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How to Write a Good Casting Brief in Aida

To get the strongest results, keep your brief clear, specific, and unambiguous.

1. Be Clear About What You Want

Write your brief as if you're describing it to a real casting director:

  • •"Female models, 35–45."
  • •"London-based only."
  • •"Healthy, elegant, sophisticated look."
  • •"Diverse backgrounds."

Avoid vague phrases like "cool vibe" unless it's genuinely part of the brief and accompanied with specific casting requirements.

2. Format Your Brief Clearly

You can write your brief in paragraphs as if you were emailing a model agency or list out requirements. Aim to keep production notes clearly separated from casting requirements for best results.

You can include things like:

  • – Photographer
  • – Publication / brand
  • – Usage
  • – Rate and travel notes
  • – Mood / creative direction

Example of a clean format:

  • – Female models, 20–30
  • – London-based
  • – Healthy skin, no freckles
  • – Diverse backgrounds
  • – Confident, elegant look

Production Notes:

  • – Photographer: Richard Avedon
  • – Editorial for Puss Puss Magazine
  • – Rate £250 – No travel budget

Or written as a paragraph:

"We're looking for London-based female models aged 20–30 with healthy, elegant skin and a confident look. Open to diverse backgrounds. This is for an editorial with Richard Avedon for Puss Puss Magazine, and there's no travel budget."

Both work—the important thing is that your requirements are clear, without adding redundant text.

3. Reduce Ambiguity

If something is optional, say it:

  • •"Prefer Asian or mix-heritage models, but open if the look fits."
  • •"No travel budget – models must be in the same country as the shoot."
  • •"Europe-only travel budget – models must be Europe-based."

The clearer you are, the fewer assumptions Aida has to make.

4. Give Context

Giving context helps Aida understand the type of job and produce better suggestions. If known, include:

  • •Photographer / director (e.g., "Alasdair McLellan")
  • •Publication / brand
  • •Shoot type (editorial, e-comm, campaign, beauty, runway)

5. Describe the Look in Plain Language

Avoid overly poetic or metaphorical descriptions.

Good examples:

  • "Strong cheekbones, sharp jawline."
  • "Youthful, clean skin."

Bad examples:

  • "A girl that feels like Sunday morning."
  • "Models who look like a dream."

6. Multiple Talent Briefs

If your brief requires multiple groups of talent, Aida will automatically open the Multiple Models tab and label each casting requirement.

Example:

If you write something like:

  • – 20 dancers
  • – Male + female
  • – Aged 18+
  • – Dance ability
  • – Also 1 blonde female with freckles

Aida will recognise that you are looking for two distinct groups:

  1. A large group of dancers (open gender, 18+, general dance capability)
  2. One specific model (blonde female with freckles)

The Multiple Models tab shows these groups separately so the results stay clean and accurate. Ensure you clearly separate each individual casting requirement so Aida can distinguish between different talent groups.

Full Examples

Example of a good casting brief:

"We're casting for an editorial and need female models aged 25–35, based in London, with distinctive features such as freckles, gap teeth, or big eyes etc. Suggestions should be diverse. We also need one additional female model aged 20–30, also London-based, with short dark hair and a sharp, editorial look. This shoot is with photographer Harley Weir for AnOther Magazine. There is no travel budget, so all talent must be UK-based, and the rate is £300 with no flexibility."

Example of a bad casting brief:

"Looking for interesting women, clean energy, nice style, London optional. Need 3–4. Maybe older but not too old. Natural beauty but unique too."

This is too vague, conflicting, and unclear.

That's it! Enjoy using Aida, and if you run into any issues or have feedback, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help make your casting process as smooth as possible.