Need actors, crew members, or other creative talent for your next project? For more than 60 years, filmmakers have turned to Backstage to discover talent and build teams.
Long before audiences knew their names, directors like David O. Russell and Edward Burns used Backstage to cast early projects and find emerging talent. Burns’ casting call for his debut feature, “The Brothers McMullen,” drew thousands of submissions—including one from then-unknown actor Connie Britton, who was looking to land her first film role.
Every filmmaker starts somewhere. Here’s how they are using the platform today—and what you can learn from their experiences.
What happens when you widen your search
A student short isn’t cast the same way as an indie feature. A fantasy film requires different talent than a comedy showcase. But every project benefits from finding the right people.
How two student filmmakers cast bold stories with big impact
While creating “A Night at the Circus,” filmmakers Robin Manganaro and Vy Pham needed performers who could bring nuance to difficult roles. Their search led them to actors who fit the roles—and helped complete the project’s creative vision.
“For this project, I didn’t even need to look anywhere else. Backstage had more than enough amazing talent to choose from, and it just made the whole process smooth.” —Vy Pham, casting director
How an indie feature found its cast—and festival success
When filmmaker Luke Covert set out to make the feature “Turbo Cola,” he needed to cast a lead and five supporting roles on a tight indie budget. He used Backstage to find the cast he needed in a matter of weeks and help launch a film that went on to win multiple festival awards.
“We were looking for undiscovered actors who were on the cusp of being great…. And we found exactly what we were looking for on Backstage.” —Luke Covert, filmmaker
How a fantasy film found its rising stars
Bringing a fantasy story to life requires performers who can make the extraordinary feel believable. “Cedric & Alysia” filmmaker Michael Rooney turned to Backstage to find actors capable of grounding the story’s larger-than-life world in authentic performances.
“We needed actors who could step up to the plate with gusto, as well as a fervent imagination. Backstage gave us an incredible launching point to find the wonderful professionals who were ready to take their careers to that level.” —Michael Rooney, producer, director, and writer
Why filmmakers keep coming back
Student films, indie features, fantasy projects—every production has different goals, budgets, and creative challenges. And filmmakers keep using Backstage to solve many of the same problems.
Find the people you haven’t met yet
Backstage gives filmmakers access to one of the broadest and most diverse creative talent pools, making it easy to discover performers, crew members, and creative professionals outside your existing network.
Fill more than one role
Backstage isn’t just for finding actors. Creators also use the platform to find:
- Voice actors
- Models
- Production crew
- Video editors
- Makeup artists
- Photographers
- Content creators
- Other creative specialists
That flexibility can be especially valuable when you’re filling multiple roles across a production.
Make talent decisions faster
Evaluating applicants takes time.
Backstage helps streamline the process with talent profiles featuring reels, media samples, experience, skills, and more. The result: less guesswork and faster decisions. The platform also provides tools for messaging and requesting self-tapes and auditions.
Spend less time managing the search
Casting and hiring can quickly spread across emails, spreadsheets, text messages, referrals, and social media posts.
Using a dedicated platform helps keep everything in one place—from project job postings and submissions to messaging and applicant management.
For filmmakers handling casting themselves, staying organized frees up time for the creative work that matters most.
Ready to start your search?
Great projects rarely happen alone.
The right actor can transform a scene. The right crew member can solve a problem before it happens. The right collaborator can change the trajectory of an entire production.
If you’re ready to widen your search, Backstage can help you find the people who make the difference.
Browse Backstage’s talent database or post your first job to start finding the right people for your next production.
