We asked Rhoda Davids from Grace Model Management whether she prefers self tape or virtual castings for her artists. Her answer was clear! "I would definitely choose virtual casting," she said. "A virtual casting is quick, easy, and you don't have to worry about anything."
Our team of experts run the whole experience smoothly, making sure that talent get direction for their best performance and advice on lighting, backdrop, and tech.
The Virtual Studio is "definitely less work and easier for us agents."
Onida Cowan from ERM Stars was delighted by the simplicity of our process in The Kayos Virtual Studio.
Our goal is for the process to be straightforward, accessible, and get the most out of the talent. It's encouraging to hear that it helps agents as well as the talent to perform well, directors to meet a broad range of talent, and castings to proceed regardless of lockdown restrictions.
"It's very streamlined, even now in the virtual world. It's more about quality of cast - and quality of casting tapes - as opposed to having a lot of people to look at."
We worked with director Paul Ward and producer Martina Schieder for Giant Films to cast the latest Sanlam ad during lockdown.
We cast in The Virtual Studio for all initial castings and majority of callbacks with Paul present virtually. He also virtually joined the physical callbacks of several people who had to be seen together in the physical studio.
"I don't think I've enjoyed a casting as much in all the years I've worked, as I have with the [Kayos] Virtual Studio casting."
Erica Brumage, director at Groundglass, has reflected on The Virtual Studio casting process with us. We recently cast the lead for the 60 minute, 3 part series with Erica. We began with casting the lead presenter, and thanks to The Virtual Studio were able to see men and women from around the world to find the right person.
"The Virtual Studio was an amazing experience, not only for the planet - for this industry to work in a greener way - but also access to castings as far a field as London."
Katherine Leach-Lewis, Executive Producer at Up A Gumtree, has eloquently articulated what she valued about Kayos, as well as her experience casting The Virtual Studio.
Love Albany Bread | TV Commercial
"Everyone brings something to the table. You bring yours and we’ll bring ours. Albany: Together. It’s where we belong. (Be safe. Adhere to COVID-19 protocols)."
We cast for Albany Bread's heart-warming ad partly in the Kayos Virtual Studio and partly in our physical studio - entirely during lockdown. Directed by Emilie Badenhorst for ROMANCE - it's a local ad that will make you feel both nostalgic and proudly South African.
MTN | Call your Mother | TV Commercial
The Kayos Virtual Studio allows us to cast talent from anywhere with a stable internet connection! That’s exactly what we did for this MTN: Call your Mother TV commercial. Directed by South African director, Laurence Hamburger and produced by Lisa du Toit for Groundglass, we cast it online to get a really diverse talent pool. We’re thrilled with the results.
Sanlam | The Plan | TV Commercial
We're proud to have worked with director Paul Ward and producer Martina Schieder (for Giant Films) to cast this Sanlam TV commercial during lockdown. Initial castings were all performed in The Kayos Virtual Studio, and although some talent attended callbacks in our physical studio, director Ward attended remotely so the Virtual Studio continued to play a role.
"There's no waiting like in live castings...it's just very stress-free."
The brilliant David Bennie from ERM Stars loved his recent experience in The Kayos Virtual Studio.
Having worked hard to make online castings efficient, and set up to help talent look their best, we were thrilled with his feedback: "It's just very stress free," he said. "There's no big inconvenience, and it takes the stress out of casting because you're not sitting in a long line getting impatient and worrying."
"Among many positives, the big plus is that I live quite far out of town, so driving in for castings is now off the table completely."
The Virtual Studio lets talent like Jenna Upton from Hey Judes Model Management join us from anywhere in the world. "Among many positives, the big, big plus is that I live quite far out of town, so driving in for castings is now off the table completely," she said. We're so glad that online remote castings can keep actors like Jenna on the table, even if not in the room!