Working in Commercials: Part 4. The Recall

If you've been booked from your self-tape for a recall, that's amazing! Well done! Getting a recall in commercial casting is a fantastic achievement! The Casting Director has watched a lot of tapes and they want to see more of you. So now is not the time to second guess what you did. It's time to do it again, but now in person!

What Is a Recall?

A recall is a second audition and it means they can potentially see you in the role based on what you gave to the character in your selftape.

Recalls normally take place at a casting studio, most commonly in London or Manchester, and this is your opportunity to get in the room in front of the Casting Director, the Director, and sometimes the client too. Sometimes you are given the option to do the recall via Zoom, it is possible to book a job this way, but the odds are more in your favour if you meet in person, especially if you are being matched with other actors.

There will also be a camera in the room along with the creative team. Remember that the footage will be reviewed and shared afterwards to lock in final decisions, so be aware of where the camera is when you are performing. You are not just performing for the people in the room, so make sure you stand on the mark (if there is one) and position yourself and play the action so you can be seen by both.

Recall Fees

A fee is usually payable for recalls (in-person or virtual). As covered in Part 1, the Equity guidance for this is £50. If you are unrepresented, make sure you confirm this before you go and invoice for it afterwards.

What to Expect

When you receive your recall information, read it carefully. Check the location, the time, and whether there is anything additional they want you to prepare. If the script includes a small prop like a pen or tape measure, bring it with you. They may not supply one and having it will help you ground the performance.

Give yourself enough time to get there so you arrive calm. Rushing into a recall is not a great headspace to perform from, especially if you are travelling into a city you don't know well.

Recalls can be nerve-wracking (and also exciting), but remember they already like you and the purpose is to see how you will fit in the bigger picture and how you take direction.

Without doubt, one of the weirdest elements of a recall is that you will likely be waiting to go into the room with people who look just like you. Although quite odd, this part can be a lot of fun and don't be scared to have a chat with other actors, or do any prep that you need to! You are all in the same boat and it pays to build a rapport with people early on as you may be paired with a scene partner who is waiting with you. Sometimes there is additional information like storyboards on the walls. Take it all in!

If you are paired with somebody, bring what you did for the self-tape, but stay open to what your scene partner gives you and make sure you are genuinely connected and responsive to the action.

You will almost certainly be given direction by the director after your first run, so listen carefully and adapt. Commercial recalls are fast turnaround and that reflects the shoot itself. The director wants to see how quickly you can take a note and make it work.

I personally love recalls, meeting the team, other actors and getting to work on the material even if it's just for a snapshot.

Remember, everyone is on your side and wants you to be the person they cast, the perfect piece of the puzzle.

After the Recall

You will usually find out fairly quickly whether they want to book you. The production needs to get contracts and logistics sorted, so decisions tend to move fast!

Don't feel downhearted if you don't book the job. Casting decisions can be based on so many different elements: what you look like, who else they cast, chemistry, the list goes on, and there are so many moving parts! It can feel like a lottery sometimes, where everything needs to fall into place around you. You cannot control most of the decision drivers, all you can do is bring your best self and enjoy the process.

In Part 5 we look at what happens when you get the call and you've been booked!