego Model Management
Founded Year: 1985
Website: sdmodel.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: San Diego Model Management is a reputed casting agency in San Diego with a diverse and large selection base to help professional artists find good opportunities to build their careers.
Their models and actors are seen every day in commercials, TV episodes, runway shows, and industrial videos around the world. The company can find the best actors according to their client’s interests and budgets.
Case Studies: Pending submission
8. Model and Talent Management Agency
Founded Year: 2011
Website: mtmagency.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Model and Talent Management Agency is a professional casting agency in San Diego that helps in choosing the right candidates for different print, editorials, fashion, runway, corporate, product launches, and trade shows.
The company helps in promoting the talents of artists, actors, and models locally and then helps them represent shows and events at the national level. They have a team of casting directors who can conduct auditions and screening tests to choose the right artists according to the company requirements.
Their team chooses the candidates by assigning specific job opportunities based on their individual skill sets.
Case Studies: Pending submission
9. InnoVision Talent Agency
Founded Year: 2023
Website: innovisiontalentagency.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: InnoVision Talent Agency is a reliable casting agency in San Diego that represents talented actors, models, musicians, dancers, and voiceover artists for commercial editorial advertisements, movies, documentaries, and fashion projects.
The company has a casting team that conducts auditions and screening tests to choose the right candidates according to client requirements.
They can help models and actors secure acting roles at top companies in the fashion and entertainment industries. Their casting team also helps in finding voice-over artists for different projects.
Case Studies: Pending submission
10. No Ties Management
Founded Year: 2005
Website: notiesmanagement.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: No Ties Management is a unique casting agency in San Diego with great experience in scouting the best actors, models, voiceover artists, dancers, and musicians for different movies, documentaries, commercial, industrial, and theatrical projects.
They have casting directors who can contact auditions to choose the right candidates for different top advertising agencies, movie studios, and production houses in the area.
The company can help in finding both new and established professional talents and nurturing their careers to gain maximum success.
Case Studies: Pending submission
11. Platinum Models and Talent Agency
Founded Year: 2006
Website: platinum-models.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Platinum Models and Talent Agency is a dependable casting agency in San Diego that represents highly talented professional models, artists, actors, musicians, dancers, and voiceover artists.
They can cast these professional actors and models in product launches, fashion shows, corporate events, commercials, movies, films, and theatrical projects. The company has a talented casting team that chooses the right candidates according to the brand and company requirements.
Case Studies: Pending submission
12. Wild Models Talent Agency
Founded Year: 2017
Website: wildmodelstalentagency.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Wild Models Talent Agency is a distinguished casting agency in San Diego that has over 30 years of experience in choosing the best professional artists and actors to represent different projects in fashion and entertainment.
The company helps in booking men, women, and children of all ages to act in different commercials, advertisements, movies, films, videos, and music albums.
Case Studies: Pending submission
13. Vivienne Chang Casting
Founded Year: 2008
Website: viviennechangcasting.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Vivienne Chang Casting has great experience in casting professional actors, models, dancers, musicians, body doubles, and background artists.
The company can meet all your casting needs by working with the top production houses in the film and entertainment industries. They can screen the right candidates through auditions and workshops and help them get trained for their respective roles to improve their careers.
Case Studies: Pending submission
Conclusion
Casting agencies have a great role to play in the film industry as they help directors and producers choose the best actors and actresses for various roles in their projects. These agencies have massive experience screening candidates according to their balance and placing them in the right acting roles to enhance their careers.
It is best to hire a casting agency if you are looking to cast professional artist talent models and actors in your print commercials, critical editorials, or industrial projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a casting agency?
Casting agencies play a key role in finding the right artist model or professional actor for the film or movie company. They will have a team of casting directors who can conduct the screening process and auditions to train the candidate for the given role.
These agencies will fulfill the requirements of different production, movie, advertising, commercial, and theater companies to find the right artist for various commercial, industrial, print, and theatrical projects.
2. What will a casting agency do?
Casting agencies create a database of actors and models. This process involves the collection of audition tapes, head shots, and videos and categorizing them according to their age, looks, talents, experience, and potential.
They hold auditions per the production house's requirements to choose the most suitable candidates for acting roles in a particular movie or commercial.
3. How do I find the right casting agency?
When you are looking to find the right casting agency, you can research the different agencies and check their reputations to get the best opportunities for professional actors.
They should have a good network with the top advertising, production, movie, and film studios to help you land good roles.
The company should have a casting director team who can conduct auditions and workshops to choose the right candidates by giving them training and confidence to feature in different acting opportunities.
4. Why are casting agencies important?
Casting agencies can establish strong relationships with talent seekers, advertising agencies, producers, production companies, and casting directors.
The agency works to secure audition opportunities for actors on a regular basis. This makes them an important part of the fashion and entertainment industries.
5. How much will a casting agency charge?
Most casting agencies will not charge any fees for registering on their website and applying as a model or an actor. These agencies will get some commission once they place you on any acting project.
Many reputed casting agencies will get paid only through the production and advertising agencies for finding the right candidates based on their requirements.