FAQ and casting tips
Preparing for a casting, audition or professional photo or video shoot can make all the difference. At Thea Meulenberg Casting, we want our talent to feel confident and prepared at every stage of the casting process. Whether you are applying to our agency, recording a self-tape, attending an audition or working on set, our practical casting tips will help you present yourself professionally and make the best possible impression.
1. Casting tips
Tips for casting photos
Your casting photos are an essential part of your talent profile. Learn how to create professional and natural photos that show your appearance, personality and versatility. Casting directors want to see an accurate representation of you, so avoid heavily retouched images and use recent photos that reflect your current appearance.
Discover our tips for creating strong casting photos, including advice on professional photography and preparing your portfolio. Read our tips for casting photos.
Tips for self-tape auditions
Preparing a professional self-tape audition can make a big difference during the casting process. Discover our essential tips on lighting, framing, sound, styling and performance to help you create a strong video audition and present yourself confidently on camera.
See our self-tape audition tips for practical advice on lighting, sound, camera setup, styling and performance.
Top posing tips for models and actors
Whether you are updating your portfolio, attending a casting or preparing for a commercial photo shoot, knowing how to present yourself naturally in front of the camera can make a real difference.
Good posing, natural body language and subtle facial expressions help casting directors and photographers see your confidence, personality and versatility. These practical posing tips for models and actors will help you look relaxed, authentic and camera-ready.
Tips for working on set
A professional attitude on set is just as important as talent. Whether you are an actor or commercial model, being prepared, reliable and easy to work with helps create a positive experience for everyone involved.
From your arrival until the final shot, these practical tips will help you understand how to behave on a production set, communicate professionally and make the best possible impression.
Tips for a great audition
Preparing well for an audition can make a big difference to your performance. Discover practical tips to help you feel confident, make a strong impression and show your natural talent during auditions.
For more practical advice, see our tips for a great audition.
The Three C’s of commercial acting
What makes a great commercial actor? Commercial acting is about more than delivering lines. The strongest performances feel natural, believable and engaging, while communicating the story, product or message clearly.
At Thea Meulenberg Casting, we often look for the Three C’s of Acting: Credible, Clear and Connected.
Credible: Commercial actors need to feel real. In advertising, you are often playing an everyday person rather than a traditional character. Natural reactions, believable behaviour and authentic emotions help the audience connect with the person on screen and trust the story being told.
Clear: Commercial acting needs clear communication. Whether you are speaking, reacting, demonstrating a product or telling a story without words, your intention should be easy to understand. Good commercial actors know how to communicate naturally without making the performance feel rehearsed or exaggerated.
Connected: Great commercial acting is about connection. Listen, react and stay present in the moment. Connect with the other actors, the situation, the product and the audience. A convincing performance often comes from a genuine reaction rather than simply delivering the lines.
Commercial acting can require very different skills, from natural reactions and subtle expressions to strong comic timing. If you're looking for talent with a particular flair for humour, discover our comedy actors for commercials.
Commercial acting can require very different skills, from natural reactions and subtle expressions to strong comic timing. If you're looking for talent with a particular flair for humour, discover our comedy actors for commercials.
What makes a good commercial actor?
The best commercial actors combine all three: they are credible, clear and connected. They can take direction, adapt their performance and make a scripted commercial moment feel spontaneous and authentic. That is what makes commercial casting so important. The right actor does not simply fit the brief. They bring the script, product and story to life.
2. Casting knowledge
AI, avatars and digital replicas in commercial casting
Artificial intelligence is changing the way images, video and voices can be created and used. For actors and models, this creates new possibilities, but also important questions about consent, rights and compensation.
At Thea Meulenberg Casting, AI use is not automatically included in a standard casting or usage agreement. Permission to use a talent’s image, likeness, voice or performance for AI generated content, an avatar, digital replica or deepfake must be agreed separately in writing, with a fair market buyout negotiated through our agency.
Your image, likeness and voice
A talent may agree to appear in a commercial, photoshoot or video. This does not automatically give permission to use their image, likeness, voice or performance to create new AI generated content. This can include AI generated images, voice cloning, digital avatars, digital replicas or other synthetic media. We believe these rights should be clearly defined before a production takes place, including the intended use, duration, territories, media and compensation.
AI and commercial casting
AI technology is developing rapidly. As new applications emerge, it is important that existing casting and usage agreements are not automatically interpreted as permission for future or unrelated AI applications. We therefore discuss AI related usage separately with our clients and talent and make sure the agreed permissions and buyout are clearly documented.
Do you have questions about AI use in a casting or production? Contact us to discuss the intended use and the rights and permissions required.
Usage and buy-outs explained
In commercial casting, usage defines where, how and for how long a production may be used. A buy-out is the fee paid to the talent for that agreed commercial usage.
What is a buy-out?
A buy-out is paid when the recorded material is actually used or broadcast as agreed. If the talent is cut from the final production and their contribution is not used, the buy-out does not apply. The buy-out amount we state is after our agency commission has been deducted. Statutory taxes have not yet been deducted.
What does usage mean?
Usage can include the territory, duration and media in which a production is used. This may include TV, online, social media, CTV, OTT, OOH, DOOH and print. Local usage applies to a defined market, such as the Netherlands. Global usage covers multiple territories and therefore involves broader rights.
Why does professional guidance matter?
Usage and buy-outs can become more complex when a campaign involves multiple countries, media channels or longer usage periods. At Thea Meulenberg Casting, we help clients and talent understand the commercial and contractual side of casting, including usage, territories, duration and buyouts. Clear agreements before production ensure that everyone understands what has been agreed and what the talent is being paid for.
Contact us to discuss your casting, usage requirements and talent fees.
3. Frequently asked questions
How do I apply to Thea Meulenberg Casting?
You can apply to join our talent portfolio by completing the application form on our website. We carefully review every application and select talent based on factors such as on-camera presence, personality, appearance, skills and the requirements of our commercial casting work.
Who can apply to Thea Meulenberg Casting?
We accept applications from professional actors, semi-professional actors, commercial models, presenters, child models and child actors aged 9 and over, as well as real people and unique characters. Applicants must live in the Netherlands or Belgium.
We believe in quality over quantity and carefully select the talent we represent.
Is it free to apply?
Yes. Applying to Thea Meulenberg Casting is completely free of charge.
What happens after I apply?
We carefully review your application and photos. Because we receive many applications and focus on quality over quantity, we cannot accept every applicant and cannot guarantee casting opportunities. If we decide to represent you, we will contact you by e-mail with further information.
Does joining your talent portfolio guarantee castings or bookings?
No. Being represented by Thea Meulenberg Casting does not guarantee auditions, castings or bookings. Each production has specific requirements, and clients ultimately decide which talent they would like to cast.
What is a casting?
A casting is a process in which clients, directors or production teams assess actors, models or other talent before making a casting decision. Depending on the production, a casting may take place in person, online or through a self-tape.
A casting can include acting, improvisation, presenting, movement, photography or other tasks relevant to the production.
How do I prepare for a casting?
For each casting, we provide the available information and instructions about the role, scene, script, clothing, styling and other requirements.
Prepare carefully and follow the instructions provided. After your casting, avoid changing your appearance, such as getting a haircut or shaving your beard, without informing us. Always let us know in advance about significant changes to your appearance or anything that may affect your ability to participate.
For more practical advice, see our tips for a great audition.
What is a self-tape audition?
A self-tape is an audition video recorded by an actor or model and submitted to the casting team. It allows clients and directors to assess your performance without requiring you to attend an in-person casting.
See our self-tape audition tips for practical advice on lighting, sound, camera setup, styling and performance.
What are the advantages of a self-tape?
A self-tape is a flexible way to audition. You can usually record it at a convenient time, avoid unnecessary travel and record multiple takes before submitting your best performance.
The disadvantage is that you do not have the same opportunity for real-time interaction and direction as you would during a live casting.
How long does a live casting usually take?
A live casting typically takes around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the production and requirements. We recommend arriving at least 10 minutes early and allowing some extra time in case of delays.
What does it mean to be ‘on option’?
Being placed ‘on option’ means that a client is interested in you and would like you to keep specific dates available. An option does not mean that you are booked or confirmed.
Please keep the dates available and remain easily reachable until the client confirms whether the booking is going ahead.
How often should I update my profile?
We recommend keeping your profile, measurements and photos up to date at all times. As a general guideline, talents under 18 should update their profile at least every six months, while adults should update it at least once a year.
You should also update us whenever your appearance changes significantly.
How can I update my profile?
Send us your latest measurements, including height, shoe size and clothing size, together with at least six recent, high-quality colour photos of around 1 MB each. You can also send links to updated videos or showreels, without your contact details, where relevant.
You can send updates via WeTransfer or e-mail to info@theameulenberg.com. To maintain the quality and consistency of our talent portfolio, we handle profile updates ourselves.
How and when do I get paid?
After completing an assignment, please email us within 24 hours with your total working hours and any applicable travel expenses.
If you have a VAT number and are registered as a business, you can invoice us directly. Please send your invoice, including your VAT number and Chamber of Commerce number, to info@theameulenberg.com within two weeks of completing the assignment.
The agreed Talent fee is exclusive of VAT. VAT also applies to eligible travel expenses where required.
If you do not invoice us directly, you can arrange payment through a payroll or remuneration service. You are responsible for arranging this yourself and for complying with the applicable tax and payment requirements.
Can I post about my casting or shoot on social media?
Please do not share information, photographs or videos about an assignment before it has been approved for publication. Productions are often confidential, and clients may have specific requirements regarding when and what can be shared.
Once the production has been released, you may usually be able to post about it. Always check with us before sharing anything online.
Where can I find the General Booking Conditions?
Our General Booking Conditions explain the terms that apply to bookings made through Thea Meulenberg Casting. They cover matters such as booking confirmations, fees, usage rights, cancellations, travel, payment and other conditions relating to assignments.
How does it work with children on set?
Productions involving children must comply with Dutch rules concerning child performers and working conditions. The production company, parents or guardians and other relevant parties are responsible for following the applicable requirements.
Requirements can vary depending on the child's age and the type and duration of the work. For current information about Dutch regulations, visit the Netherlands Labour Authority.
What do common film and casting terms mean?
Not sure what terms such as self-tape, shortlist, hold or buy-out mean? Explore our film and casting terms glossary to learn the meaning of common film and casting terminology.