What to expect at a go-see-(an audition for print)
Your agent will call or e-mail you and say I have a “go-see” or a “casting” for you. They will tell you the name of the product/company, date, time, rate, shoot date, location of the casting, and how to dress when you attend the casting.
**If you're going to be unavailable during the shoot date(s), don’t go to the casting. It reflects poorly on an agent when the client likes you and we have to tell them you’re not available for the booking.
IMPORTANT: CONTACT YOUR AGENT IMMEDIATELY AND LET THEM KNOW IF YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE THE GO-SEE OR NOT.
Most castings go for a set period of time, example: from 1pm-3pm. You can show up anytime within the time frame, unless you are told otherwise.
When you arrive at your casting there will be a sign-in sheet. You will need to sign in your name, your agency’s name and phone number.
A casting assistant might take your comp card or headshot, and attach it to your sign-up sheet. Always bring 2 comp cards or headshots with you to a go-see, unless told otherwise.
A casting assistant will also give you a number. When your number is called, it’s your turn to get your photo taken. You may be asked to give a specific expression (happy, sad, confused, etc). If they don’t tell you what expression they want, feel free to ask them. Then they take your picture, and you’re done. Pretty simple.
**Casting will contact your agent if they are interested in you. If this happens, your agent will email/call and let you know. Don’t email/call your agent and ask if you got the job. THEY WILL CALL YOU.
What happens when several agencies call me for the same casting?
WHOEVER CALLS YOU FIRST IS THE AGENCY YOU SIGN IN UNDER AT THE CASTING.
As an agent, I'm trying to get my best people into the casting. If you email/call me back and tell me you already got the casting from another agent, I respect that and make a note so I remember to call you earlier next time. I don’t get upset because I understand it’s part of the business.
This business moves very fast. For example, casting comes in on Monday, go-see will be on Tuesday, and you will be put on hold by Thursday or Friday for a job that shoots early the following week. You rarely get more than a days notice for anything.
What if I don’t want to go to the casting because I don’t like the product?
There will be times when castings come in for “sensitive” products, such as alcohol, cigarettes, and certain pharmaceuticals, like HIV drugs you may not be comfortable. I’ve had plenty of models turn down castings because of this, and I don’t blame them. If you don’t like a product don’t go to the casting. This may upset your agent, mostly because the “sensitive” products usually pay very well. Remember you have to be happy too and your face will be associated with the product if you book the job. If you are unsure whether or not to attend the casting, ask where the pictures will end up (usage). Many times with the sensitive pharmaceuticals, the pictures will go straight to doctors so the public will never see them (trade). Other times they may appear in consumer magazines for the whole world to see. The more informed you are the better prepared you will be to make the right decision.
How to Dress at a go-see
Your agent will tell you what to wear to your casting. If they don’t mention wardrobe, feel free to ask. You need to know, because you’re going for an audition as a character in a print job.
The following are some wardrobe guidelines for your castings:
Casual: Jeans, khakis, polo shirt, sweater, casual shoes or nice sneakers.
Business casual: Men: Khakis’ and a button down shirt. Women: A skirt, nice blouse, and heels.
Business: Full suit for both men and women.
Upscale: Dress like you are going to an upscale restaurant or function.
Men Upscale: Look sharp! Wear a suit with no tie, or slacks with a button down and blazer.
Women Upscale: Also look sharp! Wear a cocktail dress, or a dressy blouse with a skirt or slacks.
Hip/cool: This is usually for the younger talent. Wear whatever the current trends are.
Athletic: Shorts, running pants, yoga apparel, tank tops, clean T-shirts, nice clean sneakers.
It’s important to have a nice wardrobe. Keep your clothes clean and in fashion. You will need to be able to dress like any of the above categories at a moment’s notice. If you have to go out and purchase a suit, do it. Save your receipt, you can write it off on your taxes. How you present yourself at the go-see says a lot about you.
How to wear your hair and make up to a go-see
This is for woman especially. You should factor in how your agent tells you to dress. Don’t overthink--use common sense. A phrase you’ll hear again and again is “nice/casual.” You now know what that means from a wardrobe point of view, but how about hair and make-up? I suggest clean/natural make-up. Hair should be styled nicely, usually away from your face or down-- but ask the casting director which they prefer. Your agent may tell you to wear your hair pulled back in a pony tail or down. Whenever your agent gives specific instructions--always listen and follow it.
What’s a Request go-see?
This happens after a picture submission, when the client “requests” to meet you in person. There are usually fewer people at a request go-see, than a regular go-see.
Who am I going to see?
You can see a casting director. A casting director is hired by a client, such as Pepsi. Pepsi or the advertising agency for Pepsi tells the casting director what they are looking for. Example, they'll ll say, “we need Caucasian woman 30-35 that could look like suburban soccer moms with blonde hair and blue eyes.” Then the casting director emails/calls the modeling agencies, and says, “I’m casting a job for Pepsi, send me Caucasian woman 30-35, that could look like suburban soccer moms with blonde hair and blue eyes.” Then I email all of my women who fit that type, and get them to see the casting director.
The casting director will set up the casting for the next day at a studio. When you arrive at the casting, you will give them your headshot or composite card, and fill out an information sheet with your name, agency, sizes, etc. Then, an assistant will take your picture. At the end of the casting the casting director will look through the photos taken throughout the day, and present the “best” models for the job to either the advertising agency or directly to the client. The client tells the casting director, “we like Janet.” The casting director calls up Janet’s agent to make sure she’s available for the shoot date, and if she’s available and she’s their top choice, she will get the job. The casting director gets paid by the client to get all the right types of people in front of them so they (the client) can choose who they like for their advertisement.
You won’t see the casting director at the booking, because they already moved on to casting their next project. After they call me to book Janet, I deal with the production company, so the casting director’s job is over. Most casting directors freelance, so one week they are working on Verizon, and the next week its American Express.
You may go-see the photographer
If you are going to see the photographer, then everything you do matters. This photographer will be shooting the final job, so even though someone else hired them, they have tremendous input on who gets the booking. They have to work with the model all day, so they are going to want someone who is easy to work with and professional.
You may go-see the client directly
Usually this happens for editorials in magazines. You will go see the photo director or photo editor of the magazine. Again, how you present yourself is very important. These people you’re meeting are going to hire you for the job.
No matter who you go see, always be on time, be nice, and be courteous.
