Feature Film
Independent and studio features, from microbudget to mid-budget.
Principal Casting · New York City
Principal casting with character.
Film, television, commercial and digital casting for directors and producers who value timing, authenticity and a sharp comedic sensibility. Every search is run from New York City.
Now booking
100% Production-Paid
We invoice productions directly.
Zero Talent Fees
Actors never pay to submit or audition. Ever.
No Closed Roster
Every role gets a fresh, targeted search.
SAG-AFTRA Fluent
Union agreements and indie waivers, handled cleanly.
No Wage Handling
Talent payroll stays with your payroll company.
Formats
Four formats. One specialty.
Episodic and Streaming
Series, pilots and limited runs for streaming and broadcast.
Commercial and Branded
Principal casting for spots, campaigns and branded content.
Digital and Short Form
Shorts, proof of concept films and digital series.
The Specialty
Comedy + Character
It takes a comic to cast a comic. We know the difference between an actor delivering a line and an actor finding the rhythm of a scene, because our founder works both sides of the table.
Grounded · Dry
Deadpan and Mockumentary
Restraint is the joke. Nothing is underlined.
Grounded · Broad
Ensemble and Character
Big choices rooted in real, specific people.
Heightened · Dry
Satire and Absurdism
Impossible worlds, played completely straight.
Heightened · Broad
Sketch and Big Character
Full commitment. No winking at the camera.
Every brief is placed on the matrix before the search begins. One axis runs dry to broad, the other grounded to heightened. We cast to the tone, not just the type.
How It Works
A grounded process.
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01 / Tone Call and Script Breakdown
Character specs, comedic archetypes, budget tiers and scheduling, mapped before anyone is contacted.
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02 / Targeted Discovery
Curated outreach across agency rosters, manager desks and live New York comedy stages.
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03 / Auditions and Sessions
Precision self tapes and live or virtual sessions, organized for fast production review. A shortlist, not a dump.
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04 / Selects and Deal Clearance
Curated selects delivered to your production team with clean union compliance. Production books and pays talent directly.
The Rate Sheet
Straightforward casting fees.
Project based pricing, invoiced to production. Paid by production. Talent never pays.
Scripted and Comedy
1 principal role$1,250–$1,750
2–3 principal roles$2,250–$3,500
3–5 principal roles, comedy / digital$2,500–$4,000
Projects
Short film / proof of concept (1–2 principals)$1,250–$2,000
Microbudget feature$4,000–$8,000
Digital / branded commercial$2,500–$5,000
Sessions
Session-only casting day$500–$650 + studio
Terms: 50% retainer to book, balance at delivery or before day one of sessions. Final quote depends on scope, turnaround, number of roles and search complexity. Custom searches and nationwide ensemble bids are quoted on request.
Casting By
Russell Stoner
An actor's eye on the other side of the table.
Russell Stoner is a working SAG-AFTRA actor and stand-up comedian who casts from the production side of the table. He has sat in the waiting room, taped the audition at midnight and stood on the mark, so he knows what a good casting process feels like from the chair your actors will sit in.
That experience runs every search here: specific notes, honest communication and a process where performers can do their best work. And a standing rule with no exceptions: the founder never casts himself in a production he is casting.
“The name's Stoner. The process is sober.”
Common Questions
FAQ
Do you accept actor submissions through this site?
No. This site is for productions. We cast through breakdown services, agency and manager submissions, and direct outreach for specific roles. Unsolicited materials are not reviewed or kept on file.
Does talent ever pay Stoner Casting?
Never. No submission fees, no audition fees, no photography or registration fees of any kind. Productions pay for casting. That is the whole model.
Are your projects SAG-AFTRA compliant?
Yes. We work across SAG-AFTRA theatrical, television, commercial and microbudget agreements, and with non-union productions where the project calls for it.
What is your typical turnaround?
Curated initial tapes are typically delivered within 3 to 5 business days of the script breakdown, depending on the size of the search.
Do you handle background casting?
We specialize in principal roles. For background, we will gladly refer you to a vetted partner office.
Do you handle talent payroll?
No. Production payroll stays with your payroll company. We deliver selects and deal information, and your team books and pays talent directly.
Production Intake
Send the brief.
Tell us about the project. Bids and confirmation come back within one business day.