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After several years in beta testing mode, the new casting app Castability officially launched earlier this month. Founded by Jay Boyer and led by director of casting Amanda Lenker Doyle, CSA, the app has actors film
original scenes on their phone and then receive feedback from professional casting directors.
Boyer began working on the app a decade ago and started offering early access in November 2020 (with paid access starting the following year). But the app remained in beta for several years as Boyer and Lenker Doyle expanded its service.
Castability, which is available on both iPhone and Android, gives users new scenes every week, with their performances then reviewed by real casting professionals. Every submitted performance is evaluated by three key metrics: “technique,” “believability” and “creativity.” Actors receive scores, as well as told what worked, what needs improvement and more. Rankings and highlights of top-performing actors are also being considered.
“Actors are constantly being evaluated, but they’re rarely given the information they need to grow,” said Boyer in a statement. “We built Castability to give actors something tangible: honest feedback from people who understand the craft, greater visibility into their performances and the ability to see their progress. It’s about putting some of that power back into actors’ hands.”
Lenker Doyle’s recent credits include “Scooby-Doo: Origins,” “Chad Powers,” “Cape Fear” and “Murdaugh: Death in the Family.”
Said Lenker Doyle in a statement: “One of the hardest parts of navigating this industry is the uncertainty. So much of the casting and filmmaking process happens behind closed doors, and actors are left guessing. Castability pulls back the curtain, showing actors how the casting process really works. It’s education I wish every actor had access to, and after six years of building it, I’m thrilled to finally share it.”
The Castability founders note that the app evolved as the pandemic took away a lot of in-person casting sessions, and self-tapes became the new standard in casting many film and TV projects. Then there’s the issue of runaway production, and how actors are now finding more work outside of L.A.
“An actor in Tulsa can now get the same professional eyes on their work as an actor in Los Angeles or New York,” the company’s founders noted.
Boyer, Lenker Doyle, Cronin Cullen, Jackie Rhoads and Taylor Shurte developed the app, with design and engineering by Goji Labs. After a two-week free trial, the app costs $35 monthly.
