Casting a Real Family for Level Lock Pro with Tucker/Hess Productions
When it comes to casting, some projects stick with us at Aura.
Our recent work on the Level Lock Pro commercial with the amazing team at Tucker/Hess Productions is one of those. The final spot turned out sleek, elegant, and full of warmth, and a big part of that is thanks to the real family we cast to bring it to life.
Why Real Families Are So Tricky (and So Rewarding)
Casting a real family always takes extra effort. Unlike putting together a “family” from individual actors, real families live real lives. Parents have jobs, kids have school or sports, and coordinating everyone’s schedule can be a challenge. And of course, you cannot just swap out one parent for another actor if someone suddenly is not available. They are the full package as is.
But here is the magic: the chemistry is already there. Real families know how to behave with one another naturally. You do not have to manufacture connection, and that authenticity shines through on screen. On shoot day, this saves time and gives the production team something priceless. A real effortless connection.
Finding the Right Family
For this project, we received around 50 family submissions. From there, we narrowed it down and presented our top 12 to the client. To get those submissions, we cast a wide net: outreach to talent agencies, plenty of social media posts, and even personal encouragement to families who were not quite sure if they could pull off a self tape.
In the end, the family that booked had everything we were looking for: natural chemistry, a great look, and plenty of experience working together. Watching them interact, it was clear they were the perfect fit for the story the the creative team wanted to tell.
Working with Tucker/Hess Productions
We always love collaborating with Tara & her team! They know how to create an environment where both talent and crew can shine. This was our first time working together, but definitely not our last. We value this partnership deeply because their creativity and precision always make the end product stunning.
Travel to California
This was also a travel job, which added another layer of coordination. Making sure the family could commit to traveling for the shoot required extra planning, but it was worth every bit of effort. Seeing them in the final commercial, smiling and completely at ease, confirmed that we had cast the right family.
The Finished Spot
The finished Level Lock Pro commercial is a beauty. Crisp, memorable, and elevated by the family’s authenticity. Their bright smiles and natural warmth draw you in instantly. They do not just look like a family, they are one, and that makes all the difference.
What Producers Should Know About Real Family Casting
If you are a producer or director considering casting a real family, here is what you should know:
Pros: Real chemistry, natural interactions, and genuine connection that cannot be faked. You will likely save time on set since they already know how to move and react together.
Cons: Coordinating availability is harder than with individual actors, and the family is the package deal. It’s harder to swap someone else into the family unit.
Every project is different, and sometimes real families are the best choice while other times it is smarter to build a family from individual talent. That is where we come in. We will help you weigh the pros and cons and make the choice that is right for your project.
We are so proud of how this project came together and grateful to Tucker/Hess Productions for trusting us with the casting. Casting a real family is not always the easiest route, but when it works, it is powerful.
👉 Check out our commercials page to see more of our work.
