Casting Director

The Casting Director is the named individual responsible for matching roles in a production to actors. Engaged from development through to first day of shoot (and sometimes through additional photography). On larger productions a Casting Director carries a team — Casting Associate, Casting Assistant, etc.

Cross-company role

Casting Directors typically work freelance across many producer-clients. A busy Irish Casting Director may carry 8-12 productions per year across different production companies, with overlapping prep periods and audition schedules.

Responsibilities

• Read the script + breakdown the roles
• Draft the casting breakdown (character × age × type × notes)
• Issue casting calls and source candidates (often through agents)
• Schedule auditions (in-person + self-tape)
• Shortlist for director + producer approval
• Negotiate offers + close deals
• Coordinate fittings / camera tests / read-throughs

Career progression

Casting sits outside the SI Competency Framework's 17 below-the-line departments. Typical path: Casting Assistant → Casting Associate → Casting Director — usually the terminal casting role (some move into producing or set up their own casting agency).

On S481 productions specifically

• Cast tax residency matters for the Cultural Test (Section 481) — Irish + EEA residents score
• Child performance licences required for any cast member under 16 — Casting Director typically the one who initiates the licence process
• Garda Vetting required for crew working with minors — flag this to the producer at the point of casting children

In Togra

/casting-hub.php is the cross-company hub for the Casting Director. Per-card metrics: roles cast vs total, offers out, upcoming auditions (14 days), child licences outstanding, Garda vetting outstanding.