- Understanding the Casting Process
- Eligibility Requirements
- Preparing Your Application
- What Casting Directors are Looking For
- Audition Tips
- Behind the Scenes
- Staying Updated
- The Impact of Squid Game
In September 2021 the world was taken by a storm by what quickly became a global cultural phenomenon - the South Korean thriller series Squid Game.
Squid Game's plot revolves around a secret contest where hundreds of players risk their lives to play a series of deadly versions of Korean children's games to win a ₩45.6 billion prize, thus fixing their financial hardships.
Following its first 9-episode season release, in just four weeks Squid Games became streaming giant Netflix's most-watched series of all time. During this about a month-long period, the Hwang Dong-hyuk created drama that was viewed more than 1.65 billion hours.
To a huge fanfare, the critically acclaimed series was renewed for a second season in June 2022, with production starting a year later. The story will pick up where it left off at the finale of the first season while taking a deeper look into Seong Gi-hun's character. In August 2023, Netflix revealed that after the three-year hiatus, the next season of Squid Games will premiere on December 26, 2024, as well as announced that the series will end with the third season.
Meanwhile, in November 2023, a reality competition series based on the hit drama premiered on Netflix - Squid Game: The Challenge. The show's first season featured 456 players, which was the largest cast in reality TV history. They all competed in the games depicted in the drama series, without the lethal consequences, with the winning prize being 4.56 million dollars. At the time, it was the largest cash prize in TV history.
Squid Game: The Challenge was a hit, and the reality series was renewed for a second season before the first's finale, on December 6, 2023.
Understanding the Casting Process
Once another season of Squid Game: The Challenge was greenlit, the application process was ready to begin. Casting calls were announced on the official Squid Game Casting website, as well as all the top online casting platforms, like AllCasting.
The second season of the competition will once again feature 456 contestants, so the doors are open for every aspiring candidate - as long as they fit the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to get cast in Squid Game: The Challenge season 2, competitors have to meet various casting requirements. Importantly, to get cast for competing in Squid Game: The Challenge, candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of applying.
While applicants of any race or ethnicity can apply from all over the world, the filming itself takes place in London for a specific period of time. This means the chosen candidates will need to be available to participate in those exact dates, as well as having a valid passport, and, if cast, permits for travel from the respective country.
Besides that, the candidates will have to submit a one-minute video introduction video, where they share details about their strategy for participating in the game and how they would utilize the cash prize if they win in it.
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Preparing Your Application
It is highly important for candidates to present themselves to the casting staff in a compelling manner from the very get-go. That can be accomplished by creating a professional portfolio that should be included with the application for the casting call.
The portfolio should include the candidate’s biography which highlights their experience and skills, as well as a resume.
Writing an engaging application letter for a casting call is also important in order to make a strong impression on casting directors. Candidates should first research their role so they can tailor their letter effectively, as well as use professional formatting while doing so. The letter should introduce them as actors, as well as reveal their motivations.
Finally, a portfolio should include professional headshots, as well as footage from performances or auditions if available. It serves as an introduction to the candidate’s appearance, and the high quality is another way to convey the potential competitors' professionalism to the casting directors.
What Casting Directors are Looking For
The two primary criteria that every casting director assesses for each candidate is talent and experience. Later on, the display of professionalism and a positive demeanor during auditions is surely to make a performer stand out amongst their initial competition.
Many of the standout contestants of Season 1 had altruistic intentions regarding the possible winning of the prize, yet also displayed wit regarding their participation in the challenging contests.
Participants who possess unique skills or talents relevant to specific challenges can stand out significantly. From physical form to problem-solving abilities, showcasing these skills during competitions can make a contestant stand out.
Audition Tips
One of the most important aspects of preparing for the audition is having a compelling personal story, including five facts about what makes the candidate unique. This can potentially include personal experiences or motivations for wanting to participate in the competition.
Potential candidates can prepare for an audition beforehand by testing monologue techniques and doing various exercises, including public speaking and improvisation to successfully be able to adapt to the potential tasks.
It is important for candidates to try and be their authentic selves since the casting staff are more likely to be looking for a unique and relatable competitor, instead of those who try to recreate a certain type of character.
Behind the Scenes
Season 1's contestants cite the unexpected emotional impact they felt during the course of challenges, leading them to find motivation in their own past experiences or memories of loved ones waiting for them to return. Following the end of the participation, many emphasized personal growth and newfound perspectives on life, including feeling more confident in social situations or having gained clarity about their life goals.
The 16 days of the Season 1 production included filming for competitions every day, approximately between 8 AM and 11 PM. Unlike other productions, cameras captured contestant experiences continuously, without the traditional shooting breaks. This added to their competitive atmosphere.
Akin to the drama series, the dynamic between competition and camaraderie of the contestants is a central theme of the Squid Game: The Challenge. In order to be successful, contestants have to learn to work together and form alliances, while often leaping between ruthless rivalries and newfound friendships.
Staying Updated
It has never been easier to follow new casting calls and updates as it is now, with online possibilities allowing you to check up on those daily. Casting websites, including AllCasting, also offer the option to set up email notifications based on the user's individual preferences.
Of course, for updates regarding Squid Game: The Challenge casting calls it would be recommended to also follow their official website and social media accounts.
Finally, the show has a huge online community on various platforms, where aspiring contestants can look for tips and support from other fans and enthusiasts.
The Impact of Squid Game
Participating in Squid Game: The Challenge can be a life-changing experience for contestants. One of the most immediate ways for that is through financial gain - even making it far in the competition can provide financial relief, let alone winning it all.
As mentioned above, participation can also lead to self-growth and empowerment. Of course, exposure from taking part in the reality series can lead to public recognition, and even brand partnerships, or job offers in showbiz.
Squid Game: The Challenge has been viewed as an innovative expansion of the franchise that introduces new audiences to the themes first tackled during the drama series. It has helped to evolve the perceptions of reality television by also being thought-provoking, and reflecting on contemporary societal dynamics.
Conclusion
Be sure to apply to Squid Game: The Challenge for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can go even beyond its lucrative cash prize. With the high stakes, yet none of the lethality of the hit-scripted series, it will be an unforgettable experience.
Applications for the Season 2 of Squid Game: The Challenge are now open.
