Want to audition for some of the biggest, most successful films and TV shows in the world? It’s time to audition for Disney, the world’s largest film powerhouse with a box office take nearly four times its closest rivals.
Huge franchises and brands like Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Fox, and Searchlight Pictures are all part of the Disney mega production family. If you’re an actor or a filmmaker – especially in the UK, where Disney is investing heavily – it’s time to sit up and take notice of the goliath that Mickey Mouse has become.
Disney makes its own shows and films as well as working with external production companies, so if you’re after a role on a Disney shoot, you’ll need to scout out what they’re making at the moment and the casting directors (CDs) they’re working with. Another angle is to research what actors who’ve auditioned for Disney say about their experience – how did they get cast, how did they prepare, and what is their top advice for getting cast?
Being prepared is crucial because the UK is becoming one of Disney’s most important global production hubs, and that means plenty of opportunities coming your way. In 2019, Disney signed a far-reaching 10-year deal with London’s Pinewood Studios, leasing at least 20 stages and taking over most of their production capacity. Recently films such as Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and Mary Poppins Returns have all been shot at Pinewood, and Disney’s UK slate is only going to get bigger.
What does Disney make in the UK?
The answer to that question might best be answered by saying what Disney does not make. The company is enormous, taking in film, TV, and many production companies that don’t obviously seem to be part of Uncle Walt’s empire. With the launch of their streamer, Disney +, the company is also making new television shows and saying yes to new commissions that might not seem very Disney-ish, but very much are.
As well as the big names such as Star Wars (yes – Lucas is a Disney company) and Marvel (yes, them too), Disney also invests in smaller, more independent fare through its Searchlight Pictures arm, among others. Armando Iannucci’s period drama The Personal History of David Copperfield was a Disney/Searchlight co-production with Film 4. So, it’s not all mice, stormtroopers, and superheroes.
Recently, Disney announced a new slate of UK originals for Disney +, and the line-up was impressive. BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright, along with BAFTA-winning producers Sally Woodward Gentle (Killing Eve, Sid Gentle Films), Faith Penhale (production company Lookout Point), and Stephen Garrett (production company Character 7) are among the talent whose series will be launched on Disney+.
How can I find out who is casting Disney shows?
The best way is to keep an eye on the industry in order to see which films or shows have been greenlit and are coming into production over the next six or so months. If you’ve got an agent, great – they should be across opportunities, but if not then you can do this yourself.
Do your research and keep an eye on Backstage – especially our weekly Greenlit UK series, which announces major upcoming productions, including Disney. We usually announce who is casting what, and we carry plenty of interviews with casting directors for Disney productions, sharing their advice on how to approach them and get on their radar.
Find out more at Backstage.
