Casting Networks vs Actors Access: Which Does Your Kid Need?
The Two Platforms Behind Almost Every LA Audition
The first time an agent tells you to set up profiles for your child, you will probably hear two names in the same sentence: Actors Access and Casting Networks. Parents reasonably ask why one platform is not enough. The honest answer is that Los Angeles casting runs on both, and they have historically split the business in a way that matters for young actors. Here is what each one does, how they differ, and why most working kids end up on the pair of them.
Two Platforms, Two Histories
Actors Access grew out of the breakdown service that agents use to read casting notices, and it became the default home for television and film submissions. Casting Networks built its reputation on the commercial side of town, where LA casting offices have posted ad work for years under this name and its earlier identity, LA Casting. Both platforms have expanded well beyond those origins, but the old gravity still shows: theatrical teams lean on Actors Access, and commercial casting directors lean on Casting Networks.
For a child actor, the practical takeaway is simple. If your kid auditions for both TV and commercials, they need profiles on both platforms, and both profiles need to stay current. An outdated headshot on one site can quietly cost submissions while the other profile does all the work.
One more thing parents ask about: cost. Both platforms have free and paid levels, and paid features mostly matter for self submissions. Represented kids usually do not need to pay for everything. Ask your agent what your child actually uses before upgrading anything.
Side by Side
| Question | Actors Access | Casting Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest category | TV and film | Commercials and print |
| Who submits your child | Mostly agents and managers | Reps, plus more self submission options |
| Profile focus | Headshots, resume, reel footage | Photos, sizes, and quick turnaround tools |
| Does a beginner need it? | Once represented, yes | Once represented, yes |
What Actually Gets Kids Submitted
Here is the part that surprises parents: the platform matters far less than what is on it. Casting directors on either site respond to the same things: a current headshot, honest sizes, real training credits, and footage that shows a young actor who listens and responds truthfully. Profiles built around strong training, like the work kids do in our Junior Varsity and Varsity programs, stand out no matter which login a casting office prefers.
Keeping Both Profiles in Sync
Whatever photos and resume live on one platform should match the other exactly. Casting directors cross reference more than parents expect, and mismatched headshots raise quiet questions about which version of your child is current. Build one update routine: new photos go to both profiles the same day, and new training credits get added everywhere at once.
A note on self submissions: they can be worthwhile for student films and small independent projects that build footage and set experience, but vet every listing carefully. Legitimate productions never charge money to audition, and any listing that asks for fees to be considered should be skipped on sight. When something feels off, trust the instinct.
Make Both Profiles Worth Submitting
Platforms change. Skill does not. Book a free interview and give your child training that shows up in every breakdown.