There are a vast (and growing) number of websites available for actors searching for their work. It can be challenging to navigate and tricky to understand the differences for all the websites for actors, so how do you choose which is right for you?

Best Websites For Actors - Casting Networks

I’ve compiled a list of The 9 Best Websites For Actors, with their benefits and specifics to help you choose which might be right for you.

However, I would recommend researching as much as possible to work out, to suit your needs best.

So in no particular order…

1. IMDbPro

Best Websites For Actors - IMDbPro

IMDbPro is a website that provides an in-depth look at the business side of the film industry. It covers everything from production to distribution, and includes information on the major players in Hollywood. IMDbPro also offers a variety of resources for aspiring filmmakers, including a database of over 7,000 professionals working in the industry.

The IMDbPro Jobs area is a great place to start your search for employment in the film industry. The site offers a variety of job listings, as well as a resume database and an online portfolio service.

IMDbPro has a very in-depth job area where you can search for industry related gigs beyond just acting.

Visit the IMDbPro website

2. Backstage

Best Websites For Actors - Backstage

Backstage is one of the best websites around nowadays for casting opportunities, and at a fraction of the price of some of its competitors, it’s well worth investing in.

It has a really clear layout and allows you to adapt your profile quickly and simply to make your portfolio stand out.

There are a massive amount of castings updated daily for everything from student short films to Netflix continuing dramas. There are beneficial search parameters that are all manageable and allow you to be more specific in the work you are looking for and your specific casting to save you flicking through hundreds of not applicable castings.

It has been around for about 60 years, and it shows they have honed their website to be actor friendly, and you’ll get notifications of new jobs immediately.

Visit The Backstage website

3. The Mandy Network

Best Websites For Actors - The Mandy Network

Mandy (formerly Casting Call Pro) has been a staple of the casting community for a long time, and as such, there are a lot of opportunities posted on a daily basis. It’s one of the top places to book paid gigs without an agent, and they often have commercial opportunities as well as lower-budget productions.

It allows you to create a profile with all your credits concisely with added features such as views, private messaging as a bonus; you can also let your agent control your profile. It does come at the cost of a monthly fee, but if you’re getting genuine engagement and paid roles from the website, you should soon recoup this cost. There are also many resources available to paying members to help them progress in their careers included in your membership fee.

Visit The Mandy Network website

4. Shooting People

Best Websites For Actors - Shooting People

Shooting People is a fantastic website designed for filmmakers. It is generally geared towards searching for the crew but is more and more encouraging actors to sign up. At just $20 a year, it’s an absolute bargain too.

There is a brilliant community on the site that allows you to ask questions, discuss thoughts amongst the members and create real collaborations that can lead to future job opportunities and further your understanding of the film industry as a whole.

Your profile is more personal than a lot of the other platforms and allows you to express yourself a bit more creatively. They also run fantastic competitions for actors, and it is has a lot of different sections to help you learn about the latest opportunities for filmmakers across the country.

Visit the Shooting People website

5. StarNow

Best Websites For Actors - StarNow

StarNow is another classic website open to actors at any stage of their career (including no experience). It has a good range of job opportunities as well as plenty of unpaid roles to gain experience.

It also has a significant focus on modeling, extra, musician, and other roles, which help set it apart from some of the other websites on this list.

There’s no “right” way to start out in this industry, and it might be worth considering getting experience of being on set in a minor role on a bigger production with more experienced actors or finding a different niche within actor-musician or actor-model roles.

With options between $5 to $10 per month, it is considerably cheaper than some of its competitors too.

Visit the StarNow website

6. The Stage Castings

Best Websites For Actors - The Stage Jobs

The magazine of the same name runs the Stage Castings. It has a huge selection of roles and is more geared towards stage-based roles, especially within the musical world.

Located and targeted in the UK, at £11 a month (or less for annual memberships), you gain access to all the castings as well as news, reviews, and advice. It has an impressive range of roles as well as other jobs within the entertainment industry, which could be a helpful route into performance.

If you’re looking to work in theatre and want to keep your finger on the pulse of the UK Stage scene, this is the website for you.

Visit The Stage Castings website

Have you ever thought of becoming a voice over actor? 

7. Casting Networks

Best Websites For Actors - Casting Networks

Casting Networks was originally a US-based system but is making waves across the pond as the new kid on the block. With a competitive amount of castings and at only $5 a month, it’s worth taking a look at (especially as they offer a 30-day free trial).

This is another go to platform for international productions looking for on screen talent and if you’re looking to work outside of the US this could well be a sensible option.

Visit the Casting Networks website

8. Twitter

Twitter has become one of the most valuable websites to find castings in the US. You can create opportunities for yourself in a myriad of different ways if you use the website intelligently.

You can follow casting directors directly to see opportunities they put out for specific breakdowns or advertising workshops. Use the search function to discover castings in your local area by using specific tag words.

And take part in a number of popular actors’ Twitter competitions/sharing opportunities such as Door or Die’s casting competition or Showreel Share Day; you never know who you might be able to network with from the comfort of your own living room.

Visit Twitter

9. Facebook 

Our final website on The 9 Best Websites For Actors is Facebook. Facebook has several groups specifically designed to put casting calls and breakdowns out (especially if you’re searching for unpaid roles at the start of your career and don’t want to spend a lot of money in the process).

Search in the group’s section for the most relevant one for you, dependent on where you are in the country and whether you’re looking for stage, screen, or voiceover work.

There is also a fantastic community on many of these groups where you can ask for advice about specific work, invoicing, self-taping, etc.

Visit Facebook

Common Questions About Websites for Actors

What is the best website for actors?

What is The Best Website for Actors - IMDbpro Logo

I think having an IMDbPro account is essential for any film professional as it covers professional film profile and a place where you can look for acting jobs.

How much does IMDbPro cost?

The Individual Monthly membership is $19.99 per month or you can pay $149.99 per year and save a bit on money. They also have a Group Plan for up to 5 members at $79.99 per month.

Should actors have websites?

Any additional exposure to your professional experience in the film industry is essential. So I recommend you find a domain name with your name in it and build your own website.

Final Thoughts

With all these websites for acting, you have to be really careful to read all the details of each casting before applying and especially before sending off any tape or agreeing to audition.

While most of these websites will have some kind of vetting process (some stricter than others), there are always ways for people to abuse the platform.

Make sure you’re aware of these things and know that if you’re applying for an unpaid position, it’s because you need the experience. You’re not being taken advantage of, and if you have any issues, make sure to report it immediately to the moderators of the platform. 

Other than that, the internet is a fantastic tool for proactive actors to keep working and applying for job.

Make sure you’re using it to its fullest potential by opening yourself up to any opportunity, while also targeting and being specific about the kind of roles you want to be booking.

We hope this article on The 9 Best Websites For Actors was helpful to you, please let us know what you thought in the comments.