Casting Director

Job Overview

Kuku is building a high-volume, high-velocity content engine across micro-dramas, OTT series, and performance-led ad films. The Casting Director will play a critical role in identifying, onboarding, and managing acting talent that can deliver high-impact performances quickly, consistently, and at scale.

This role goes beyond traditional casting. It requires an understanding of short-form storytelling, emotional hooks, repeatable character archetypes, and the realities of

Key Responsibilities

Casting for Microdramas & OTT Content

Cast actors for serialized micro-dramas (1–3 min episodes) and long-form OTT shows.

Identify talent suited for recurring roles, archetypal characters, and fast-shoot schedules.

Maintain consistency of casting across multi-episode and multi-season formats.

Casting for Ads & Performance Marketing Content

Cast actors for short-form ad films, reels, and distribution-first content.

Understand casting needs for Power Starts, hooks, cliffhangers, and high-impact moments.

Work closely with marketing and growth teams to cast talent that performs well on social platforms.

Talent Discovery & Database Building

Build and manage a diverse, scalable talent pool including:

• emerging actors
• theatre talent
• digital creators
• non-traditional performers suited for short-form formats

Maintain updated databases with reels, performance notes, availability, and past performance.

Auditions & Selection

Design and run efficient audition processes (self-tapes, virtual auditions, rapid callbacks).

Evaluate actors on:

• emotional range
• screen presence
• delivery speed
• suitability for short-format storytelling

Collaborate with directors, writers, and producers on final casting decisions.

On-Set & Production Collaboration

Coordinate with production teams on:

• shoot schedules
• availability
• contracts and paperwork

Support directors during shoots to ensure performance alignment with story intent.

Manage recasts and quick replacements when required.

Budget & Commercial Alignment

Cast within tight budgets and timelines.

Balance performance quality with commercial constraints.

Negotiate fees in alignment with project scale and usage (OTT, ads, social).

Trend Awareness & Market Insight

Stay updated on:

• emerging acting talent
• digital creators transitioning to acting
• casting trends in short-form and OTT content
• Provide input into new character archetypes and casting-led storytelling opportunities.
  
  

Experience

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 4–8+ years of experience in casting in films, OTT platforms, web series, ads / branded content
• Prior experience with short-form, high-volume content is a strong plus.
  
  

Skills & Traits

• Strong eye for performance and emotional authenticity
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, experimental environments
• Excellent network across casting agents, talent managers, and actors
• Highly organized and process-driven
• Clear communication and negotiation skills
  
  

Mindset Fit (Important)

• Comfortable with iteration and testing
• Not precious about traditional casting hierarchies
• Excited by new formats, new faces, and speed
• Understands that casting is a distribution and performance lever, not just a creative one
  
  

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work in a fast-growing audio and content platform.
• Exposure to multi-language marketing and global user base strategies.
• A collaborative work environment with a data-driven and innovative approach.
• Competitive salary and growth opportunities in marketing and growth strategy.
  
  

About KUKU

Founded in 2018, KUKU is India’s leading storytelling platform, offering a vast digital library of audio stories, short courses, and microdramas. KUKU aims to be India’s largest cultural exporter of stories, culture and history to the world with a firm belief in “Create In India, Create For The World”.

We deliver immersive entertainment and education through our OTT platforms: Kuku FM, Guru, Kuku TV, and more. With a mission to provide high-quality, personalized stories across genres from entertainment across multiple formats and languages, KUKU continues to push boundaries and redefine India’s entertainment industry.

🌐 Website: www.kukufm.com

📱 Android App: Google Play

📱 iOS App: App Store

🔗 LinkedIn: KUKU

📢 Ready to make an impact? Apply now!

Skills: talent discovery,entertainment,casting,short form content,storytelling,market insights,auditions,high volume content,network,trend awareness,production collaboration