Throughout the film industry you'll hear varied opinions about what the most important element of creating a film is. Some say it is a great script; others claim that a film's director is the most crucial element. Then there are those who believe that casting the right actors is the most pivotal decision a filmmaker must make. More often than not, it's a combination of the three.

Casting a film is much like cooking — you need the right ingredients in just the right amounts to create something that's palatable and satisfying. Casting professionals are chefs. They take a director's vision and a writer's story, and concoct a ten-course meal that's worthy of a five-star restaurant. If the recipe is off, however, even a potentially great film could easily turn out to be average.

Setting Realistic Goals

No matter whether your budget is large or small, you have to set realistic goals for your production. Actors, especially A-list players, cost a lot of money. Lesser-known actors don't have the same salary requirements, but they may lack exposure or experience. Casting is a fine line between beauty, budget, and risk, and as such, you need to carefully assess each role and the type of actor you need to make that character successful. Great characters played by the wrong actors can sink a film, no matter how good your screenplay.

The Casting Director

Picture for a moment if Bette Davis had played Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind, or James Cagney had played Ben Hur. How different would those epic films have been with a different cast? Chances are, they probably would have flopped. Fortunately for the viewing audience, those films and hundreds of other classic motion pictures had a cast who possessed the right mix of acting talent that was selected and nurtured. Having the perfect cast can make a motion picture. Having a great casting director (or plenty of clout) will help thwart the tragedies that occur as a result of, say, casting Geena Davis as a pirate or John Wayne as Genghis Kahn.

A casting director, or CD, is an individual responsible for finding and auditioning actors for many of the roles a motion picture calls for. CDs work closely with the director and producer as well as the actors and their agents. When hiring a CD it's essential that you find an individual who has a large pool of actors from which to choose, and the ability to mix and match talent to accommodate whatever you or the director are searching for.

In addition, the casting department serves as liaison between the director and actor, and often oversees the negotiations and contracts with agents of actors who are being cast. On a big-budget production requiring hundreds of extras, casting can be overwhelming, so it's crucial to find a CD who is not only well connected but extremely well organized.

Casting directors are pros at matching the right actor to the right role. They immerse themselves in a hunt for established actors while also finding as yet undiscovered talent. They're the matchmakers of the filmmaking industry, and their help is indispensable, especially when it comes to large casts requiring hundreds of extras or specialty films in need of animals.

An organized casting director should have a clear understanding of the director's vision and be able to make casting choices accordingly. The majority of the CD's time is spent sorting through loads of potential actor resumes as well as pouring through her list of resources. A good casting director will have strong relationships with many talent agents and managers and possess excellent negotiating skills when it comes time to recruit actors.

Typically it's a casting director's job to deal with actors and their agents and act as liaison to the film's director. In fact, she usually won't present her actor choices to a film's director or producer until she's got a solid selection to show him. A lot of time is saved when casting decisions are narrowed down and presented in full. This open line of communication is invaluable to a director, who has a busy agenda and little time to negotiate with agents. Casting pros also arrange for auditions, casting calls, and callbacks.

Casting directors are also great at assessing potential actors. In making their decisions they'll examine a number of factors, including an actor's experience, range, physical characteristics, and other special talents — for example, martial arts training or stunt experience.

If There's a Will, There's a Way

If you don't have a casting director or can't afford one, then the process of finding talent will fall onto your shoulders or those of your producer or director. Your budget, in that case, will play a large part in casting actors, but don't let that stop you. With the right connections, excellent advertising, or a major dose of luck you could win over any number of A-list actors who might be willing to work within the confines of your budget.