Vitamin Enriched Casting Blog
Vitamin Enriched Casting Blog
September 29, 2026 • Blog Post • Real People Casting
Ever wondered what happens after you apply for a real people casting call? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the process, from submitting your story to appearing in a commercial.
At Vitamin Enriched, we specialize in casting real people for television commercials, advertising campaigns, and other creative projects. Unlike professional actors, many of the people we work with have never auditioned before and aren’t familiar with how the casting process works.
We know it can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it for the first time!
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to walk you through the real people casting process, explain what we’re looking for, and help you understand what to expect at every stage.
While every project is a little different, here’s how the process typically works.
Whether you’re responding to a casting call on our website, applying through one of our social media posts, or we’ve reached out to you directly after finding you online, the first step is submitting your information.
Our biggest piece of advice? Submit as soon as possible and be as detailed as you can.
Commercial casting projects often move quickly, and deadlines can be tight. The sooner we receive your submission, the sooner we can review your information and consider you for the project.
When completing your application, take the time to answer all the questions thoroughly and accurately.
We ask for details because we need to understand your story and determine whether you’re a good fit for the casting brief. The more information you provide upfront, the less time we’ll need to spend following up with additional questions.
Of course, we’re always happy to reach out if we need clarification, but having everything in one place helps us move the process along efficiently.
Remember, part of our job as casting directors is to present your story to our clients in the strongest possible way. Give us the details that make you interesting, unique, and right for the opportunity.
Once we receive your submission, our casting team reviews your information to make sure it meets the requirements of the project.
If we think you’re a strong fit, we may present your story, photos, and other relevant details to our client.
The client, which may include the director, advertising agency, production company, or brand, then reviews the submissions and decides whom they’d like to see in the next stage of casting.
At this point, the decision about who moves forward is ultimately up to the client.
We know waiting for an update can be frustrating, especially when you’re excited about an opportunity.
While we’re happy to answer questions, we don’t always have immediate updates from the client. As soon as we receive information about the next steps, we do our best to contact the people moving forward as quickly as possible.
Please keep in mind that we receive many submissions and may not be able to respond individually to everyone who applies.
If the client likes your submission, you may be invited to participate in a video interview with our casting team.
This is an exciting step! It means your story has caught someone’s attention, and now we’d like to get a better sense of your personality and how you come across on camera.
Being invited to interview doesn’t mean you’ve booked the job, but it does mean you’re being seriously considered.
At Vitamin Enriched, we typically conduct our real people casting interviews over Zoom.
These interviews are designed to be relaxed and conversational. We’re not expecting you to perform like a professional actor.
We want to hear your story, learn more about your experiences, and get to know you.
Depending on the project, the interview may last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
And here’s something important to remember: The length of your interview has nothing to do with how well you did.
Some interviews are naturally shorter than others. Our goal is to cover the topics the client wants to learn about, not to keep you on camera for a particular amount of time.
If you’ve never done a video audition before, don’t worry. We’ll guide you through the process.
Here are a few simple things you can do to prepare.
Set up Zoom ahead of time.
Download the Zoom app on your phone, tablet, or computer if you don’t already have it. Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection before your scheduled interview.
Find a quiet, well-lit space.
Choose a location where you won’t be interrupted. Natural light is great, but avoid sitting directly in front of a bright window, which can make your face appear dark.
Position your camera properly.
If you’re using a phone or tablet, turn it horizontally unless we’ve given you different instructions. Position the camera at eye level so we can see you clearly.
Think about your story.
Most of our questions will relate to the information you shared in your initial submission.
You don’t need to memorize answers or prepare a speech, but it can be helpful to think about the experiences, stories, or details you want to share.
Be yourself!
This is probably the most important advice we can give you.
We’re not looking for perfect answers. We’re looking for authentic people.
During the interview, we’ll ask questions and sometimes follow up to learn more about something you’ve shared. We may keep our own comments brief because the client wants to hear from you, not us!
If there’s information we haven’t covered, we’ll make sure to ask before wrapping up.
Our job is to help you feel comfortable and give you the opportunity to show the client who you really are.
After your video interview, we’ll present your audition to the client for review.
Depending on the project, there may be another round of interviews or callbacks before final decisions are made.
And then comes the exciting part: You might get booked for the commercial!
If the client selects you, we’ll contact you with the good news and explain the next steps.
Sometimes casting decisions are made well in advance of a shoot. Other times, bookings happen just a few days before filming.
That’s why we often ask about your availability for the shoot dates early in the process.
If you’ve told us you’re available, it’s important to let us know immediately if anything changes.
Once you’re officially booked, we’ll send you a booking confirmation with the relevant information and production contacts.
You’ll need to reply to confirm that you’ve received the booking details and accepted the job.
Once you’ve confirmed your booking, the production team typically takes over the coordination of your shoot.
As casting directors, our primary responsibility is finding the right people, conducting auditions, and helping our clients make their casting decisions.
We’re not usually responsible for managing the actual production.
Your production contact will generally handle details such as:
We always do our best to answer questions, but once you’re booked, the production team is usually the best point of contact for questions about the shoot itself.
What about payment?
Payment terms vary depending on the project, the talent agreement, and whether the commercial is union or non-union.
Some projects have relatively quick payment timelines, while others may operate on 30- or 60-day terms or another agreed schedule.
Be sure to review your booking paperwork and confirm payment details with your designated production contact or representative.
Congratulations! You’ve made it through the casting process, and now it’s time for your shoot.
While Vitamin Enriched doesn’t typically manage what happens on set, we’ve been involved in enough productions to share a few helpful tips.
1. Arrive on time — preferably early.
Plan to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled call time, unless production has instructed you otherwise.
Allow extra time for traffic, parking, or finding the correct entrance.
2. Make sure your contact information is accurate.
Always provide a phone number and email address where you can be reached.
Production may need to contact you with last-minute updates, so make sure you’re checking your messages.
3. Follow the wardrobe instructions.
The production team may provide clothing for you, or they may ask you to bring several wardrobe options from home.
Follow their instructions carefully and bring everything they’ve requested.
4. Be prepared for a full day.
Commercial shoots can involve a lot of waiting between setups.
Even if your actual time on camera is relatively short, you may be needed on set for several hours or the full scheduled day.
Bring something to keep yourself occupied during downtime, such as a book or other quiet activity, and follow production’s instructions about when you need to be available.
5. Listen to the director and production team.
They’ll guide you through what they need during filming.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions if something isn’t clear.
6. Relax and enjoy the experience!
Remember, the client chose you for a reason.
If you’ve been cast as a real person, they’re interested in your genuine personality, experiences, or relationships.
You don’t need to suddenly become an actor.
Be confident, have fun, and most importantly, be yourself!
Every casting project is different. Some involve several rounds of interviews, while others move quickly from the initial submission to booking.
Sometimes a client changes direction, filming dates shift, or a role is no longer needed. These things happen in commercial production, and they aren’t necessarily a reflection of your submission or audition.
We know how much time and effort people put into applying, and we genuinely appreciate it.
Even if you aren’t selected for one project, that doesn’t mean you won’t be a great fit for something else in the future.
At Vitamin Enriched, we’ve specialized in real people casting since 2004, helping brands, advertising agencies, and production companies find authentic individuals for commercials and advertising campaigns across the United States.
We love meeting people from all walks of life and discovering the stories, personalities, and experiences that make them unique.
Whether you’re applying for your first commercial or you’ve participated in a casting project before, we hope this guide helps you feel more confident about the process.
Ready to give it a try?
Visit Vitamin Enriched to learn more about our real people casting opportunities and see what we’re currently casting.
We look forward to hearing your story!
Vitamin Enriched — Real People Casting