Casting Calls in Atlanta: How to Find Real Opportunities in Georgia’s Film Hub
Atlanta has become one of the busiest film and TV production centers in the country. If you’re looking for casting calls in Atlanta, you’re in the right city. From major studio movies shooting at Trilith or Tyler Perry Studios to indie films, commercials, and reality shows, there are constant opportunities for actors, models, and background talent.
This guide walks you through how casting works in Atlanta, where to find legit casting calls, and how to safely and professionally get started or move to the next level.
How Casting Works in Atlanta’s Film & TV Scene
Atlanta’s casting ecosystem is a mix of:
- Casting directors and casting offices (who work directly with productions)
- Talent agencies (who represent actors and submit them to casting)
- Background/extra casting companies
- Production companies and studios (who sometimes post their own calls)
Most real work in Atlanta falls into a few buckets:
- Principal roles (speaking roles in film, TV, commercials)
- Co-star / guest star roles (episodic TV and streaming)
- Commercial and industrial work (ads, corporate videos)
- Background / extras (non-speaking roles)
- Reality / unscripted / live events
Understanding what type of work you’re seeking helps you target the right casting calls.
Where to Find Casting Calls in Atlanta
You’ll see “Casting Calls Atlanta” results everywhere online, but not all are reliable or Atlanta-specific. Focus on sources commonly used in the local industry.
1. Atlanta Casting Directors & Background Casting Offices
Many Atlanta-based casting offices consistently handle major projects. They usually:
- Post background roles on social media or their websites
- Work with agents or breakdown services for speaking roles
- Request very specific info (age range, sizes, location, photos)
Look for:
- Background casting companies that post for feature films, TV series, and commercials shooting in and around Atlanta
- Offices that clearly list:
- The project name or code name
- Work dates and location (e.g., Atlanta, Fayetteville, Conyers, Stone Mountain)
- Whether it’s paid and approximate rate
- Exact submission instructions (usually via email with specific subject lines)
Legit offices in Atlanta do not ask background talent to pay to be considered.
2. Talent Agencies in Atlanta
If you’re serious about speaking roles or commercial work, Atlanta-based talent agencies are a primary path. Agencies:
- Submit you to casting calls you won’t see publicly
- Help you with headshots, resumes, and self-tape standards
- Often require auditions or evaluations to sign you
Common patterns with credible Atlanta agencies:
- They do not charge upfront fees for representation
- They may recommend photographers or classes but never require you to purchase a package from them
- They earn a commission from your booked jobs, not from “registration fees”
Typical materials they’ll ask for:
- Headshot (professional if possible)
- Acting resume
- Reel or sample of your work (if you have one)
- Self-tape audition for their evaluation
If you’re new, it’s normal to start with student films, indie projects, or background work while building your materials.
3. Local Atlanta Casting Boards & Community Spaces
Locally focused casting calls often pop up in:
- Community theater websites and social media pages
- Atlanta acting schools, improv theaters, and film programs
- Bulletin boards at arts centers and colleges around:
- Midtown
- Downtown
- Decatur
- Sandy Springs
These can include:
- Short films from Georgia State University, SCAD Atlanta, and other schools
- Fringe and community theater productions
- Micro-budget indie films filming in the Atlanta metro area
These projects may pay modestly (or not at all), but they can help you gain experience, footage, and practice auditioning.
4. Open Calls at Theaters & Art Centers
Atlanta’s theater and arts scene also posts casting calls, often publicly:
- Alliance Theatre (Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309)
- Horizon Theatre Company (1083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307)
- Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville
- Dad’s Garage Theatre Company (improv and scripted shows)
These theaters may hold:
- Season general auditions
- Show-specific auditions
- Youth or teen program auditions
Even if your goal is film/TV, stage work in Atlanta can strengthen your resume and network.
Atlanta Casting Calls for Different Experience Levels
If You’re a Beginner
Atlanta is beginner-friendly, especially for background work. Good first steps:
Sign up for background casting calls
- Follow Atlanta-based casting offices that book extras regularly.
- Be honest about your availability and distance from common filming locations like:
- Downtown / Midtown Atlanta
- Trilith Studios area (Fayetteville)
- Tyler Perry Studios (southwest Atlanta)
- Conyers / Covington / Loganville (popular for “small town” looks)
Build simple, clean photos
- Clear, natural photos against a plain background
- One close-up, one full-body
- No heavy filters, sunglasses, or group photos
Take an intro acting or on-camera class
- Many Atlanta studios offer starter-level courses for adults and teens.
Work on set etiquette
- Arrive early
- Follow directions from ADs and PAs
- Keep phones off or silent on set
- Respect confidentiality (no unauthorized recording or posting)
If You’re Intermediate or Experienced
For actors with some training or credits:
- Pursue agency representation for principal roles
- Keep a professional self-tape setup at home, as many Atlanta auditions are virtual
- Aim for:
- Regional commercials
- Co-star roles on TV series that shoot locally
- Supporting roles in indie features
Agents and casting directors in Atlanta pay a lot of attention to:
- Reliability (showing up prepared, on time, and easy to direct)
- Self-tape quality (clear audio, good framing, strong choices)
- Training (credible classes or coaches, stage work, or on-camera experience)
Typical Types of Casting Calls You’ll See in Atlanta
Here’s a quick snapshot of what you might encounter:
| Type of Casting Call | Where It’s Posted | Common Pay Structure | Who It’s Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background / Extras | Casting offices, social media | Flat daily rate | Beginners, people exploring the industry |
| Principal Film/TV | Through agents, breakdown services | Union or non-union rates | Trained actors with strong materials |
| Commercials | Agencies, sometimes open calls | Hourly or session + usage | On-camera, improv, or voiceover talent |
| Theater Auditions | Theater websites, arts centers | Stipend or contract | Stage actors, musical theater performers |
| Student/Indie Films | Film schools, community boards | Low/no pay, credit, copy | People building reels and experience |
| Reality/Unscripted | Production company calls, social | Varies widely | Personalities, specialists, unique skills |
How to Tell If an Atlanta Casting Call Is Legit
Because “Casting Calls Atlanta” is a popular search, scams and questionable offers are common. Use these checks:
✅ Signs of a Legitimate Casting Call
- Lists a specific project (or a recognizable code name)
- Clearly states:
- Location (metro Atlanta, nearby city, or studio)
- Dates or timeframe
- Type of role (background, principal, commercial, etc.)
- Compensation (paid or unpaid, even if approximate)
- Uses a professional email address (often tied to a casting or production company name)
- Gives very clear submission instructions (subject line, info needed, photos requested)
🚩 Red Flags to Avoid
- Requests for:
- Upfront fees to be considered or “registered”
- Payment to receive “casting lists”
- Money for guaranteed work
- Vague details:
- No project name
- No dates
- No mention of pay or location
- Pressure tactics:
- “Only today – send money now!”
- Threats that you’ll “miss your big break” if you don’t buy something
- In-person meetings in non-professional spaces where:
- They push expensive photo or class packages
- They avoid answering questions about actual productions they work with
In Atlanta’s professional casting community, you should not pay to audition or to be submitted for real productions.
How to Submit Properly to Atlanta Casting Calls
When responding to casting calls in Atlanta, follow instructions closely. Many offices get hundreds or thousands of submissions.
General best practices:
- Subject line: Match exactly what they request (e.g., “AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE – 30s – CAR OWNER”)
- Body text:
- Legal name
- Age (or age range if they ask)
- Height, weight, and sizes (especially for wardrobe-specific roles)
- City you live in (e.g., “Atlanta, GA” or “Marietta, GA”)
- Phone number and email
- Reliable transportation availability
- Photos:
- Recent, accurate, no heavy filters
- Follow what they ask: sometimes they want full body, front and side, or specific looks
- Attach as JPEGs unless otherwise specified
For self-tape auditions:
- Use a simple, neutral background
- Ensure clear lighting (face fully visible)
- Keep audio clean and loud enough
- Label the file as requested (often: FirstNameLastName_RoleName)
Union vs. Non-Union in Atlanta Casting Calls
Atlanta hosts both union and non-union productions.
- SAG-AFTRA (the main performers’ union) covers many large film, TV, and commercial projects here.
- Background actors may see some calls labeled:
- “Union background” (for SAG-AFTRA members)
- “Non-union background”
- “Union and non-union” (both may apply)
If you’re not in the union:
- You can still work many non-union and some mixed projects.
- If you’re curious about joining, you can contact:
- SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local
3378 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 375
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404-239-0131
- SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local
Union membership decisions can affect which casting calls you’re eligible for, so read each listing carefully.
How Atlanta Locations Affect Casting Calls
Metro Atlanta productions rarely shoot only “in town.” Being flexible about locations helps:
Central Atlanta / Midtown / Downtown:
Office buildings, city streets, courts, government buildings, modern apartments.Fayetteville / Peachtree City (Trilith Studios area):
Studio lots, large sets, sound stages.
Good to plan extra travel time from central Atlanta.Southwest Atlanta (Tyler Perry Studios):
Also studio environments and large backlot sets.Conyers, Covington, Stone Mountain, Douglasville, and beyond:
Small-town looks, rural, suburban neighborhoods, historic districts.
Casting calls may specify:
- “Must work as a local hire to Atlanta” (no travel or housing covered)
- “Comfortable driving to Fayetteville / Conyers / Covington,” etc.
If you live in the metro area, mentioning that you’re Atlanta-based with reliable transportation can be helpful.
Preparing for Atlanta Casting Calls: Practical Tips
A few small steps can make you stand out in a busy market.
Build Basic Materials
- Headshots:
- Clean, natural, focus on your face
- Solid-colored top, minimal distractions
- Resume:
- List film/TV/theater/voiceover work, training, special skills
- Include your contact info and general Atlanta area
Take Advantage of Local Training
Atlanta has many:
- On-camera classes
- Improv schools
- Scene study and audition workshops
- Youth/teen acting programs
Working consistently with a local coach or studio can help you quickly get “Atlanta-standard” self-tapes and audition etiquette.
Stay Organized
Create a simple system to track:
- What casting calls you submitted to
- Dates and roles
- Whether you got a response or booking
- Notes about what went well or what to adjust
This helps you see patterns and improve over time.
Key Takeaways for Casting Calls in Atlanta
- Atlanta is a major production hub, with frequent casting calls for film, TV, streaming, commercials, theater, and more.
- Background work is often the easiest entry point for beginners.
- For speaking roles, representation with a credible Atlanta agency is often essential.
- Legit Atlanta casting calls:
- Never require you to pay just to be considered
- Clearly describe the project, role, location, and pay/terms
- Pay close attention to submission instructions, locations, and dates so you can reliably show up if booked.
- Building experience through student films, indie projects, and local theater in Atlanta can help you grow into larger opportunities.
If you live in or around Atlanta and are proactive, organized, and cautious about where you submit, you can plug into one of the most active casting markets in the country right from the city.