THE CHICAGO CINEMA COLLECTIVE
  • About
  • RESOURCES
  • Map
  • The Work
  • Contact
TALENT RESOURCES
One of the greatest assets of Chicago is our access to some of the best actors in the country. As such, it seemed fitting to devote a separate page to the different subcategories of talent resources, both for actors and filmmakers alike.
Picture

SAG-AFTRA Chicago

SAG-AFTRA Chicago is extremely easy to work with and capable of helping you with your production. Their website provides a myriad of useful informations and contracts as well as different ways to get involved. Working with union actors shouldn't be seen as impossible and may even make or break your production. SAG-AFTRA also collaborates with IFP Chicago for a table read series for screenwriters, which is a good way to connect.

Casting Directors

If your production is fortunate enough to afford a casting director, here are some of the most well-known in the city. It is worth comparing each to see which is best for your production both in terms of budget and finding the right people. Like all things, casting is a collaboration and can serve as the most important part of directing.
  • Paskal Rudnicke Casting
  • Compass Casting
  • Marisa Ross Casting
  • O'Connor Casting
  • Simon Casting

Finding Talent

In full honesty, I have difficulty endorsing any of the following outlets as I have not personally used any of them (more often than not, I cast through referrals from other actors or agents). That said, these are a good starting point if you lack those connections. Ultimately, if you're having trouble finding finding actors in this city, you're not trying hard enough. There are a million of them.
  • Actors Access
  • CastingNetworks
  • Chicago SAG Franchised Agents
  • Casting in Chicago Facebook Group
  • Annoyance Theater (will post auditions to their newsletter)

Talent Agencies

These are some of the most well-known talent agencies in the city. Similarly to working with SAG-AFTRA, filmmakers shouldn't be intimidated by actors with representation. Ultimately, agents are just concerned about how their clients are treated and compensated, which is a concern filmmakers should also share.
  • Stewart Talent
  • Grey Talent Group
  • Paonessa Talent
  • Shirley Hamilton Talent



​
A curated and candid interpretation of the resources and opportunities within the Chicago film community.
A subsidiary of Unfurnished Films, LLC.​
  • About
  • RESOURCES
  • Map
  • The Work
  • Contact