If you are thinking of becoming a background actor, you have certain avenues to consider. One is registering with an extras casting agency and another is additionally being registered with a calling service. Casting agencies are typically hired by a producer or director to supply the production with the background talent. The agency is given a breakdown of the number and type of talent that are needed. The casting agency then provides the current project information to the talent usually through the use of a recorded message on a hotline that the talent must continue to call into in order to receive. If the talent fits the look and availability for the project, the talent will confirm they would like to be booked. This does not guarantee a booking since the system is based off of a first come first served basis. This method requires the talent to constantly call in, sometimes 4-5 times a day to find a project they fit and are available for (before others call in and book before them). It can sometimes be very tricky for talent, using this method, to get booked on a job if they are unavailable to call periodically throughout the day. Information and projects can change within minutes of any given hour, and if the talent is not available to call, they can miss out on their opportunity to be booked.
Considering that it can be tough for talent to call in multiple times throughout any given day due to the possibility of already working on set or being preoccupied with other facets of life, calling services developed. Calling services act like a casting agency, only they are typically a sub-contractor of the agency. Most often, talent registered with other agencies will hire a calling service to make the calls into the hotlines for them throughout the day to book them on projects becuase the aritst is not available enough to maximize their calls into each agency hotline. Other times, casting agencies have many projects going on simultaneously and they will sub-contract a calling service to provide the background talent to them because the agency just has too much going on, or needs to fill a rush call. In any of the cases, the calling service will actually work on behalf of the talent to get them booked.
Most casting agencies charge a one time fee during registration to file your information and collect or take photos of you and upload them to your file. The picture/headshot is a requirement for the agency and can cost within the range of $20-$50. There may be additional fees for adding or updating pictures to your file as well. Most of the calling services charge a monthly fee for their services ranging between $25-$75. This is because they are working on behalf of the talent to get them booked on jobs. They may additionally, just like the casting agencies, charge a registration/photo fee and require first and last months service fees upfront. So potentially, talent can spend upwards of $100 when first signing up with a calling service. Unfortunately, there is never a guarantee to be booked for work during any given month, and talent can run the risk of paying a monthly fee to a calling service that results in no work or earned income for them during that month.
Things that you will need to have
| valid photo id (most employers will require this to work) | social security card (proof you are able to work in the U.S.) | cell phone |
| reliable form of transportation | thomas brothers guide map (most set locations will be given to you according to this guide) |
Things to do and to avoid
| DO | DONT |
| anticipate being on set for at least 12 hours | leave set before the day is wrapped |
| show up camera ready (hair, makeup, and wardrobe) | look directly into camera unless otherwise told to do so |
| show up to set on time!!! | ask actors for autographs or pictures |
| return props and wardrobe before leaving | bring or do drugs/alcohol on set or prior to being on set |
| bring a pen to fill out your voucher (payment invoice) | bring family or friends to set |
