Casting Directors
Pro casting services across China's vast entertainment world, from Beijing's film studios to Shanghai's busy commercial scene.
A casting director finds and picks the actors who bring a script's characters to life. China's entertainment world is one of the largest anywhere, and its actors train at the top Beijing Film Academy, the Central Academy of Drama, and the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Chinese performers bring skills that span classic Peking opera to modern screen naturalism. The country's box-office strength has raised a new wave of talent known around the world.
We connect you with casting directors who know China's unique production scene, from state-OK'd talent databases to independent casting networks. Our team handles the needs of the China Film Administration while reaching performers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Qingdao's growing studio complex.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete Casting Services
From principal roles to background artists, our casting directors have the ties and skill to build your perfect cast in China.
01
Principal Casting
- Lead role sourcing
- Talent submissions
- Chemistry reads
- Callback coordination
- Deal negotiations
Star Talent
02
Supporting Roles
- Day player casting
- Featured roles
- Recurring characters
- Guest stars
- Co-star roles
Complete Cast
03
Background Casting
- Extras coordination
- Specialty extras
- Stand-ins & doubles
- Crowd scenes
- Period-specific looks
Background Artists
04
Casting Services
- Self-tape management
- Audition facilities
- Session recording
- Talent databases
- Agency liaison
Full Support
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Casting Directors
01.
Local Talent Expertise
Our casting directors have built ties with graduates of the Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, and the Shanghai Theatre Academy. They also work closely with China's top talent management firms. We reach performers who range from classically trained stage actors to popular screen talent.
02.
International Production Experience
With work on Sino-foreign co-productions, Hollywood features shot in China, and major home-grown blockbusters, our casting directors know the rules and cultural nuances of casting for the Chinese market.
03.
Local Knowledge
Our team knows the casting communities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu inside out. We handle China Film Administration needs, set up auditions at major studios such as Qingdao Movie Metropolis, and keep close ties with talent agencies across every major production hub.
04.
Bilingual Casting Capability
We focus on Mandarin-English bilingual casting and source Chinese actors who perform fluently in both languages. Our team also reaches performers fluent in Cantonese, Shanghainese, and other regional dialects key to authentic Chinese storytelling.
On Location
Casting directors plugged into China's three-academy talent pipeline and major agency rosters
China's casting community rests on graduates of the Beijing Film Academy, the Central Academy of Drama, the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and Communication University of China. These four schools feed talent into the agency-contract systems run by Huayi Brothers Talent, Hairun Pictures, Donghuang Entertainment, and Tang Yan Studio. Talent also flows to the in-house rosters at iQIYI, Tencent Pictures, and Bona Film Group. Unlike the US or UK, China has no formal Casting Society of America equivalent and no SAG-AFTRA enforcement.
Engagements run through agency contracts and direct studio ties, which makes local know-how key. Our casting directors source principals from these talent stables and from independent management houses across Beijing's Chaoyang district and Shanghai's Xuhui. Their work spans Zhang Yimou-orbit features, Frant Gwo's Wandering Earth ensembles, Wuershan's Creation of the Gods trilogy, and prestige drama for iQIYI and Tencent Video. It also covers Sino-foreign co-productions built under China's treaties with Canada, France, Australia, the UK, South Korea, Italy, and Spain. Mandarin-English bilingual reads, Cantonese casting through Hong Kong agency partners, and regional dialect work in Shanghainese, Sichuanese, and Northeastern Mandarin are all routine.
Our team handles script breakdowns, talent submissions, and audition scheduling at casting facilities in Beijing's 798 district and Shanghai's Anfu Road. We also run self-tape planning with quality control and chemistry reads with directors on Zoom or in person. Background and crowd casting at scale — the volumes Wandering Earth or Creation of the Gods demand — runs through extras-planning networks at Hengdian World Studios. There, standing-set period shoots often need hundreds of dynasty-dressed performers per shoot day.
On the ground, the work gets more specific. China Film Administration approval needs for foreign-cast roles in co-productions are built into shortlists from the first call. We also factor in the script and content review timelines that NRTA imposes. Deal talks are set up with talent agencies and management houses on terms that match Chinese industry standard while meeting foreign producer expectations. We keep steady ties with the agency-contract pools that other markets simply cannot reach without a local base in Beijing or Shanghai.
ACT 03
FAQ
Casting Expertise
What types of casting do you handle?
We give full casting services, from principal roles (leads, supporting) to day players, background artists, and specialty casting (stunts, dancers, musicians). Our casting directors have worked across features, television, commercials, and branded content.
Can you find English-speaking Chinese actors?
Yes. Our database holds Chinese actors fluent in Mandarin and English, plus performers skilled in Cantonese, Shanghainese, and other regional languages. We can source talent with Western acting training and work with global agencies for co-production casting.
How do you handle auditions?
We give flexible audition options. These cover in-person sessions at pro casting facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major Chinese cities, self-tape planning with quality control, and live video auditions for remote directors. Every session can be recorded for review.
What about background and extras casting?
We keep databases of background artists across China and can source set types, looks, and skills as needed. For large crowd scenes, we set up casting calls and manage extras on shoot days through our AD network.
How far in advance should we start casting?
For principal roles on features, start 8-12 weeks before shooting to leave time for submissions, auditions, callbacks, and deal-making. Supporting roles need 4-6 weeks. Background casting can be set up faster, often in 2-3 weeks.
Do you handle talent contracts and negotiations?
Yes. Our casting directors work with agents and managers on deal talks, making sure terms fit your budget while meeting Chinese industry standards and China Film Administration needs. We team up with your production legal team to finalize contracts.
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ACT 04 — On Set
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