How to Get in Front of Decision-Makers—Every Month
The exact steps you need to take every month to make sure casting directors, producers, and industry power-players know who you are—and keep you in mind.
👋 Hey, I’m Christine. I’m an award-winning actress, industry consultant, and entertainment insider with decades of experience in global film, TV, and theater. My work has been featured by major networks like HBO, Disney, and Ubisoft, and I’ve built a career helping actors gain visibility, land roles, and position themselves for long-term success.
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The doors that matter rarely open by accident. Every actor knows they should “get in front of decision-makers,” but almost nobody tells you how to do it on purpose—or what that even means. Most rely on hope, random casting sites, or hustling connections that go nowhere.
Here’s the truth: real industry access is built through a repeatable system. The most successful actors, from “overnight” breakouts to quietly working pros, run plays that keep them visible to the right people all year—not just when they need something. They follow patterns, not luck.
This is your plan. Below, you’ll also find pro level tips for three stages: early career, mid-career, and working pro. I’m not giving you recycled advice you can Google. It’s loaded with specific tactics, and next-step homework to start now. Use this right, and you’ll never look at your calendar the same way again.
Who Actually Makes the Decisions—and Who Has the Real Power
If you’re only targeting casting directors, you’re missing most of the power in this business. Here’s who counts as a decision-maker for actors:
Investors & Financiers: Fund the project and have veto power. Their “yes” is often required before anyone else.
Producers (studio, indie, commercial, theater): Control the money, project, and final greenlight. If they say no, nothing moves forward.
Networks & Streaming Platforms: The ultimate authority on TV and most studio projects. They approve casting, sign off on deals, and can override any other choice.
Development Executives: Oversee and approve projects at studios, networks, and production companies. They can advance or shut down a project before it reaches casting.
Showrunners: On series, the showrunner (lead writer/producer) sets vision and has major input on casting—often the deciding voice after producers and networks.
Directors (TV, film, commercials): Guide creative vision and champion talent. Their casting choices often need producer or network approval, but on some projects—especially indie films or director-driven productions—they may have the final say. Authority varies by project.
Advertising Agencies (in-house or external): For commercials and branded content, agencies may have final say—only when they’re the top decision-maker, as in many ad jobs. They choose who books the job, sometimes using their own casting teams.
Writers (film/TV): May influence casting, especially if also creators or showrunners, but rarely have the final say.
Talent Buyers: Book talent for commercials, digital media, brand events, and non-traditional projects. Their authority is limited to their specific assignments.
Festival Programmers & Jurors: Decide which projects screen and win awards, which can open doors to casting and new career opportunities.
Gatekeepers and Connectors: The Ones Who Get You in the Room
Casting Directors and Associates: They are instrumental in the casting process, responsible for identifying and recommending suitable actors for various roles. They build the shortlist, champion actors, and make introductions, but rarely have the final say. Typically, final casting decisions are made by producers, directors, or networks. However, in certain situations—such as casting minor roles or one-liners—casting directors may be granted the authority to make final decisions, depending on the agreement with the producer and director.
Agents and Managers: Not decision-makers. They control access and push to get you in front of decision-makers, especially if they have strong industry relationships, but they don’t approve casting.
Reality: Casting directors can get you seen and champion your work, but the final casting approval almost always comes from the producer, investor, network, director, or (for commercials) the ad agency. The real “yes” comes from those with the budget and authority.
Each of these people has a different window for access and attention. If your name isn’t on their radar, you’re invisible—even if you have talent. Building relationships with both groups is critical: gatekeepers control access, but true decision-makers control your fate.
Side Note: Financial backers and grant officers also shape who gets hired—most actors ignore them, but these are the people who greenlight entire projects.
Why You Need a System—Not Just a Dream
Most actors waste years “hoping” they’ll be discovered. The ones who work consistently treat industry access like a business system, not a wish list. You don’t need to network with hundreds of people every month, but you do need a repeatable strategy—deliberate, ongoing, and visible.
The biggest mistake actors make is waiting until an audition or submission to appear on a decision-maker’s radar. The real game is building ‘quiet familiarity’—your name comes up enough to feel known, not needy. Patterns, not luck.