DIGITAL DOUBLE CASTING & AI TALENT CLEARANCE
Scan-ready performers for virtual production, VFX and digital-replica workflows. MXM sources and manages performers for productions creating digital doubles, virtual humans, photogrammetry assets and other forms of digital replication — with consent, usage and production requirements considered from the outset. For production companies, VFX teams, agencies, virtual production studios and brands. MXM provides casting services to productions. We do not represent talent.
DIGITAL DOUBLE CASTING FOR MODERN PRODUCTION
Digital-double casting sits somewhere between traditional casting, VFX production and rights management.
The person being cast may need to perform on camera, complete a photogrammetry or volumetric scan, provide movement or reference material, or allow aspects of their likeness to be reproduced digitally.
That means the casting process needs to consider more than appearance alone.
MXM can source performers who fit the creative brief while also helping the production establish the practical requirements around scanning, performance, availability, consent and intended use.
WHAT IS A DIGITAL DOUBLE?
A digital double is a digital representation of a real person created for use within a production.
Depending on the project, this might involve photography, photogrammetry, body scanning, facial capture, motion capture or other forms of digital asset creation.
Digital doubles can be used for visual effects, virtual production, advertising, film, games, branded content and other digital workflows.
The exact process varies considerably between productions, so casting should begin with a clear understanding of what will be captured, how the resulting material will be used and what the performer is being asked to agree to.
CASTING FOR VIRTUAL PRODUCTION & VFX
The right performer for a digital-double brief is not always the same person you would cast for a conventional on-camera role.
A production may need:
• precise height or body proportions
• close physical matches for principal performers
• body doubles and stand-ins
• specific movement or physical skills
• performers comfortable with scanning environments
• people available for repeat capture sessions
• facial or body reference talent
• performers for virtual production testing
• specialist or unusual physical characteristics
• real people or professional performers depending on the project
MXM can build the search around those technical requirements rather than relying solely on traditional casting criteria.
SCAN-READY PERFORMERS
Scanning sessions can be highly technical environments.
Performers may be required to remain still for extended periods, follow precise positioning instructions, repeat movements, wear specific wardrobe or capture clothing, remove jewellery or makeup, or work within highly controlled studio conditions.
We screen candidates against the practical requirements of the capture process wherever possible before presenting them to production.
The aim is straightforward: send people who understand what the session involves and are realistically able to complete it.
DIGITAL REPLICA RIGHTS & PERFORMER CONSENT
Digital-replica work requires particularly clear communication with performers.
A contributor needs to understand what is being captured, why it is being captured and how the resulting digital material may be used.
That can include considerations around:
• likeness
• facial and body scans
• performance capture
• synthetic or digitally generated representations
• intended media
• territory
• duration
• exclusivity
• reuse
• modification
• future applications of captured material
Casting is not a substitute for legal advice, but the casting process should make sure these questions are identified early and communicated clearly to both production and performer.
Where specialist legal documentation is required, the production should use appropriate legal counsel.
CLEAR CHAIN-OF-TITLE
For productions creating reusable digital assets, documentation matters.
A clear chain-of-title helps establish who has agreed to what and under which conditions the captured material may be used.
MXM can support the production by keeping performer communication, casting information, approvals and agreed usage requirements organised throughout the casting process.
The objective is to avoid a situation where a technically successful scan later becomes difficult to use because the original casting and consent process was unclear.
AI, SYNTHETIC MEDIA & DIGITAL LIKENESS
As production technology develops, performers are increasingly being asked to participate in projects where their image, voice, movement or likeness may interact with AI-assisted or synthetic-media workflows.
Those briefs need particular care.
The production should be able to explain what is being created, how the performer's contribution will be used and whether the resulting asset may be altered, reused or incorporated into future material.
MXM approaches these briefs as rights-sensitive casting projects rather than ordinary performer bookings.
Clear expectations at the beginning make the production process considerably easier later.
HOW DIGITAL DOUBLE CASTING WORKS
01 — TECHNICAL BRIEF We establish the physical, creative and technical requirements of the performer, including capture method, dates, location and intended use.
02 — RIGHTS & USAGE REQUIREMENTS The production clarifies what will be captured and the proposed media, territory, duration, reuse and digital-replica requirements.
03 — TARGETED SEARCH MXM sources suitable performers through professional talent networks, direct research, specialist searches and real-person casting where appropriate.
04 — SCREENING Candidates are checked against physical requirements, availability, capture conditions and any specific performance or technical demands.
05 — SELECTION & CLEARANCE Preferred performers are confirmed and the production finalises fees, usage, agreements and required permissions.
06 — PRODUCTION HANDOVER MXM provides the production with the agreed casting information and supports communication through to the capture session.
BUILT FOR PRODUCERS, VFX TEAMS & VIRTUAL PRODUCTION STUDIOS
Digital-double casting works best when the creative, technical and production teams are aligned early.
A useful brief should include:
• required physical characteristics
• capture method
• shoot or scan dates
• studio or location
• wardrobe or preparation requirements
• intended media
• territory
• duration
• exclusivity
• proposed digital-replica usage
• performer fee and usage budget
• whether the asset may be reused or modified
• any specialist movement or performance requirements
The more specific the technical information, the more accurately the casting search can be built.
COMMERCIAL, FILM & VIRTUAL PRODUCTION APPLICATIONS
Digital-double and scan-ready performer casting can be used across:
• TV commercials
• branded content
• film and television
• VFX-heavy productions
• virtual production
• photogrammetry
• motion and performance capture
• digital humans
• synthetic media
• interactive content
• games and immersive production
• previsualisation and technical testing
The casting route depends on what the production actually needs to create.
DIGITAL DOUBLES, BODY DOUBLES & STAND-INS
Some productions need more than a digital scan.
MXM can also source body doubles, physical matches, stand-ins and specialist performers for commercial, film, VFX and virtual-production workflows.
These searches can be extremely specific — height, build, hair, skin tone, movement, costume measurements or physical resemblance may all matter.
Where required, we can combine conventional casting with direct research and specialist sourcing to widen the search.
NOT EVERY DIGITAL DOUBLE BRIEF STARTS WITH AN ACTOR
Sometimes the right person is a professional performer.
Sometimes the production needs a precise physical match, a specialist athlete, a particular body type, a real person or someone who has never worked on camera before.
MXM can search across traditional talent sources and outside them.
The aim is not to squeeze a technical brief into a conventional casting model. It is to find the person who actually fits the production.
NEED COMMERCIAL OR REAL-PEOPLE CASTING TOO?
PLANNING A DIGITAL DOUBLE OR VIRTUAL PRODUCTION PROJECT?
Send us the technical requirements, capture dates and intended use and we’ll help build the right casting approach.