Self-submitting means sending your own profile to a role that casting has released to actors, mostly through Actors Access and Casting Networks in the US. Choose roles you genuinely fit, attach the headshot and clip that tell that character's story, add a one-line note only when it helps, and submit the day the role posts. We asked 18 casting directors whether unrepresented actors can submit to their projects. None said no: ten said yes readily, and eight said it depends on the project or is harder.
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Kym Jackson explains it by comparing two things. A submission is a click that drops your headshot into the pile for a role, often 800 to 2,000 submissions deep. A pitch is when someone calls or emails casting to say "you have to see this actor". When you self-submit, you make that click yourself.
You can only self-submit to roles casting chooses to release to actors. Many professional roles go only to agents and managers, as our page on Breakdown Services explains. The ones released to actors tend to be student and short films, web series, low budget features, some commercials and roles needing an unusual skill.
Yes, more than you might think. Of the 18 casting directors we asked, ten said yes readily. Rachel Sutton said some of her best finds are unrepresented actors, Ricki Maslar always releases her projects on Actors Access, and Meg Morman said releasing a role there means she wants anyone who thinks they're right for it. Scot Boland called it a great way to meet new people.
The other eight said it depends. Josh Einsohn opens roles to actors when reps aren't finding the right people. Kerry Barden goes through agent submissions first, then Actors Access. For Victoria Burrows, Bonnie Zane and Lisa Beach it depends on the project.
Kym's rule of thumb: each country has about two professional sites that agents use and that also let actors submit themselves. Choose the two or three strongest where you live and can legally work. In the US, start with Actors Access; Casting Networks is strong for commercials. Our casting sites guide compares them, and how to use Actors Access walks through each step.
Be wary of open listings anyone can post. Kym tried a handful of roles on IMDb's casting listings and found the projects green or unfunded, and a few felt creepy.
Only the ones you genuinely fit. Ricki Maslar said she rarely changes a role's parameters, so a 45 year old man submitting for a teenage girl won't get in, and it annoys her more than anything. Blair Hickey and Brian Wold of CastingAbout see the same mistake: actors submitting for roles they are clearly wrong for just to be noticed. It's noticed, but as a bad impression.
Read the whole breakdown. The best matches are often the specific ones: a language, a sport, an instrument, an unusual look. Bonnie Zane gave the example of searching widely for a Polish-speaking woman.
The ones that tell the story of this role. Blair Hickey and Brian Wold said the best submissions tell casting "I am the answer to this role". Pick the headshot that matches the character, a SlateShot with the same tone, and one short clip of you playing something similar. A long reel or every clip you own doesn't help.
No clip that fits? Kym says a strong self tape of a similar character works. Casting cares about finding a great actor, not whether the footage aired.
Only if it helps casting fill the role. Blair Hickey and Brian Wold call it parroting: if the breakdown asks for a guitar player, your note says "Plays guitar." Other useful notes are that you've met the casting director, or a recent booking in a similar tone. Keep it to one line, and skip "Dear casting director, please consider me". Templates are in our actor cover letters guide.
Fast. The Actors Access submission guide says casting often finds the actors it needs on the first day, so submit the day a role posts. Set up role alerts so you see matches quickly.
Then expect volume. Kym estimates it can take 30 to 150 submissions to land one audition when casting doesn't know you yet, because offices can receive around 2,000 submissions per role. Keep submitting to every role you genuinely fit.
Be specific, not loud. Blair Hickey and Brian Wold said headshots that try too hard, all-caps notes and wacky SlateShots read as desperate; understated, professional profiles stand out.
When a role is perfect for you, Kym adds one more step: a short, genuine message to the filmmaker saying you've submitted and why the role excites you, with a link to your profile. Casting director Risa Bramon Garcia added the guardrail: reach out as a fellow artist, not a needy one, and don't drop your reel into a stranger's DMs.
Often it's relationships, not your profile. Blair Hickey and Brian Wold told us one casting office said 75 to 80 percent of the actors it brings in are people it already knows.
Casting finds new people in other ways too: Kerry Barden goes to theatre and comedy shows, and David Newman often sees actors who heard about a role from friends or read on a friend's self tape. Rachel Sutton also encourages actors who are training to get an agent. See how to get an acting agent.
On some sites, to submit with your full profile. As of November 2026, the Actors Access memberships page says a free account submits your name and resume to roles released to actors, and Actors Access Plus ($68 a year or $9.99 a month) sends your full profile and media.
Paying to submit is not paying to audition. Kerry Barden was clear that no casting director will charge you to audition. If anyone does, walk away.
It means submitting your own profile to a role casting has released to actors on a casting site, instead of an agent or manager submitting you.
Many do. Of the 18 casting directors we asked, ten said yes readily and eight said it depends on the project. None said no.
Mostly on the two or three main casting sites where they live. In the US that usually means Actors Access, plus Casting Networks for commercials.
Only if it helps casting: a skill the role needs, a past meeting with that casting director, or a recent similar booking. Keep it to one line.
Kym estimates 30 to 150 submissions per audition for actors casting doesn't know yet, because roles can draw around 2,000 submissions.
Every submission is aiming at one thing: the audition. Our free guide helps you make the most of the room when you get there.
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