Casting director and production office referral stacks
Leave 100-count stacks after showcases or clean submission days - not unsolicited dumps on busy breakdown mornings. Front: manager logo, "Theatrical roster - submission guidelines inside," genre focus, direct line.
Back: email format with flag-as-submission subject line spelled in monospace for copy-paste, flagship reel QR labeled by client name, union note if applicable. Assistants file sleeve cards with active breakdowns; mass emails get blocked.
Unique submission code per casting office batch - CAST-NY-01 versus CAST-LA-03 - logged when callbacks arrive within 30 days.
Showcase and agent-meet invitation cards for talent
Separate creative for talent recruitment - showcase date, preparation notes (monologue length, sides policy), RSVP path, and what to bring. Mixing talent-facing invites with casting-office protocol on one card confuses both audiences.
Headline speaks to performers: "Agent showcase - March 12, RSVP required." Back lists parking, check-in time, and whether self-tape submissions accepted for remote talent.
Hand at acting classes and conservatory bulletin boards with permission - performers collect slim cards that fit inside headshot binders.
Commercial and voice-over division pitch minis
Swap theatrical front for commercial roster on the same slim matte format - different reel QR, different submission subject-line format, same physical dimensions casting assistants already file.
Commercial cards lead with age range bands, union status, and "conflict check before hold" note voice-over buyers expect. Theatrical cards lead with stage credits and showcase availability.
Do not merge divisions on one card - commercial buyers ignore theatre-heavy fronts; theatre CDs ignore "available for regional spots" clutter.
International festival and market delegation handoffs
Hand at markets when in-person chemistry matters more than email threads. Territory rights summary, contact in LA and NY if applicable, availability calendar note, and flagship client reel QR on the back.
Keep copy NDA-safe - genre descriptors and network tier, not show titles unless production approved reprint. One leaked title on a market handout can end a referral relationship.
Matte slim cards survive messenger bags stacked fifty deep without corner curl - gloss companions glare under convention hall lighting.
Why 3.5×6 matte cover suits talent managers
Headshot sleeve fit is non-negotiable - wrong size discarded at the desk. Matte readable under casting office fluorescents; gloss reflects and skips.
Slim profile stacks deep in messenger bags for market weeks. 100lb cover feels substantial without the thickness that splits standard portfolio sleeves.
Reel QR quiet zone verified for phone scan under mixed lighting - casting assistants test from three feet, not designer monitor distance.
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Track casting callbacks per office stack
Unique submission code per casting office batch; log callbacks and booked sessions within 30 days of handoff. Offices that produce zero engagement after two pilot seasons lose stack priority.
Compare theatrical versus commercial callback rates per creative - some managers need split cards earlier than expected because mixed messaging reduces assistant follow-through.
Reorder each pilot season with updated flagship reel QR; keep layout stable so assistants recognize your sleeve card year over year.