Cast Away

WELCOME TO DOTCASTING.COM, a new casting website aimed at all manner of skilful folk in the Middle East.

Dotcasting launched offline 10 months ago as a division of Mediacubed, a Dubai-based social and professional network aimed at the media industry.

Since then, the company has acquired a database of 9,300 members and cast talent in big-budget productions such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and a $16 million TV remake of Sinbad.

Tomorrow, the website will become fully operational – allowing users to build a portfolio, find and manage bookings, receive industry news and use an instant chat service.

City Times spoke with Adam Ridgway, the 30-year-old managing director of The Mediacubed Group, to find out more about his new enterprise.

Are there any restrictions on who can join Dotcasting.com?

Absolutely not. Anyone who has a passion for the talent industry – singers, songwriters, actors, artists, models, musicians, performers, DJs, stylists, photographers, event/talent/advertising/PR/production companies – can use the platform. It’s an interactive dynasty for anyone working in the industry.

Which performers did you supply for the new Mission Impossible movie and how did this deal come about?

Working alongside Filmworks production company in Dubai, Mediacubed and Dotcasting were the exclusive online casting partners for Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. We supplied cast for 1,033 roles, varying from actors to extras. The whole of Dubai was filled with this huge positive energy, and this became the catalyst to explore the idea of expanding our business.

Do you see Dubai enhancing its international presence in TV and cinema in the next five years?

Without question. If you look through our database, you’d be amazed at how much talent there is here, from a multitude of ethnicities and backgrounds – much like the UAE in general. The next five years, if nurtured correctly, will see the UAE explode with international productions, but most importantly it will encourage local producers and directors to focus on our homeland to create their content.

Can you tell us the joining fees for Dotcasting.com?

The fees are very simple. We do not charge talent or our clients commission or a percentage for their work. Instead, our fees are Dhs100 per month for talent (or Dhs1,000 per year), and Dhs1,000 per month for companies (or Dhs10,000 per year). All companies agree to pay talent within 30 days and we do not offer free work to our database. Our final USP is that anyone who refers members gets paid 10 per cent of that person’s monthly or yearly fee. With the average Facebook member having 250 friends, this is a healthy bonus to their monthly income.

How can you ensure companies using Dotcasting.com end up with quality talent rather than duds?

Great question! Each member has a profile, a 3D portfolio, to expose their experience, pictures, showreels and abilities, which can be broadcast to the world. They don’t need to invest in their own websites and then try to market them. The Dotcasting.com process has a wonderful element of automated shortlisting, so the company can pinpoint who they need for their production. For larger or more specific productions, some companies want a personal talent manager – we offer this service as well.