The Talent Application Creator makes it simple to create a highly customized talent submission for a project. Select and add new photos, video reels, audio reels, and document to an application, save a project for later, or go back to an existing application and add new media.
How to Apply to a Production
To apply to a project, visit the casting notice which you’d like to apply, select the role you’d like to perform either from the dropdown in the upper right corner, or beneath the 'Key Details' section, and click the 'Apply' button.
You can also apply to a production from the Casting Notice role description section.
Your Talent Application
Once you click 'Apply' to submit to a project, you will be taken to the Talent Application Creator page.
Here you will see the role details, the required assets you need to include in your role, and your available media you can submit to the project.
Required Assets
At the top of the Application, you will see a box with a list of required assets. These are the assets that must be included in order to apply to this particular role:
Required assets can include a photo, video reel, audio reel, or cover letter. Once all required assets are present, all the circles will have a green check mark. As shown in the screenshot above, the cover letter asset has not yet been added. An application cannot be submitted unless all assets are accounted for. All applications require a Backstage Profile, so make sure yours is up to date!
Photos
You can add new photos, remove photos, and select a primary photo for each application.
Selecting a Primary Photo
A primary photo is the image that is seen first and foremost by casting directors when they view your submission.
To select a primary photo, click the star icon in the top left corner of the photo thumbnail in the 'Photos' area of the Application Creator.
Note: Each application can have only one primary photo.
Removing Photos
Sometimes, you may not wish to include certain images with a particular application. To remove a photo, click the 'X' icon in the top left corner of the image thumbnail you’d like removed. This will not remove your photo from your profile, just the current application.
Once you click the “X” symbol, the photo will disappear from your application.
Note: In order to remove a Primary (starred) photo from your application, you must first select an alternative primary photo. Once the photo you wish to remove is no longer starred as primary, you can remove it as usual.
Adding a New Photo
If you would like to include a new photo on your application that isn’t currently in your Profile, click the 'Add New' button at the top of the photos section of your profile.
Clicking the 'Add New' button will open up your Media Locker in a small window.
Simply select the photos you would like to add from your Media Locker gallery and then click the 'Add Selected Photos' button to attach them to your application.
Click the 'Upload New' button to attach a new image not present in your Media Locker to your application. Select the file from your computer's hard drive, upload it, and then click the 'Add Selected Photos' button to include it in your application.
Video and Audio
You can (and should!) attach audio and video reels to your application as well. Selecting video and audio reels to include in your application works the same way as photos.
Selecting the Order of a Video or Audio Reel
The video or audio reel in the first position is the first reel that is seen by casting directors when they view your application. To move a video or audio reel to a new position, click the drag and drop icon in the top right corner of each video or audio thumbnail in the video or audio section of the Application Creator.
Removing Audio and Video
To remove an audio or video reel from your application, click the “X” icon in the top left corner of the audio and video reel thumbnail you’d like removed.
Adding New Audio and Video reels
To add a new audio or video reel, click the 'Add New' button next to the Audio or Video section of your application.
This will load a popup window similar to when you added your photos above.
You can either copy and paste the URL of the SoundCloud audio or YouTube or Vimeo video you’d like to include in your application in the provided field and click 'Import' or use the direct upload method via the 'Upload New' button. Once the steps for either method have been completed, click the 'Add Selected Audio' or 'Add Selected Videos' button and your new reel will be added to your application.
For direct uploads the following are acceptable file formats:
Video: `'.avi', '.mpg', '.mp4', '.ogg', '.hevc', '.mov', '.m4v', '.webm', '.3gp', '.3g2', '.mkv'`
Audio: `'.ogg', 'm4a', '.mp3', '.flac', '.aac', '.wav'`
Please note that the ability to play the media can be delayed. Refreshing the screen will fix that and the media will be able to be played.
*To use the direct upload option, you must have an active subscription.
Adding Documents
Adding documents works in the same way as photos, except there is not a starred primary document.
If you have multiple documents in the application, click the drag and drop icon in the top right corner of each document to move it to it's desired position within the Resumes & Documents section of the Application Creator. The document in the first position will be the document first seen by the casting director when they view your application.
To upload a new document, click the 'Add New' button next to the Resumes & Documents section of your application. You will then see a popup window where you can upload a new document.
Click 'Add Selected Documents' to attach the new document to your application.
The platform supports .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt and .rtf file formats for your documents.
Adding a Cover Letter
You may include a cover letter with each application. Creating a unique and thoughtful cover letter is highly recommended! For tips on how to write a cover letter, please see here.
Scroll down to the Cover Letter section of the application and you will be prompted to add a cover letter. You can either create a new one or use a prior saved template.
If you click on 'Add New' you will be taken to a window where you can write a new cover letter. Once written, you can click on the 'Save as a Template' button to save a copy for future use and then click on the 'Add Cover Letter' button to add it to the application. If you don't want to save it you can just add it to the application.
***Please note that when you go to create a cover letter in applications, you will see a sample letter present in the field for reference purposes only. You will need to click into the field and then begin typing to actually create your letter.
If you click on 'Add a cover letter' you will be taken to a window that allows you to select a Cover Letter Template that you want to add to the application. Simply select the one you want and click on the 'Add Selected Template' button. You can also edit or delete the template should you choose (see pencil and trash can icons on the right). You can also write a new cover letter should you choose.
Saving an Application
If you want to apply to a role but can’t do so at the moment, you can choose to save your application and apply later. Click the 'Save' button at the top right of your application, right above the 'Role Details' section.
Once you save, your application will be stored in the 'Drafts' section of your 'My Applications' in your Talent Dashboard.
Submitting Your Application
When you are finished customizing your application, scroll down to the bottom of your application page and click the 'Apply Now' button.
***Some applications will ask for a pre-screen. For information about that please see this article.
Break a leg!