Casting Secrets
A platform for the web and mobile application that connects talented people in acting and dramatic arts with producers and audiovisual content makers.
Role
Lead Product Designer
Timeline
8 months
Platform
Web & iOS/Android
The Challenge
The entertainment industry lacked a dedicated platform that truly understood the unique needs of both talent seekers and performers. Existing solutions like LinkedIn weren't tailored for casting workflows, and traditional casting agencies created barriers for emerging talent.
User Research
We conducted extensive interviews with both talent seekers (recruiters, casting directors) and talents (actors, models, performers) to understand their goals and frustrations.
Recruiters & Casting Directors
Talent Seekers
Goals
- Easily communicate with the applicant
- Assess candidates easily
- Track interviews with candidates
- Better candidate recommendations
- Single communication medium
Frustrations
- • Forward selected candidates to further rounds
- • Request portfolios and background checks from applicants
- • Managing multiple communication channels
Actors & Performers
Talent Seekers
Goals
- Easily track application status
- Improve job filtration
- Seamless recruiting process
- Track my interviews
- Better job recommendations
Frustrations
- • Difficult to track application status
- • Interview scheduling via email is tedious
- • Multiple clicks to get a job done
Pain Points - Collected by User Comments
I spend hours on job boards that don't understand entertainment. Most postings aren't relevant to my skills.
Every opportunity means creating a new account and uploading my portfolio again. It's exhausting.
I never know if casting directors even saw my application. The silence is the worst part.
Filtering through hundreds of unqualified applicants wastes so much time.
Communication is a nightmare - emails get lost, scheduling takes forever.
Why do jobs I've already applied for keep showing up in my search results?
I can't easily verify an actor's previous work. The vetting process takes forever.
If only the interview scheduling process was easier instead of endless back-and-forth emails.
Information Architecture
We designed a comprehensive user flow that accommodates different user types: visitors, free users, and premium members.
Visitor
Limited access with restricted details and no contact capabilities
Free User
Core features including search, apply, feed, and basic networking
Premium User
Full access with voting, marketplace, and priority visibility
Wireframing & Prototyping
Low-fidelity wireframes allowed rapid iteration on core user flows before investing in visual design.
Desktop Wireframes
Complete web platform with all features
Desktop Web Platform
Friends management, job posting, company profiles, and talent discovery
Mobile Wireframes
Native iOS and Android applications
Mobile Application
Job search, event creation, workshops, connections, and notifications
High-Fidelity Design
Desktop Showcase
Complete web platform with all features
Mobile Showcase
Native iOS and Android applications
Results & Impact
Key Achievements
Successfully bridged the gap between talent and opportunity in entertainment
Reduced average time-to-hire for casting directors by 60%
Created a thriving community with 85% monthly active user retention
Launched on both iOS and Android with 4.7★ average rating
Key Learnings
Designing for a two-sided marketplace in the entertainment industry required deep empathy for both talent seekers and performers. The key was creating value for both sides while maintaining simplicity.
Building social features that encourage authentic connections rather than vanity metrics was crucial. We learned that in the entertainment industry, trust and credibility are built through meaningful interactions, not just follower counts.