Casting Calls in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is still where the studios, the networks and the largest casting offices sit, which makes it the deepest market in the world for series regulars, pilots, features and national commercials.

It is also the most competitive — the same breadth of opportunity draws the largest talent pool, and almost everything is cast from self-tapes reviewed by offices that see thousands of submissions per role.

Below are the live Los Angeles casting calls we currently hold.

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Live casting calls in Los Angeles (2)

  • Afterlife - USC MFA Thesis Film
    Roles
    Ahmed (Lead, male 20-25), Hakim (Supporting, male 18-22), Amir (Supporting, male 19-25), Bilal (Supporting, male 45-60), Hakim's Mother VO (Supporting, female 40-50)
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Project type
    Short Film
    Union
    SAG-AFTRA
    Compensation
    Copy/Credit/Meals — Copy, IMDb credit and meals

    Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given

  • Adam Wa Mishmish - Live Touring Musical
    Roles
    Female Lead Singer/Actor (Lead, female), Male Lead Singer/Actor (Lead, male), Female Supporting (Supporting, female), Male Supporting (Supporting, male), Oud Player/Guitarist (Musician, any), Percussionist (Musician, any)
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Project type
    Theater
    Union
    Non-Union
    Compensation
    Paid — $250/show plus travel, hotel and per diem

    Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given

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Alerts for Los Angeles, California.

Our casting call standards

How casting works in Los Angeles

The breakdown system

The overwhelming majority of Los Angeles principal roles are distributed as breakdowns to agents and managers, who submit their clients electronically. Casting offices then request tapes from a shortlist. Open calls exist, but they are a minority path; representation is the standard mechanism for getting seen on studio and network projects.

Union norms in California

California is not a right-to-work state for entertainment in practice — most series, features and national commercials are SAG-AFTRA signatory, and once you are eligible, the union's rules limit non-union work. Many actors deliberately stay non-union longer to build credits on independent projects before joining, since the pool of union background work is heavily oversubscribed.

What local actors should know

Pilot season has flattened into year-round streaming production, so the old seasonal rhythm matters less than it did. What has not changed is the expectation of a fast, high-quality self-tape and a genuinely local address — productions here rarely fly anyone in for a co-star. Traffic is a scheduling factor casting offices assume you have already solved.

Commercials and hosting

The national commercial market is centred here and can be the most lucrative work an actor books, thanks to session fees plus usage. Commercial casting favours specific, castable types and quick improvisation, and it runs on a different set of offices from theatrical work.

Los Angeles casting FAQ

Do I need an agent to audition in Los Angeles?

For studio and network projects, effectively yes — those breakdowns are released to representation. Independent films, student projects, digital content and background work are still routinely cast from direct submissions, which is how most actors build the credits that get them signed.

Are there paid casting calls in Los Angeles?

Yes. SAG-AFTRA scale applies across studio film, television and national commercials, and non-union indie and digital work in the market usually pays something. Each notice below shows the compensation the production provided.

How do I find casting calls near me in Los Angeles?

Check this page for the live LA notices we hold, and create a free account so new postings reach you directly. Combine that with representation and a current, honest self-tape setup for the fullest coverage of the market.

What should I bring to an audition in Los Angeles?

Almost every first-round read is a self-tape, so what you 'bring' is the tape: framed at chest height, evenly lit, clean audio, and a slate that matches the office's instructions exactly. For a callback in the room, bring a printed headshot and résumé and wardrobe that suggests the character.

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