About San Diego
San Diego is a beautiful city on the west coast of the United States that boasts some of the most stunning natural surroundings, great weather year-round, and an amazing local culture. With its sunny skies and temperate climate, San Diego is a perfect place for outdoor activities such as exploring the rolling green hills of Balboa Park or soaking up the sun on one of San Diego's many pristine beaches. Additionally, there is no shortage of fun things to do in this iconic California city, from visiting its vibrant museum district to dining at one of San Diego's famous seafood restaurants.
What truly sets apart San Diego though is its thriving arts scene. It has been growing rapidly over the past several years with new galleries, performance spaces, and cultural institutions popping up all around town. San Diego is also home to many aspiring actors and actresses who are always on the lookout for new acting opportunities.
If you’re a casting director of a big production or a producer of a small indie project, there are plenty of spaces in San Diego where you can arrange your casting session. Who knows, you might just get the perfect actor from this city!
Casting Options in San Diego
- Video Equipment
Have a piece of video equipment ready so you can record the auditions and get back to them later on for review. It will also come in handy so you can see firsthand how the candidate looks on camera and if they are a perfect fit for the role you’re casting for. Another thing to consider adding is lighting so you can simulate the lighting conditions of an actual shoot.
- Furniture
A casting space must have basic furniture to keep everyone comfortable. Tables, chairs, and lounges are enough to make the room look cozy and accommodate auditionees who are waiting for their turn.
- Catering
If you’re going to have an entire crew present during the casting call, then it’s good to have catering present. This ensures that your team will be fueled throughout the day, especially if the auditions will last several hours. Catering options that would be ideal for this situation are boxed lunches, plated meals, a buffet, afternoon snacks, and coffee.
Casting Vendors in San Diego
- The Coffee Cart San Diego
Established in 2019, The Coffee Cart San Diego is a mobile espresso bar that specializes in serving espresso drinks at private and corporate events. Using their own private-label artisan coffee, the professional baristas can provide you and your crew with delicious, handcrafted espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, and all the other coffee drinks you love.
- San Diego Film Equipment
Trevor Elliott and Josh Oliver established San Diego Film Equipment in 2010 to support the growing film and production industries in San Diego by providing the equipment and tools to get the job done. They have the largest local inventory of Sony, Arri, and Red cameras and lenses by Canon, Zeiss, and many more.
- Business Office Outfitters
If your chosen venue is a blank canvas, you will need to outfit it with a few furniture items such as chairs, tables, and sofas for your casting call. This is where Business Office Outfitters comes in. Established in 1958, BOO has been outfitting San Diego offices with high-quality new and pre-owned office furniture for decades. With their flexible rental plans and premium customer service, you won’t be disappointed.
Pros and Cons of Castings in San Diego
Casting can be a great option for both small and big production companies to hire local talent for their film and theater productions. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of castings before making a decision. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Advantages
- San Diego is a vibrant and entertaining city that offers plenty of opportunities for those who are looking to take part in castings.
- It offers a wide range of shooting locations that can be tailored to meet the unique needs and vision of directors, producers, casting directors, or photographers.
- Many talented actors and actresses are located in the area and looking to land acting roles.
Disadvantages
- The competition among actors can be fierce due to the large talent pool in the area. Many actors may have similar skill sets or qualifications as one another.
- Traffic congestion can make travel times unpredictable during certain hours of the day. This could potentially cause delays in casting times.
- Depending on the time of year, summer months may bring too much heat that could make filming uncomfortable or even create technical issues with lighting equipment if not addressed properly beforehand.
Tips on How to Organize Castings in San Diego
There are a few key strategies that can help you to successfully organize castings in San Diego.
- First, plan and keep a schedule for when you will be doing casting work. Often, simply blocking off time on your calendar is enough to ensure that you're able to get the job done without rushing or multitasking.
- Second, get the word out early. This gives actors and actresses the chance to prepare for the role they’re auditioning for.
- Third, choose a suitable location. A roomy office space, conference room, or theater will do well as long as it has a bathroom and a holding area for those waiting for their turn. Never hold a casting call in your home or any residential space as you will risk looking unprofessional or even creepy.
- Fourth, prepare your list of character breakdowns. Depending on how many details you’ll want to disclose, a character breakdown usually consists of the character’s age, gender, and short biographical description. This will give the actors an idea of the characters they would like to audition for so they can prepare ahead.
- Fifth, treat your audition like a real shoot. This means you should have a camera, lighting, and a camera operator ready. This way, you can simulate the scene of the production and determine whether or not the actor will be a good fit for the actual shoot.
- And finally, don't be afraid to ask for help from your producer/director if you ever get stuck with choosing the best performer for the role!
With these simple tips, organizing casting events in San Diego should be a breeze!
Famous Locations in San Diego
- Space Invaders
Since its inception in 2010, the exhibition "Viva la Revolucion" has captured the imaginations of street art enthusiasts and gamers alike. Featuring the works of acclaimed artists like Shepard Fairey and Invader, the exhibition showcased some of the most innovative urban art of its time. One of Invader's key contributions to the show was a series of Space Invaders-themed mosaic tiles designed to adorn downtown buildings. These vibrant murals quickly became a hit with hip street art fans and dedicated treasure hunters alike, as they offered an exciting new way to experience the city. Many of these tiles can still be found today in their original locations around downtown San Diego.
- Pearl of the Pacific
The Pearl of the Pacific is a stunning, eye-catching architectural masterpiece. Nestled right in the heart of Shoreline Park, this pearl-shaped fountain is a beautiful artistic tribute to unity and international friendship. Designed by architects from Mexico, China, Russia, and the US working together with prominent artists and members of the local community, this monument blends symbols from all four countries into one beautiful whole. The fountain itself is made from gleaming white concrete, with intricately designed Chinese fan-like gates along its sides. Surrounding it are graceful Russian lace-like elements that draw visitors near to take in the full splendor of this magnificent piece. But perhaps its most striking feature is the colorful mosaic that encompasses it entirely on all sides.
- Balboa Park Moreton Bay Fig Tree
Standing before this mighty tree, you can't help but feel small in comparison. This enormous plant has been a beloved fixture in the park for more than a century, having been planted more than 100 years ago to prepare for the Panama-California Exposition of 1915. The Moreton Bay fig tree is an iconic part of the San Diego landscape, and it is no wonder why—with its massive size and dense foliage, it captivates all who gaze upon it. The Moreton Bay fig tree is known for its long life expectancy—it can survive for over 150 years—and its rapid growth rate, which allows it to grow at a rate of one foot per year.
