Creating a Bid with Casting in Mind
When you’re knee-deep in pulling together a production bid, talent costs can feel like a giant question mark. What’s a fair rate? Will this budget attract the caliber of talent your client expects? Is it enough for broadcast? Does the usage line up?
Take a breath. This is where we come in.
At Aura Casting, we help producers take the guesswork out of talent budgeting. Whether you’re building a bid for a commercial, branded content, or an indie film, we make sure your talent rates are realistic, competitive, and aligned with the project’s goals.
Why Talent Rates Matter (a lot)
Here’s the deal: lowballing talent doesn’t save money. It shrinks your options. It limits the type of performers who will say yes and can lead to last-minute scrambles that affect your timeline (and your stress levels).
On the flip side, rates that are too high for the project might turn off your client before you even get a green light. The sweet spot is what we help you find quickly and clearly.
Let’s Talk SAG-AFTRA
Working union? Non-union? Still figuring it out?
If you’re producing under a SAG-AFTRA contract, great. Those rates are set and standardized. We can help you navigate usage terms, session fees, and buyouts so you know exactly what you’re offering and why.
If you’re working non-union, things get a little more flexible but also more nuanced. We’ll talk you through what a certain budget realistically affords, what talent expects for the usage you need, and how to make it all work for your client.
Every Project is Different, and That’s the Point
We get it:
Some projects are social-only
Some run nationally for a year
Some are one-day shoots, others span weeks
Some actors are featured, some are background
We’ve seen it all, and we’ll help you shape a casting plan and budget that fits your exact situation.
Fast Answers When You Need Them
We know producers are often moving at light speed. If you need to respond to a client quickly or finalize a bid today, our team happy to hop on a quick call. We’ll help you understand certain talent rates, what they get you, what to adjust, and how to make sure your client is covered.
We’ll also provide our casting fee right up front so you can include it as a line item with no back-and-forth later.
Loop Us In Before You Hit Send
If you’re building a bid and talent is part of the equation, bring us in early. A 10-minute chat now can save hours or even days down the line.
Give your project the best chance of success by setting it up with the right talent, the right rate, and the right plan.
Contact us before you submit that next bid. We’d love to help.
