I'm already on actorsaccess (upgrading to showfax soon) and nowcasting, and I've had good luck with them. I've heard mixed reviews about lacasting, and that it's mainly geared towards commercials. Any opinions appreciated.

LA Casting is ok... but not anything to get to excited about I think NowCasting is far and away the best of the tree main casting sites.

There is a lot of duplication if you have all three sites, and LA Casting charges a lot for each picture you add. And they have been working on their website for the last six months. Yes, it is still usable, but it's not very user friendly.

So, in conclusion, yes, it will help you a little, but probably not all that much.

I get most auditions from La Casting. Backstage is good too.

I don't get anything from LA casting at all..

All my daughter's good castings have come from LA Casting.

What I don't like is that they pound the cash out of you when you need to update your photos.

I like that you can submit as much as needed for one cost where Actors Access seems to be a per-submit basis .. please let me know if that is an incorrect statement.

So .. I like LA Casting, but wish they would let you update your headshots without breaking the bank.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by HighCap56:
I like that you can submit as much as needed for one cost where Actors Access seems to be a per-submit basis .. please let me know if that is an incorrect statement.

So .. I like LA Casting, but wish they would let you update your headshots without breaking the bank.

I use LACasting and have booked work through them, but I agree with you and others on their high photo fees. I also don't care for their limited space for sending notes or their restriction on including URLs, especially when information is requested by the CDs or directors.

I also use Actors Access and you do have the option of paying a yearly fee for unlimited submissions, which also gives you access to free sides. If you submit regularly, it pays for itself within the first month or two. AA is definitely less expensive (free registration which includes 2 photos that can be changed whenever and viewable breakdowns) and has features that are easier to use such as your submission history which is not deleted (LAC's is) and AA sends you a confirmation e-mail when you've submitted (LAC does not). That is also helpful when you have someone else submitting for you. You only have to check your e-mails to see if you were submitted for anything without having to go to the site.

I like Nowcasting's free registration with 6 free photos that can be changed easily with no extra fess, I just wish you could read the breakdowns without having to pay, like you can on AA. I don't use NC for submitting yet, but may in the future when I'm more available.

LA Casting is geared towards commercials--and some LA commercial casting directors use it almost exclusively.

For anyone who is new to all this, I would like to add that LACasting also includes breakdowns for print work, student and indie films as well as background work for commercials, TV, major feature films, audience work for several game shows and... *deep breath*gulp* reality show contestants.

LA Casting is what I had a really bad Commercial Agent tell me to get on. I did get a few auditions from it, but mostly for projects that never amounted to much. It;s grea for smaller film experience, and Non- Union Theater. Both feilds you realize very quickly you DON'T want to sped too much time in, especially out here.

Trust your Gut.

A CD friend of mine who casts commercials uses LA Casting almost exclusively, so I know it IS being used by legitimate casting people for major commercial projects.

I did not mind them at first, although their fees and rules are ridiculous. I liked them for student stuff, as that was all I ever got. However, I was trying to cast my own little project recently, two times actually and I found the guy in charge down there to be a negative, nasty, depressing and difficult loser who made it impossible for me to try and get people for my project. So- I put my ad on Now Casting and had no drama- at all. I am sticking with them now I think. La Casting is really too expensive for student films mainly. Besides, I have a thing about helping pay assholes wages. Just be polite and respectful and you can have my money!

My experience with lacasting.com has all been as an actor via my agent, so I don't know how well it works for individuals. I just know commercial CDs use it.

Do you guys use backstage for casting? Do you find it leans towards a particular type of job?

From my understanding, most national commercials are cast exclusively through lacasting. Which is way they can rape us on photo update charges. On AA, you can pay for a whole year and have unlimited submissions and also update your photos for free.

I have booked a few gigs through LAcasting. Mostly through my agent but some on my own. But really if you an actor in LA you HAVE to be on
lacasting
nowcasting
actorsaccess
backstage.

Have to. Is it a chunk of change, yes, but this is a business. You cannot turn down ANY chance you have for work. It s far to competitive out here to not be on EVERY site.

How do these sites work for union actors? From what I've seen its almost exclusively non-union work. What about for finding an agent?