What it does
Backstage is a comprehensive marketplace for talent in the entertainment industry. The app allows actors, models, voiceover artists, and creators to discover and apply for a wide range of casting calls and jobs. Its core function is a powerful job board that connects talent with casting directors and producers.
Where it shines
Backstage excels in its robust search and filtering capabilities. At 01:53, the user opens a detailed filter panel that goes far beyond simple keywords, allowing them to narrow down jobs by gender, age range, location, compensation, production type, and even specific skills. The ability to sort the feed by criteria like 'Audition Date' (01:48) further empowers users to find the most relevant and timely opportunities. The app also features a smart multi-profile system (06:05), allowing a single user to maintain separate, tailored profiles for different disciplines like acting and voiceover work.
UX highlights
- Actionable Feed: Job cards are not static. Users can directly save (03:35) or hide (04:26) jobs from the feed, providing immediate control and personalization.
- Saved Searches: Instead of repeating complex filter configurations, users can save a search (02:53) to receive notifications for matching jobs, turning a manual task into an automated one.
- Clear Navigation: A persistent bottom navigation bar provides quick access to key app sections: Jobs, Saved, Applications, Messages, and Profile.
- Modular Categories: the main job feed uses a horizontal scrolling filter bar at the top for high-level categories like Acting, Voiceover, Crew, and Modeling, making it easy to switch contexts.
- Informative Job Previews: The job cards in the feed provide essential information at a glance, including job type, pay status, location, and title, helping users quickly scan for relevance.
- Reversible Actions: When a user hides a job, a toast notification with an 'Undo' button appears, which is a great UX pattern that builds user confidence.
Monetization & growth
The app's monetization strategy is built around a subscription model. A soft paywall is presented early in the onboarding flow (01:17) but allows users to bypass it to explore the app. The real conversion trigger is contextual: when a user tries to perform a key action like applying for a job (03:53) or viewing key details, they are prompted to subscribe. The paywall offers three tiers with a discount on the annual plan to incentivize a longer commitment.
Who it’s for
This app is clearly designed for aspiring and professional talent in the creative industries. This includes screen and stage actors, voiceover artists, models, content creators, and production crew. The detailed filtering and specialized profile options cater to users who are serious about finding paid work and managing their careers. It serves both those just starting out and established professionals looking for their next gig.
Notes & opportunities
The app is powerful, but the initial experience could be improved. After bypassing the onboarding paywall, the user is dropped into a dense feed of jobs. Showing a brief tutorial or highlighting the filter and save features could help new users get more value out of the app faster. Additionally, while the filter panel is comprehensive, its length requires significant scrolling on a mobile device (01:57); organizing it with collapsible sections could improve usability.