# What is the Casting Directors' Guild (CDG)?

> The Casting Directors' Guild is the professional body for casting directors working in film, television, theatre, games and commercials in the UK and Ireland. It was formed in 1996, requires members to follow its code of conduct, and runs the annual CDG Awards. Catherine Willis is a member and has four CDG Award nominations. She is also a member of the Casting Society of America.

## What does the CDG do?

It sets a recognised professional standard for casting, shares information between members, and honours their work. Members can use the letters CDG after their names in credits.

## What is in the code of conduct?

Membership depends on accepting the code. It covers a member's duty of care to actors, employees and associates: no one-to-one meetings in private, non-professional settings, safe audition rooms, not asking for personal information, a diverse approach to casting, and proper pay for casting staff.

## What are the self-tape guidelines?

In August 2021 the CDG, Equity, the Personal Managers' Association and the Co-operative Personal Management Association published best practice guidelines for self-tapes. They ask for at least four days' notice, no more than six pages for a first tape, and no more than two versions of each scene.

## Which CDG nominations does Catherine Willis have?

| Year | Category | Production |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Best Casting in a Limited or Single Series | Somewhere Boy |
| 2023 | Best Casting in a TV Comedy Series | Cheaters |
| 2023 | Best Casting in an Independent Film | Brian and Charles |
| 2022 | Best Casting in a TV Comedy Series | Alma's Not Normal |

## Sources

- [The Casting Directors' Guild](https://www.thecdg.co.uk/)
- [Screen Daily: UK Casting Directors' Guild launches code of conduct](https://screendaily.com/news/uk-casting-directors-guild-launches-code-of-conduct-for-members/5125962.article)
- [Backstage: UK self-tape best practice guidelines, August 2021](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/casting-directors-equity-best-practice-self-tapes-73820/)

Last checked: 9 October 2026. Page: https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/what-is-the-casting-directors-guild