Creating Your First Audition

Publishing an audition on Castora takes just a few minutes. This guide walks you through every step — from defining the role to sharing the audition link with performers.

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

• A Castora account with an active organisation
• At least one team member invited (optional, but recommended for collaborative scoring)
• Any supporting materials ready to upload (scripts, sides, reference clips)

Step 1: Start a new audition

From your dashboard, click New Audition. You'll be taken to the audition builder where you can configure everything about your casting call.

Audition details

Start by filling in the basics:

• Title — a clear name for the role or project (e.g., "Lead Role — The Morning After" or "Commercial VO — Spring Campaign").
• Description — outline what you're looking for. Include character details, tone, age range, and any specific requirements. The more context you give performers, the better their submissions will be.
• Project — optionally group auditions under a project so related roles stay organised together.

Submission requirements

Define what performers need to include when they submit:

• Self-tape video — the core submission. You can specify maximum duration, preferred framing, and any technical requirements.
• Slate — whether performers should include a slate (name, agent, location) at the start of their tape.
• Additional materials — request headshots, CVs, or any other files alongside the video submission.

Be specific about what you need. Clear requirements mean fewer back-and-forth messages and higher quality submissions.

Step 2: Upload supporting materials

Give performers everything they need to prepare a strong audition. Navigate to the Materials section and upload:

• Scripts and sides — the specific scenes or copy performers should prepare.
• Reference clips — examples of the tone, style, or energy you're looking for.
• Character breakdowns — detailed descriptions beyond what's in the main brief.
• Brand guidelines — for commercial work, include any brand voice or visual references.

All materials are stored in your audition's Resource Drive, with access automatically scoped to performers who have been invited or who access the audition link.

Step 3: Configure your scorecard

The scorecard is how your team will evaluate submissions. Setting it up before you receive any tapes ensures consistent, objective reviews.

Adding criteria

Click Add Criterion to define what you're evaluating. Common criteria include:

• Performance quality — acting ability, emotional range, authenticity.
• Technical execution — audio clarity, framing, lighting, eye-line.
• Character fit — how well the performer matches the role's requirements.
• Direction potential — whether the performer shows range and adaptability.

Setting weights

Not all criteria matter equally. Assign percentage weights to reflect your priorities:

Weights must total 100%. The weighted scoring system ensures that a performer who nails the performance but has slightly imperfect lighting isn't unfairly penalised compared to a technically polished but emotionally flat submission.

Rating scale

Each criterion is scored on a 1–5 scale:

1. Does not meet requirements
2. Below expectations
3. Meets expectations
4. Exceeds expectations
5. Outstanding

Reviewers score each criterion independently, and Castora calculates the weighted average automatically.

Step 4: Set your deadline

Choose when submissions close. You can set:

• A fixed deadline — submissions close at a specific date and time.
• Rolling acceptance — submissions stay open until you manually close the audition.

For fixed deadlines, consider giving performers at least 5–7 days to prepare and record. Tight turnarounds reduce submission quality and exclude performers who might be perfect for the role but need more time.

Step 5: Invite reviewers

Before publishing, add your casting team as reviewers. Navigate to the Reviewers section and invite team members by email or select from your organisation's member list.

Each reviewer will:

• Receive a notification when new submissions arrive
• Score submissions independently using your scorecard
• Have access to the Audition Room for discussion

You can assign reviewers at any time — before or after publishing.

Step 6: Publish and share

When everything is configured, click Publish. Your audition is now live and ready to receive submissions.

Sharing options

Castora gives you several ways to get your audition in front of performers:

• Direct link — copy the unique audition URL and share it via email, social media, or casting forums.
• Email invitations — invite specific performers directly from Castora. They'll receive an email with the audition details and a link to submit.
• Embed code — for agencies or production companies with their own websites, embed the audition submission form directly on your site.

What happens next?

Once performers start submitting, you'll see their submissions appear in your audition dashboard. From there you can:

• Watch and score submissions individually
• Compare candidates side by side
• Discuss standout performances in the Audition Room
• Mark verdicts (shortlisted, held, or passed)

Head to Reviewing Submissions for a detailed guide on evaluating self-tapes with your team.

Tips for a great audition

• Be specific in your brief — vague descriptions lead to generic submissions.
• Keep your scorecard focused — 3–5 criteria is the sweet spot. More than that and reviewers lose focus.
• Set realistic deadlines — rushed performers produce rushed tapes.
• Upload quality materials — clear scripts and good reference clips make a massive difference.
• Test the flow — before sharing widely, send the audition link to a colleague and have them do a test submission.