Changes - some love them, some don’t. But if the change has to do with your industry, there’s often very little you can do about it, apart from embracing it. The difference we’re discussing today is the polar shift towards an online environment affecting the entertainment industry right now.
We care about the safety of our peers, and because of this, more and more tasks are switching over online. Today, we want to bring your attention to online auditions and the tools that make this process easier and more efficient. In this article, we’re comparing the 5 most popular video conferencing platforms that are widely used to host online auditions.
- Zoom.
- MS Teams.
- Google Meet.
- Skype.
- Whereby.
Zoom
Zoom is quite the giant in this space, as many people have implemented using their services for daily and work-related tasks. They advertise having a clear picture and audio, which would benefit you as a Casting Director. Zoom has paid plans, but you’ll be able to enjoy many of their features for free. It also allows you to integrate with your calendar, so you never have to miss a scheduled audition. You also won’t have to keep anyone out of the loop, as Zoom allows you to host auditions with up to 100 members in the call. Unfortunately, the free tier limits you to just 40 minutes of group calls.
MS Teams
MS Teams is widely recognized due to its adaptability and a plethora of features. It’ll do a lot of the things that Zoom does, with some extra benefits such as being able to seamlessly share files, host group calls with up to 300 members, and chat with users directly within its platform. Auditioning prospects could easily submit their demo reels, self-tapes, and slates directly to your MS Teams chat, removing the need to write e-mails and wait for delayed responses. If you’re looking for a platform that’ll let you cover all facets of online communication, then MS Teams is the catch-all software solution you’re looking for. They do have a free tier option, which comes with compelling features you could try today.
Google Meet
Google Meet, also known as Google Hangouts Meet, is part of the Google Workspace platform. So naturally, it integrates well with most Google apps, which probably means your e-mail, too. What’s really convenient about Google Meet is the universal approach of not installing any software and hopping right on the web to start using it. What’s a faster way to jump into an audition than sending a link, and that’s it? The other benefit to using Google Meet is entering details to Calendar Events and having them instantly synced with everything. You could indicate specific details the prospect could prepare for to have a more productive audition.
Skype
Skype is probably the most recognized video conferencing platform of them all on this list. One of its best features is hosted web-based video calls without having to install any software. This means that you can invite your prospects to auditions by simply typing in their e-mail address. The free tier subscription limits you to just having 50 members in the call, but that should be enough for most casting teams.
Whereby
Whereby is a fast-growing video conferencing platform that has a focus on minimalism. It comes with many great features like the rest of the platforms on this list, but the most unique part is clicking on a custom URL link and being instantly connected with your prospects. You can use Whereby for free, with the possibility of hosting a meeting of up to 100 members. However, the downside is that you will be limited to a certain number of monthly calls with the free subscription tier. If you’re looking for a fast and straightforward way to connect with talent ready to audition, this may be one of the best options.
Now That you Know
The tech space for video conferencing is constantly growing, and options for hosting great online auditions are expanding. For casting directors, this means having a lot of unique opportunities. With the knowledge you’ve gained here today, you should be able to make the right choice and start hosting auditions immediately. And if you’re still looking for a first-class casting platform, look no further than kidscasting. You can sign up for free and post your very first casting call today. Just make sure you’ve picked a video conference platform to host all those auditions you’ll be getting.
