Inclusive Film Audition and Casting Calls: How to Write and Run Them

An inclusive casting call describes what a role needs for the story, opens the role to anyone who can play it, and makes it easy for every actor to apply and audition. In practice that means writing roles around character instead of default assumptions, saying clearly when a trait is essential, offering self-tape and accessibility options, and asking only what you need to know. It widens your talent pool and usually gets you better auditions.

What is an inclusive casting call?

An inclusive casting call is one that does not exclude actors for traits the story does not need. If a character's age, gender, ethnicity, body type, or disability matters to the plot, you say so plainly. If it does not, you leave it open. The goal is a call that reaches the widest group of actors who could play the part, and that treats every applicant with the same respect.

Many productions now write "open to all ethnicities" or "all genders considered" for roles where those traits are not part of the story. That works best when it is true, and when the rest of the call backs it up with clear, fair instructions.

How do you write an inclusive casting call?

Start from what the character does in the story, then add only the physical or identity traits the script requires. A simple structure:

1. Role name and story function. "Maya, lead. A night-shift nurse who starts investigating a patient's death."
2. Personality and arc. Two or three sentences on what she wants and how she changes.
3. Playing age as a range. "Playing age 30 to 45" is clearer and fairer than "must be 35".
4. Essential traits, with a reason. If the character is Deaf and the role uses ASL, say "Deaf actor, fluent in ASL", and say it is essential.
5. Open traits stated as open. "All ethnicities and body types encouraged to apply."
6. Sensitive content. Note nudity, intimacy, violence, or strong language up front, and whether an intimacy coordinator will be on set.
7. Dates, location and pay. Actors who are carers, students, or working other jobs need these to decide whether they can apply.
8. Accessibility. Say whether the audition venue and set are step-free, and invite actors to ask for adjustments.

Avoid language that describes a stereotype instead of a person, such as "exotic", "sassy best friend", or "urban type". Describe behavior and inner life. The more specific the character, the less you need shorthand. For help building that detail first, our guide on writing strong characters covers it.

Before and after example

Before: "Female, 25, pretty, slim, white. Girlfriend of the lead."

After: "Jess, supporting. Playing age 22 to 32, any gender, any ethnicity. Sharp, funny, and the only person who tells the lead the truth. Two shoot days."

The second version tells actors what the role needs and lets more of them see themselves in it.

The clip shows a casting call being written for a role and published for actors to apply.

How do you make self-tapes and auditions accessible?

Accessible auditions give actors more than one way to show their work and remove barriers that have nothing to do with acting. Self-tapes already help: actors who cannot travel, take time off work, or manage a crowded waiting room can still audition. A few choices make them fairer still:

• Keep tech demands low. Accept phone footage. Ask for clear sound and framing, not studio lighting.
• Send sides early. At least a few days ahead, and in an accessible format (a text file or large print on request) for actors using screen readers or with dyslexia.
• Keep sides short. One to two pages per role is enough to judge fit.
• Allow a self-reader or any reader. Not everyone has another actor at home.
• Give a realistic deadline. Three to five days is common; 24 hours excludes people with jobs or care duties.
• Offer adjustments in person. Step-free access, seating, extra time, an ASL interpreter, or a quiet space if asked.
• Caption your own materials. If you send a video brief, add captions.

For technical guidance you can share with actors, link them to our self-tape specs explainer.

The clip shows self-tapes arriving for a casting call and applicants being moved onto a shortlist.

In Lowerated, casting calls and self-tape review live in the same project as your script, so the whole team watches the same tapes and sees the same notes. That shared view helps when you want more than one person weighing in on each decision.

What should you avoid asking actors?

Ask only what you need to cast the role and run the shoot. In many places it is unlawful or inappropriate to ask about age, marital status, pregnancy, religion, health, or disability unless the role genuinely requires it, so check the rules where you are shooting. Some safe ground rules:

• Ask for playing range, not date of birth, unless you are casting a minor and need it for permits.
• Ask "do you need any adjustments to audition?" instead of asking about medical conditions.
• Do not ask for measurements or body photos unless wardrobe or the story needs them, and say why.
• Never ask for nudity in an audition. Discuss it only after an offer, with a written agreement.

How do you review auditions fairly?

Fair review means judging every actor on the same criteria, written down before you watch a single tape. Pick four or five things that matter for the role, such as truth in the scene, range, ability to take a note, and availability, and score each tape against them. Have at least two people review leads. If you notice your shortlist looks narrower than your applicant pool, go back and check why.

Send every applicant an answer, even a short one. Many actors never hear back, and a simple "we have gone another way" is part of running a respectful process. For more on how actors can prepare strong submissions, see how to stand out in casting calls.

FAQ

What does "open to all ethnicities" mean in a casting call?

It means the character's ethnicity is not fixed by the story, and the production will consider any actor who fits the rest of the description.

Can a casting call ask for a specific identity?

Yes, when the story requires it, such as a Deaf character who signs or a role rooted in a specific culture. State it clearly and explain that it is essential.

Are self-tapes more inclusive than in-person auditions?

Often yes, because they remove travel, time off work, and waiting rooms. Offer in-person options with adjustments for actors who prefer them.

How long should actors get to send a self-tape?

Three to five days is a common, fair window. Very short deadlines exclude actors with jobs or care responsibilities.

Key takeaways

• Describe what the character does and feels; add identity or physical traits only when the story needs them, and say why.
• Include dates, pay, sensitive content, and accessibility details so every actor can decide whether to apply.
• Accept simple self-tapes, send short sides early, and give a fair deadline.
• Ask only what you need, and score every audition against the same written criteria.