Casting is one of the most vital and creative areas in the production of drama - and yet the craft and skills needed to put together a successful and exciting cast are often overlooked and ignored. The Casting Handbookexplains the casting process from beginning to end and covers everything a producer or director needs to know, such as: how a casting director contributes to the initial development of the script; the difference between casting no-budgets and blockbusters films; how to prepare a script breakdown; how to source actors; how to prepare for a casting session; how casting decisions are made; how a cast is put together; how deals are done; the first read-through; ethics and the law, with special reference to casting children. The Casting Handbook considers the actors', producers' and directors' relationship with a casting director, the day to day work that is casting, what makes 'good casting' and the difference it makes to the final product. Including interviews with actors, agents, directors and producers; case studies; exercises; and a fact file of useful letters and addresses, this book offers a complete introduction to the casting process suitable for students or those just starting out in film, TV or theatre.