Finding the Perfect Family: Casting for Ashley Furniture with OMA Creative
There’s something really special about working with a team that just gets it.
This Ashley Furniture commercial with OMA Creative marked the third time that Aura Casting has collaborated with this client and production team, and every experience with them has been a dream. From the first conversation to final delivery, the process feels effortless. Everyone shows up prepared, creative ideas flow easily, and there’s a shared understanding of what we’re trying to achieve. That kind of collaboration is rare, and we don’t take it for granted.
For this project, we were asked to find a real family to bring a sense of warmth, joy, and authenticity to the screen. Real family casting is one of those challenges that looks simple on paper but can get tricky in practice. You’re not just looking for four talented individuals who fit a brief. You’re looking for an actual family unit that feels genuine, interacts naturally, and can handle being on camera with ease. It’s a tall order, especially when the creative calls for specific family dynamics and a level of comfort that only comes from genuine connection.
Once we received the brief, we hit the ground running. Their production team gave us a clear direction for the look and feel they wanted, along with tone references that helped us visualize the end product. Having that kind of clarity upfront is invaluable. It allows us to cast strategically from day one instead of guessing what might work.
We started our outreach immediately, tapping into both our established network and new sources to find the right mix of talent. We reached out to agencies that specialize in families, a variety of locales and social media groups where real families often respond to casting opportunities. We also shared the breakdown across our own channels to capture any hidden gems in our extended community. When we’re looking for real families, we always like to mix traditional and grassroots outreach. Sometimes the perfect fit doesn’t come from a headshot on a roster but from a family that just happens to be great together on camera.
The response was incredible. We received more than 130 submissions, each from families eager to take part in the project. That kind of turnout is exciting, but it also means there’s a lot of careful reviewing ahead. Every family submitted self tape auditions showing how they interacted together, often performing short scenes inspired by the script. This stage is where we get to see personalities shine. You can instantly tell when a family feels relaxed around each other. The laughter, the inside jokes, the small gestures between takes. All the little moments matter.
We watched every submission, taking detailed notes on chemistry, confidence, and natural energy. We weren’t just evaluating who looked great on camera. We were looking for those intangible moments that make a family feel real. When a kid looks up at a parent mid-line, or when a parent gives an encouraging smile without breaking character, those details bring an authenticity you can’t fake.
After several rounds of review, we narrowed the field to our top 20 families. We knew this group reflected the range and tone the client had envisioned, and we were confident the final choice would come from this group. We shared our selections for review, providing our notes and recommendations along the way.
Working with this production team always feels collaborative. They trust our instincts, and we trust their creative vision. That mutual respect keeps the process efficient and positive. Instead of endless back and forth, it’s a focused conversation about what feels most natural for the story. When both casting and production are aligned, great things happen quickly.
Once the final family was selected, everything moved smoothly into the shoot phase. From the first day on set, it was clear we’d found the right fit. The parents were calm and comfortable, the kids were charming and at ease, and the chemistry between them was effortless. The family brought exactly the warmth and realness that the client envisioned from the start.
When we finally saw the finished commercial, we couldn’t stop smiling. The spot captured everything we’d hoped for! A believable family enjoying everyday moments in a space that felt welcoming and real. The direction, cinematography, and performances all came together beautifully. It’s one of those projects where you can feel the heart behind it, and that always starts with great collaboration.
Casting a real family might be more complex than a typical spot, but the payoff is worth it every time. It’s not about perfection. It’s about connection. When a viewer sees a real family laughing together, it hits differently than when actors are simply playing a role. That’s why we love these projects. They remind us that great casting isn’t just about who’s in front of the camera. It’s about capturing genuine emotion that feels relatable to everyone watching.
Looking back, this project was a great reminder of why we love what we do. It took coordination, communication, and a shared creative vision. When everyone is aligned, the process feels easy. We’re so thankful for the families who submitted. Every project teaches us something new about how people connect on camera, and this one reaffirmed that authenticity will always stand out.
If you haven’t seen the finished spot yet, give it a watch! It’s a perfect example of what happens when a real family and a great creative team come together to tell a story that feels true.
You can view it, along with other commercials we’ve cast, on our Commercials page.
Ready to start casting your next project? Reach out today!
