What is audition pinning? If you’ve ever heard your agent say, “You’ve been pinned,” you’re probably familiar with that little rush of excitement. One of the small pleasures of going through the grind of auditioning is hearing back from casting.
I love going to an audition and getting a phone call from my agent to say I’ve been pinned. It makes me feel like I did something right, even in moments when I wasn’t so sure about how my audition went.
So, maybe you went in and gave it your all. Now your agent has called with the exciting update: you’ve been pinned! But what does it mean, exactly, to be “pinned”? Can you take other auditions while pinned? And what if another production wants to book you? Let’s answer these questions together.
What Does It Mean To Be Pinned?
The first thing to know is that being pinned means someone in casting saw your potential—cheers to that! What is audition pinning? Essentially, it’s when casting sees you as one of their top choices for a role. You’re in strong contention, even if a final decision hasn’t been made.
Take a moment to celebrate. Give yourself a hug – it’s well deserved! These small wins help keep us going in this industry. However, it’s vital to understand that this status does not mean you’ve booked the job. Being pinned is a sign that you’re on the shortlist, but there’s usually more than one actor pinned for the same role. Typically, two or three actors are pinned at a time.
The business can be unpredictable, but being pinned is still a big deal. It shows casting trusts you and believes in your talent. Even if this job doesn’t work out, they’ll likely call you in again for future roles. That’s another win in itself.
How Often Does A Pin Turn Into A Booking?
As you wonder about turning a pin into a booking, here’s my personal track record: roughly 50% of my pins have turned into bookings. Every actor’s experience varies, but for me, that’s a pretty decent number. I’d much rather get pinned than not because it means I’m making an impact.
Pins are also a great chance for you to strengthen your professional relationships. Take this opportunity to send a thank-you note to casting. Let them know you appreciate being seen and trusted. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression for future opportunities.
And keep in mind: actors who get pinned usually stay top of mind with casting, even if they don’t book the job. You may not land this role, but you’re increasing the likelihood of being called back into that office again.
Can You Audition For Other Roles While Pinned?
One of the most common questions is: What is audition pinning, and how does it affect my schedule or other audition opportunities? The good news is, being pinned does not mean you’re locked into anything. Casting has not officially booked you yet, so you’re free to continue auditioning for other productions.
The SAG-AFTRA theatrical and television memorandum (page 26) of agreement helps clarify the rules around pinning:
“During the 2017 negotiations, the parties discussed the casting practice commonly known as ‘pinning’ by which a Producer expresses interest in a performer for a certain date or dates, but does not actually engage the performer.
This is a reminder that ‘pinning,’ or any other similar term that refers to an expression of interest without actually engaging the performer, does not create a binding commitment between the performer and the Producer. A performer who has been ‘pinned’ for certain dates is free to accept other employment for those dates.
The Producer may request that the performer notify the Producer that he or she is no longer available in the event that performer accepts other employment for dates for which he or she is ‘pinned.’ The Producer may also contact a performer from time to time to discuss his or her availability for dates for which he or she is ‘pinned.’ Nothing herein shall give the Producer the ability to preempt other employment opportunities for a performer that has been ‘pinned,’ but not engaged.
Retaliating or threatening to retaliate against a performer by refusing to consider the performer for future roles because he or she becomes unavailable for dates for which he or she was ‘pinned’ -but not engaged- is expressly prohibited.
To comply with the parties’ agreement, please ensure that a copy of this bulletin is distributed to your company’s Casting Executives and Casting Directors as soon as practicable, and is included in any casting policies issued to Casting Directors.”
To stay professional, producers may ask you to notify them if you book something else that makes you unavailable. However, they are not allowed to retaliate for taking work while pinned.
The bottom line is this: until you have a signed contract, you should remain open to other opportunities. Don’t pause or put your career on hold while waiting for one role. Keep auditioning and pursuing other projects in the meantime.
Celebrate The Pin, But Stay Focused
You’ve been pinned – congratulations! What is audition pinning in the grand scheme of your acting career? It’s a milestone. Casting sees you as a serious contender, which is an exciting recognition of your talent and hard work.
Still, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Being pinned doesn’t mean you’ve booked the job just yet. Even so, it’s a great step forward and a chance to build stronger relationships with casting. Continue auditioning for other jobs, staying focused on the bigger picture, and keeping yourself active in the industry.
Pins are proof that you’re making waves and getting noticed. Take pride in that accomplishment, keep hustling, and trust that the perfect role will come your way. Let the pieces fall into place while you focus on what you do best – being an amazing actor!
My name is Lili Wexu, and I am a Canadian-American actress who earns a good living in VO. Want to break in? read the Get Clever About VO e-book series.
