CastFilm

CastFilm is a term used in film and media studies to denote a standardized approach to recording and accessing information about performers in motion pictures and television. It can refer to both a hypothetical database and a set of data standards designed to describe cast and their roles in a consistent, interoperable way.

The scope of CastFilm covers principal and supporting cast, recurring guest stars, stunt performers, and body doubles, as well as notable cameos. Each entry typically includes the performer’s name, character name, role_type (for example, lead, supporting, or cameo), billing order, and screen time. Additional metadata may include episode counts for series, release dates, production country, language, union status, agency, and nationality. Data sources often involve studio records, guild and union databases, press materials, and official credits.

Standards associated with CastFilm emphasize unique identifiers for people and productions, structured role descriptors, and machine-readable formats to enable interoperability with existing film credit databases and streaming platforms. The approach supports multilingual captioning, versioned credits, and exportable data through APIs or downloadable files, facilitating integration with casting software, rights management systems, and research tools.

Applications of CastFilm include use by studios, casting offices, film libraries, researchers, and streaming services. It aims to improve accuracy in attribution, enhance searchability, assist in rights and royalty administration, and enable analysis of casting patterns, diversity, and career trajectories. Governance may involve a standards body or a consortium of studios, guilds, and data providers to maintain the schema and ensure consistency across platforms.