Casting Agency – E-Castings & Live Model Search – CM

A professional casting determines whether a campaign is staffed with the right faces – or whether valuable budget is wasted on unsuitable models. Whether you’re looking for a fashion show in Berlin, an international advertising campaign or the establishment of an in-house model pool: the path to the perfect cast is shorter when you rely on an experienced casting agency that masters both e-casting and live formats. That’s exactly what our core business is.

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What a Casting Agency Really Does

E-Casting vs. Live-Casting: Comparing Formats

Which models are suitable for your casting?

This is how a casting with us works

Frequently asked questions about the casting process

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What a Casting Agency Really Does

Many clients underestimate the organisational effort behind a successful casting. A reputable casting agency takes on much more than just selecting the right lookbook. Starting with the briefing analysis, through targeted pre-selection from the agency’s pool, to scheduling, location organisation and post-casting follow-up – all of this is part of the service. Anyone who wants to know how a reputable modelling agency works will quickly realise: transparency, clear communication and a reliable network are the key quality features.

For clients, this means specifically: they save time, avoid incorrect casting and ultimately receive a structured selection of models that really fit their project. Our partner casting agency is active in all major German cities – from the model agency Berlin to the model agency Hamburg. We also support clients in Frankfurt who want to use Frankfurt as a market to become a model.

The Difference Between Booking and Casting

When booking, an already known model is booked for a job. With casting, however, the casting question is clarified during the process itself. A casting can be open (for all applicants), semi-closed (only invited agencies) or internal (from an existing pool). Depending on the format, the effort varies significantly. Our agency will advise you in advance which format is suitable for your budget and your objectives.

Regional Strength, International Reach

Alongside German markets, we also support clients with international castings. Those looking for models for productions in London or New York benefit from our network – and our knowledge of local standards. Anyone planning to try modelling abroad should also know how international casting standards work. Information on how to become a model in London or how to get started if you want to become a model in New York also helps clients to realistically assess international castings.

E-Casting vs. Live-Casting: Comparing Formats

The digital transformation has fundamentally changed the casting business. E-casting is now standard – it saves travel costs, allows for quick decisions and enables a broader pre-selection. Nevertheless, live casting has clear advantages that no video can replace. The table below provides a structured overview:

Criterion	E-Casting (digital)	Live-Casting (on site)
Reach	Nationally / internationally	Regionally / urban
Time investment	Low (asynchronous)	High (scheduling)
Quality of impressions	Limited (image/video)	High (presence, movement)
Costs	Low	Medium to high
Ideal for	Preliminary selection, print, online	Fashion show, TV, elaborate campaigns
Decision speed	Fast	More time-consuming, but more precise

For many clients, we recommend a combination: an E-Casting as a preliminary round and a compact live casting for the finalists. This way, you combine efficiency with quality. Anyone wishing to participate in a casting as a model should first inform themselves about preparing for the casting, study posing tips, and compile a professional model portfolio for the casting.

E-Casting: What Clients Need to Know

During an E-Casting, models receive a digital briefing link with detailed information on outfit, poses, and required recordings. The submitted materials are centrally collected and systematically prepared by our editors. Clients receive a clear selection dashboard – no email chaos, no lost attachments. The entire process is GDPR-compliant and, upon request, can be fully anonymous for the models.

Live-Casting: Professional-Level Organisation

A large live casting with 50 or more participants requires logistical expertise. We take care of space planning, time slot management, technical support and catering coordination. Those looking for models for a fashion show will also find valuable runway and catwalk tips here, which can be incorporated into the models’ briefings. For Fashion Week productions, we know the exact dates: Fashion Week Berlin, New York Fashion Week dates, Paris Fashion Week dates, Milan Fashion Week dates and London Fashion Week dates – all under our watchful eye.

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Which models are suitable for your casting?

This question comes up for many clients too late. The answer depends heavily on the project. Different standards apply to classic fashion lookbooks than to diversity campaigns or lifestyle productions. Important to know: The market has opened up. There is now strong demand for Curvy Models, and many successful agencies operate as model agencies without minimum size. The segment becoming a model in larger sizes is also growing steadily.

“The best casting is not the biggest – it is the most precise. Whoever clearly defines in advance which face fits the brand saves time, nerves and budget in the process.”

For clients who want to build their own model pool, we recommend defining the typical model measurements and requirements in advance and including these in the brief. For models who want to apply, a look at the requirements for becoming a model and the specific steps to become a model is worthwhile – this noticeably increases the quality of applications.

Building a Model Pool: Step by Step

A structured model pool is an asset, not a one-time project. We help customers build this pool strategically – with regular castings, clear criteria and a transparent management system. It doesn’t matter whether you want to keep 10 or 200 models in your pool.

Clear target audience and look definition
Schedule regular refresh castings
Sedcards aktuell halten (max. 6 Monate alt)
Vielfalt bewusst einplanen
Clarify exclusivity rights in advance

This is how a casting with us works

Our process is designed for maximum efficiency – without any compromise on quality. Anyone who would like to book a direct casting at CM Models can get in touch with us at any time via our contact form. The general process looks like this:

Briefing-Call (30–60 Minuten)
Specification Format: E-Casting or Live
Pre-selection from existing pool
Public or closed tender
Conduct and Documentation
Structured Results Reporting
Optional follow-up / booking

Checklist for clients before casting

☐ Written briefing prepared
☐ Budget defined and approved
☐ Look references collected
☐ Number of required models determined
☐ Casting date blocked
☐ Decision-makers for casting day named
☐ Format (E-Casting / Live) chosen
☐ Exclusivity and usage rights clarified

Those wondering what costs models may incur: A reputable agency does not ask for advance fees. Read more about this under Model agency pay money? and Model agency without fees. The topic of Modeling as a side job is also relevant for many casting participants. Our list of Top 10 Model Agencies provides a complete comparison.

For all those who want to take the first step: Apply directly through our portal – Apply now and become part of our growing model network.

Frequently asked questions about the casting process

What does a professionally organised casting cost?

The costs depend on the format, the number of participants and the effort involved. A pure E-casting with pre-selection starts in the mid-three-figure range. A large live casting with space planning, equipment and several hours of execution can cost several thousand euros. We always create an individual offer after the briefing – transparent and without hidden charges.

How many models should I invite to a casting?

As a rule of thumb: invite three to five finalists for a casting, and screen at least twenty applications for a pool of five models. The more precise the briefing, the smaller the invitation circle can be. Quality over quantity is the right approach here.

Can I register for a casting as a model myself?

Yes, direct applications are possible at open castings. Professional preparation is important: up-to-date sedcard, clear photos without heavy make-up and a realistic self-assessment of your measurements and requirements. If you want to know how to contact an agency properly, you will find helpful tips under Modelagentur anschreiben.

Which cities are covered for live castings?

We organise castings in all major German cities: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart. On request, we can also coordinate castings in smaller towns or in Europe. For international projects – for example around the Big 4 Fashion Weeks – we have a reliable network of local partners and are familiar with the requirements of internationally active German fashion designers.