By Robin Schroeter
You walk into the casting room. You deliver your lines perfectly. You cry on cue. You leave feeling like you nailed it.
And then… silence. You never hear back.
As an actor, your immediate thought is: “I wasn’t good enough.” As a Director who sits on the other side of that table, I am here to tell you: You are wrong.
In the Bangkok industry, talent is only about 30% of the equation. Here is the brutally honest truth about how casting decisions are actually made in Thailand—and why it’s rarely about your acting skill.
1. The “Client” is King (and they aren’t artists)
In Hollywood, the Director often has the final say. In the Thai commercial industry (TVCs), the Client has the final say.
The Client is usually a Marketing Manager for a shampoo or car brand. They don’t know about “Meisner technique” or “emotional depth.” They are looking for a specific vibe that matches their brand demographics.
If they need a “Friendly Dad” and you look like a “Cool Uncle,” you won’t get the part. It doesn’t matter if you are the best actor in the room. You simply didn’t fit the marketing puzzle.
2. The “Safe Choice” Factor
Casting Directors are risk-averse. If they recommend a new, unknown actor to the Client, and that actor freezes on set, the Casting Director looks bad.
This is why you see the same 20 faces in every TV commercial in Thailand.
- The Problem: If you have no reel and no reputation, you are a “risk.”
- The Solution: You need a professional Showreel. It is your insurance policy. It proves to the Casting Director that you can handle the job, making it “safe” for them to book you.
3. The 3-Second Rule
When I get a casting sheet, I might have 50 profiles to review in 20 minutes. I don’t read your bio. I don’t look at your “special skills.”
I look at your headshot. If it looks amateur, I delete it.
In 2026, iPhone selfies are not acceptable. If you don’t invest in professional headshots, the industry assumes you aren’t a professional actor.
The Bottom Line
You cannot control the Client’s marketing plan. You cannot control the “look” they want.
But you can control:
- Your Tools: Are your headshots and showreel world-class?
- Your Skill: When you do fit the look, are you the best actor in that category?
Stop worrying about the roles you didn’t get. Focus on being ready for the one that is made for you.