Toronto Casting Calls: How to Audition for Movies, TV Shows, Commercials, and More

Overview

Toronto is one of Canada’s largest film and television production hubs, creating opportunities for actors, background performers, models, stand-ins, photo doubles, voice actors, and specialty talent.

Productions filming in Toronto and across the Greater Toronto Area regularly look for performers for feature films, television series, streaming projects, commercials, independent films, music videos, and branded content.

Whether you are an experienced actor or just beginning your career, Toronto offers a wide range of opportunities to gain professional experience and build your résumé.

Toronto Casting Opportunities

Casting calls in Toronto can include opportunities for both union and non-union performers.

Common roles include:

• Principal actors
• Supporting actors
• Background actors
• Featured extras
• Stand-ins
• Photo doubles
• Models
• Voice actors
• Child actors
• Teen performers
• Seniors
• Dancers
• Musicians
• Athletes
• Specialty performers

Casting needs vary from production to production, so actors should regularly monitor new opportunities and apply for roles that match their age range, appearance, experience, skills, and availability.

Who Can Apply?

Toronto casting calls can be open to performers of all experience levels.

Some productions specifically seek experienced actors with professional credits, while others welcome newcomers for background work, commercials, student films, independent productions, and specialty roles.

You may be a strong candidate if you have:

• Acting or performance experience
• Professional headshots
• A current acting résumé
• Background acting experience
• Stand-in or photo double experience
• Strong self-tape skills
• Athletic abilities
• Dance or musical training
• Unique skills or talents
• Reliable transportation
• Flexible availability
• Professional on-set behaviour

Even if you are new to the industry, smaller productions and background roles can provide valuable experience working on a professional set.

How to Find Casting Calls in Toronto

The first step is making sure your casting profile is complete and current.

Step 1: Create or Update Your Project Casting Profile

Your profile should clearly show casting professionals who you are and what types of roles you may be suitable for.

Include:

• A recent headshot
• A current full-body photo
• Your playable age range
• Height and measurements
• Toronto or GTA location
• Acting experience
• Film and television credits
• Background acting experience
• Special skills
• Languages
• Accents
• Athletic abilities
• Union status, when applicable
• Current contact information
• Availability

Your photos should accurately represent how you look today.

Avoid heavily edited images, filters, sunglasses, hats, or group photos unless a casting notice specifically requests them.

Step 2: Search for Toronto Casting Calls

Once your profile is ready, regularly search for new opportunities.

Useful search terms include:

• Toronto casting calls
• Toronto acting auditions
• Ontario casting calls
• GTA casting calls
• Toronto background actors
• Toronto extras
• Toronto film auditions
• Toronto TV auditions
• Toronto commercial casting
• Toronto child actor auditions
• Toronto stand-in casting
• Toronto photo double casting
• Toronto modeling jobs
• Canada casting calls

Casting opportunities can appear quickly and may only accept submissions for a limited time.

Applying early can help ensure your profile is reviewed before casting closes.

Step 3: Read the Casting Notice Carefully

Every casting call has different requirements.

Before applying, confirm that you meet the production’s:

• Age range
• Location requirements
• Filming dates
• Availability requirements
• Appearance requirements
• Experience requirements
• Union status
• Special skill requirements

Do not apply simply because a production is filming in Toronto.

Casting teams receive large numbers of submissions, so applying only when you genuinely match the role can improve the quality of your applications.

Step 4: Submit the Right Materials

Casting directors may request different materials depending on the role.

You may need to submit:

• Headshots
• Current snapshots
• Full-body photos
• Acting résumé
• Demo reel
• Self-tape audition
• Slate video
• Contact information
• Height and measurements
• Clothing sizes
• Availability
• Special skills
• Work experience
• Driver’s licence information
• Vehicle information
• Union status

Always follow the casting instructions exactly.

If casting requests a specific photo, video format, subject line, or file name, make sure your submission matches those requirements.

Step 5: Prepare for Self-Tape Auditions

Self-tapes are an important part of modern casting.

Toronto actors should have a simple setup that allows them to submit auditions quickly.

A good self-tape setup includes:

• Clear lighting
• Clean audio
• A neutral background
• Stable camera placement
• Proper framing
• An off-camera reader when required
• Minimal distractions
• Natural performance choices

You do not need expensive equipment.

Casting directors primarily need to clearly see your face, hear your performance, and evaluate your acting choices.

Step 6: Be Professional If You Are Booked

Getting booked is only part of building a successful acting career.

Professionalism on set can affect whether casting teams consider you again.

Performers should be prepared to:

• Arrive on time
• Follow production instructions
• Bring required identification
• Maintain wardrobe continuity
• Stay attentive
• Avoid disrupting filming
• Respect cast and crew
• Remain available for the full booking period
• Respond promptly to production messages

Film and television days can be long, particularly for background performers.

Be prepared for early call times, waiting periods, repeated takes, and changing schedules.

Toronto Background Acting Opportunities

Background acting is one of the most common entry points into Toronto’s film and television industry.

Background performers help create realistic environments for scenes set in:

• Restaurants
• Offices
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Universities
• Airports
• Nightclubs
• Sporting events
• Neighborhoods
• Stores
• Courtrooms
• Streets
• Public transit
• Parties
• Concerts

Productions may also search for people with specific vehicles, uniforms, professional experience, athletic abilities, or unique appearances.

Background work can help new performers understand how professional sets operate before pursuing larger acting roles.

Stand-In and Photo Double Work

Toronto productions also regularly hire stand-ins and photo doubles.

Stand-ins

Stand-ins take an actor’s place while the camera, lighting, and technical departments prepare a scene.

Casting teams often look for someone who closely matches the actor’s:

• Height
• Build
• Hair colour
• Skin tone

Stand-ins may work multiple days or even throughout an entire production.

Photo Doubles

Photo doubles are used when a performer needs to resemble an actor for shots where the actor’s face is not clearly visible.

Matching characteristics may include:

• Height
• Weight
• Body type
• Hair
• Skin tone
• Clothing sizes
• Hand or foot size

Accurate measurements are especially important when applying for these roles.

Opportunities for Child and Teen Actors

Toronto is also a major market for young performers.

Children and teenagers may find opportunities in:

• Television series
• Feature films
• Commercials
• Streaming productions
• Voice-over projects
• Educational content
• Independent films
• Background roles

Parents or guardians should carefully review all casting requirements, filming dates, and production details before submitting a young performer.

Keeping current photos and accurate height measurements is especially important because children can change quickly.

Toronto Commercial Casting

Commercials can be another strong opportunity for Toronto performers.

Commercial casting may seek:

• Actors
• Models
• Families
• Couples
• Athletes
• Professionals
• Seniors
• Children
• Real groups of friends
• People with specific hobbies or occupations

Some commercial campaigns look for professional actors, while others specifically want people with little or no acting experience.

Always check the usage terms, compensation, dates, and exclusivity requirements listed in the casting notice.

Specialty Casting in Toronto

Not every casting opportunity requires traditional acting experience.

Productions frequently search for people with real-world abilities.

Specialty casting may include:

• Basketball players
• Hockey players
• Soccer players
• Swimmers
• Martial artists
• Dancers
• Musicians
• Singers
• Drivers
• Chefs
• Medical professionals
• Tradespeople
• Fitness professionals
• Skateboarders
• Cyclists
• Gymnasts
• People with unique vehicles

If you have a specialized skill, make sure it is clearly listed on your casting profile.

Real experience can sometimes make you more competitive for these roles than acting credits alone.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

Toronto is a competitive market, so strong preparation matters.

To improve your chances:

• Keep your headshots current
• Update your casting profile regularly
• Submit early
• Follow casting instructions carefully
• Be honest about your experience
• Include accurate measurements
• Develop strong self-tape skills
• List all relevant special skills
• Check your email and phone regularly
• Respond quickly to casting messages
• Keep your schedule updated
• Be professional on set
• Never exaggerate your availability

Casting professionals often remember performers who are reliable, responsive, and easy to work with.

Why Toronto Is a Great City for Actors

Toronto offers performers access to a wide variety of productions and career paths.

Actors can gain experience through major studio productions while also building their résumés with commercials, independent films, short films, voice-over work, and smaller productions.

The city also offers access to acting classes, casting workshops, talent agencies, film schools, theatres, and a large community of working actors and filmmakers.

For performers serious about building experience in film and television, Toronto provides opportunities at nearly every stage of a career.

Stay Updated on Toronto Casting Calls

Casting opportunities can open and close quickly.

Keeping your Project Casting profile current means you can apply immediately when a suitable opportunity becomes available.

Check regularly for:

• Toronto movie auditions
• Toronto TV casting calls
• Toronto commercial auditions
• Toronto background acting jobs
• Ontario casting calls
• GTA acting opportunities
• Child actor casting
• Stand-in jobs
• Photo double opportunities
• Voice-over auditions
• Modeling jobs
• Specialty casting calls

Having your photos, résumé, measurements, and self-tape setup ready can make the application process much easier.

Final Thoughts

Toronto continues to offer opportunities for actors, background performers, models, stand-ins, photo doubles, voice actors, and specialty talent.

Whether you are trying to land your first background role or pursuing professional speaking roles, preparation and consistency are essential.

Keep your Project Casting profile updated, use current photos, monitor new Toronto casting calls, and apply whenever an opportunity genuinely matches your look, skills, experience, and availability.

The next casting call could be the opportunity that helps you gain valuable set experience, build your résumé, and take the next step in your acting career.