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Audition Notice: Meaning & Definition in Film

An audition notice is a detailed announcement that provides actors with all the necessary information for a specific audition opportunity.

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The Blueprint for an Audition

An audition notice is the official document that formally announces a casting opportunity. When distributed to talent agents and casting platforms, this document is more formally known as a casting breakdown. It serves as the primary source of information for an actor and their agent, providing all the essential details needed to understand the project, the roles available, and the submission requirements. A well-written notice is clear, concise, and gives the actor a strong sense of the character and the tone of the project.

Anatomy of an Audition Notice

A professional audition notice is a highly structured document that contains several key pieces of information:

  • Project Information: This section includes the project’s title, the type of production (e.g., feature film, episodic series, commercial), and its union status (e.g., SAG-AFTRA, non-union).
  • Production Personnel: The names of the key creative team, including the director, producers, and casting director.
  • Production Schedule: The tentative start date for shooting and the filming location.
  • Logline: A one-sentence summary of the film’s plot.
  • Character Breakdowns: This is the heart of the notice. It lists each available role with the following details:
    • Character Name: The name of the character.
    • Age Range: The desired age range for the actor (e.g., 25-35).
    • Character Description: A brief but evocative description of the character’s personality, key traits, and role in the story.
  • Submission Instructions: How and when to submit for consideration. For modern productions, this almost always involves instructions for submitting a self-tape.
  • Sides: The notice will include an attachment of the ‘sides’—the specific pages from the script that the actor is expected to prepare and perform for their audition.

For professional, union-affiliated projects, these notices are distributed to licensed talent agents through exclusive services like Breakdown Services. For independent or non-union projects, they may be posted on public casting websites.

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