What is an 'open call'?

What is an 'open call'?

Gabrielle Schary (Casting Director) gives expert video advice on: What type of child can succeed in an acting career?; Are certain 'looks' in child actors easier to cast?; Does a child need to have perfect looks to succeed as an actor? and more...

An open call is when a company or an entity wants to throw the widest net out that they can. They'll typically advertise in newspapers, online, and in fliers. They'll pretty much say "Saturday from 8 till 3, meet at the corner of such and such, all kids, all types, all ages". That would be an open call.