What’s a Cattle Call?
When you’re just starting out as an actor (and especially if you don’t have an agent or manager) you will most likely have to go out on many “cattle calls”. So what’s a cattle call? A cattle call is term associated with the audition process. There will be many times when you will go out on an audition where you and a gazillion others will be auditioning for the same role. You’ll be a part the very first round of the “weeding out” process. Like cattle, you are all together in one room trying to book the job. This happens a lot on commercials, small roles and theater.
The reason there’s a ton of people going out on this “cattle call” is because the larger roles are already taken by more established and experienced actors. Also, casting agents don’t usually see less experienced actors for the larger roles. So if you get the chance to go out on a cattle call, don’t take it personally. It’s an opportunity. Take it. There’s an old saying, “There are no small roles. Just roles.” Meet some people. Use it as a stepping stone to advance your career. Many well known actors started off their careers by going out on cattle calls.
