Casting Calls in Singapore – how to get Auditions
Casting Calls – what are they?
If you’re new to acting you may not know what a “Casting Call” is. You may have heard of an “Audition”? Well, it’s the same thing. A Casting Call or Audition is basically like an interview for a job. The casting agent or director wants to see who will best fit the job. So, they will invite a lot of actors or actresses to come and “audition” for the part. Of course, most who come will not be “right” for the part simply because of their look, physicality or accent; or, sometimes, the director just has something very particular in mind for the role.
Almost all films, tv and theatre shows start with a casting call or audition. Whether it’s a big Hollywood production or local tv show there has to be a process where all the actors are selected for all the parts.
What happens at Casting Calls?
Usually, you’re greeted by someone who will ask you to fill out a form with your contact details, short bio and measurements (if you’re a member of AADB – you can print out your online CV – just go to your profile and click PRINTER FRIENDLY – then print that page). Then you will be given a script of the part you’re going to audition for. You’ll then be given some time to learn the script. You should learn this script as well as you can – there’s nothing worse than trying to act with a piece of paper in your hand. Always, always try to memorize the entire script. It’s even better if you ask the casting agent or director to email you the script to learn days before your actual audition.
The actual audition will usually happen in a quiet room with a camera, some lighting and the casting director. He or she will read the other part/s of the script from behind the camera. You’ll be asked to relax and then give your performance when the camera rolls. It’s not easy – but it’s a skill that can be learnt and improved on over time.
Tips for Casting Calls
- Always dress for the part. If you’re auditioning for a role as a lawyer or business man/woman – make sure you dress as a business man or woman. This helps everyone – it will help you “get into” the role and it will certainly help the casting director and anyone else who will see the casting tape imagine you in the role.
- Put on some makeup. Particularly for actresses. You want to look the best on camera and make sure it’s appropriate for the role.
- Bring your CV. If you have a printable CV with a headshot – bring it. Again it helps whoever is on the other side of that audition get a good sense of what you’ve done in the past.
- Ask about the role. If they haven’t already told you about the role – ask a few questions to get an idea how the casting agent thinks the role should be played. After your first take you should ask if they’d like to see it played differently.
- Ask for another take. If you feel you didn’t give your best – ask for another take. In other words – ask to do the scene again. Casting agents are usually happy to get a better take.
- Do something different. Sometimes doing a take that is just DIFFERENT will surprise a casting director and will help you stand out from the crowd. Don’t be crazy and throw things or take off your clothes – but try playing the scene in a radically different way. It might just work!
- Don’t waste time. Don’t ever waste a casting director’s time with excuses or problems of your own – they are usually on a very tight schedule.
- Remember: they want you to get the job. Don’t forget that the whole point they are auditioning is to find someone to fill that role. They WANT you to get the job. As soon as they’ve found the right actor they can stop casting! So relax – casting agents are on your side.
Where to find Casting Calls in Singapore
The best place to find casting calls is on AADB. The casting calls are all formatted – giving you all the relevant information, they allow actors to submit themselves and we keep an eye on the whole process to make sure it upholds professional standards.
Just go to our Casting Call or Audition page and click on the DETAILS link on any of the audiitons. As a member of AADB you will be able to Submit your profile online directly to the casting agent. This saves a lot of emailing back and forth of CV’s, bios, photographs etc. The casting director will get a link directly to your profile. It couldn’t be easier.
If you have any questions or comments – do leave them below. In the meantime – good luck with your auditions – and break a leg!
Themocracy
Hi there. I’m not from Singapore. I am just wondering if there are English-speaking roles in Singapore for theater and most especially film that aspiring actresses can audition for? Thank you very much! I would really appreciate any help. Acting is a passion, but it has not been viewed as practical. I wonder if Singapore is possibly a good place to work for a lucrative (well, honestly,”life-sustaining”) acting career. Thank you…
Hi there, there certainly is plenty of work in Singapore – it’s not lucrative but many actors and actresses manage to live off acting. Generally, you have to be in Singapore to go to auditions and to work – there usually isn’t a lot of lead time between auditions and the jobs – so you generally have to be in Singapore or nearby. Alot of actors from Malaysia do get work in Singapore and will travel to and fro. If acting is a passion my advice to you is to get good training wherever you are – it’s the quickest way to get into an acting career and is the best way to help ensure you have a long career. Untrained actors generally have much shorter careers. Get training then my suggestion is come to Singapore and audition audition audition.
hi, im a Filipino actor.Do you think there’s some auditions going on in Singapore who would accept Filipino actors? Thanks a lot!
Absolutely! But not many productions would fly actors in from the Phillipines. So as long as you’re able to make the trip for the job there’s definitely work for Filipino actors.
hi there AADB Admin, i’m a singaporean, my race is chinese, but i dont know how to read chinese and write chinese, but, i’m good with english. I dont have acting experience, but i like to act alot and i think acting is a very fun and joyful career too join as you can get to try different roles and have different kinds of expression, be it comedy, thrill, horror, action & adventure and e.t.c, if possible i would like to go into movies like many other actors does in Hollywood or any popular production, so i was wondering if you have any ideas to enlightened me
so that i can be the next famous actor for Singapore.
Hi Robert,
Acting is certainly a fun career but it’s also very hard work. My advice is for you to try some acting courses and start auditioning for roles. You will soon know whether you love the acting profession or not. It’s not an easy profession – there is a lot of disappointment and heartache but some people are just made to be actors. Wanting to be famous isn’t a great start in this sort of career. You should enter a career because you love the process not the by-products (fame).
Hi AADB Admin, I’m a Singaporean, a Chinese. I have interest in acting since I was young, but I didn’t have to courage to try all these things out, therefore I don’t have any experience in acting. I really want to learn how to act, and have been searching around the internet until I came to this page. I wonder if you can recommend any school or acting courses for me?(those temporary courses, cause I don’t have the budget and time to enroll into school like Lasalle
)
Hi,
Try Centre-Stage School of the arts – they have adult and teen drama courses: http://centre-stage.com/Courses.php
Hi, Im a musician who has been playing in a band for some years now with my fair share of performances and shows in Singapore, however, I would really like to venture into the acting/film industry.. Is it a pre-requisite for all actors who are established and successful to have come from a drama/acting school? And if yes, can you recommend a few reputable schools that have produced successful actors or have good opportunities for their students to meet up with directors and get roles in films? Thank you..
Hi Emmanuel, there are no pre-requisites for actors to have come from a drama school but it helps. I’d recommend Lasalle and NAFA as full time acting schools and Centre-Stage School of the Arts as a part time school.
Hi!I’m a local and i’ve been acting as a TV extra for a couple of times. I would like to know how can i go further? Do i need to enrol in any acting courses? Acting is basically my passion but i just don’t know how pursue it.
Hi there,
I’ve grown up in the film industry and acted in Los Angeles for over 20 years. I stopped to have a family. Now, I’m living in Singapore supporting my husband’s profession, but find I miss acting terribly. Just wondering what the scope looks like out here and since it’s been awhile I’m not even sure how to get started again??
There is work here – obviously not as much as in Los Angeles. Best thing to do is to just join under NEW MEMBER SIGN UP. Join under ACTORS ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION category and then create your profile. There is a free trial for a month so you can see how it works. Just check the auditions and submit your profile to appropriate ones. You will find production companies will contact you directly too once your profile is up so do check your internal email box (within AADB).
Hi Andrew,
You definitely should enrol in courses if you can – Lasalle, NAFA or part time courses when you can find them. Acting is a skill and it takes more than talent to survive the industry. So learn as much as you can – get as good as you can and start auditioning!
sir, i heard abt casting calls in singapore. so before i apply for an audition i would like get some experience in acting. since i m a malaysian, could please tell where are the training schools in malaysia. thank you very much
Hi! I wonder if there are any jobs for European kids in Singapore? I don’t have a lot of experience but I had drama classes for 1 year. In my home country I signed up for a model/acting agency but I never had a chance to get any jobs as I left to Singapore.
Hi Kristina, Yes there are jobs for all races. There are actors of all races on the database and jobs for all races through all the media types – tv, film, theatre and print.
How can I register with AADB on behalf of my daughter who is 5 yrs old. She’s a freelance kid model.
You can join under ACTORS ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION – its a free trial for the first month. After that it’s $150 per year. We take no commission on any jobs actors get.
As far as we know you don’t have to be Singaporean or PR – many models and actors work here without PR status – but best for you to check with the ministry of manpower or production companies.
hi , i love to sing and perform to people. can i know where’s the best place 4 me? im new
I’m Malaysian, but i’m want start to be an actor from singapore… can i??
i got a call from someone from singapore…
she said the got an audition but i can’t believe them 100%
so how?
Check out their profile listing – ask them if they have an official listing on AADB and then check their business address and contact details.
You can – but you will have to be prepared to travel to Singapore for auditions. If you’re willing to relocate for work – it might work out for you. The majority of auditions are for Singapore jobs only.
Join the site under ACTORS ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION – then create your own profile and start auditioning.
May I know how to get a job as an ‘extra’/calefare in Mediacorp shows on Channel 5 or 8? Is there any procedure of application to go through? Currently their postings on AADB are for lead roles which I feel I do not have the necessary expertise to take up, hence I would like to start out as an extra to gain more exposure. Thank you!
The best way to get calefare type roles would be to join up here and then post yourself under NEW COMER. Most productions don’t post auditions for extras – they just pick them and contact them directly.
Hi AADB Admin,
I have question regarding work opportunities in Singapore for a 198 cm tall European male in the industry. I have little experience as an actor, mainly done plays in my school years later I did some modeling and I realize that training is essential to get the performance up to suitable level but I’m curious would I be able to get jobs considering my hight?
Thanks
I’m no sure about height being a problem – but there are certainly jobs for all races and ages.
You may want to just sign up and try for a month – it’s a free trial for actors so just give it a go.
Hi,
i was wondering if there are a lot of oppurtinies/auditions for people with a singing interest?? cause i do full-time acting at an arts school and singing part-time training! thanks
Yes there are – there are musical auditions and sometimes ads or tv shows which involve singing. Why don’t you just put your profile on AADB – it’s a free one month trial. You can then get a good idea of the types of jobs going around on the audition page.