AVAILABILITY INQUIRES AND BOOKINGS

Availability inquiries.

Availability inquiries are sent to background artists via SMS text and email. Performers are asked to respond as soon as possible and let the Casting Director know if they are either available or not available. Film and television production moves at a fast pace, so prompt communication with Casting Directors is essential for background artists to receive booking opportunities. 

Casting Directors send out availability inquiries to background artists who are appropriate for the project they're casting. Each production will have different requirements for their background roles. Performers may be selected because of their look, sizing, skills or availability, and often it is a combination of all of those factors.

Please read through all of the information contained in the availability inquiries as these details will always be different for each production. Availability inquiries contain the preliminary details for the work opportunity such as date, location, pay rate, estimated work hours, etc. 

It's important that performers always respond to availability inquiries, even if they are not available. Background artists who do not respond to availability inquires may be inactivated and will no longer receive messages regarding work opportunities.

Please review the following standard work day requirements for when you're employed as a background artist.

Production work hours.

When background artists are booked to work on a film or television production for a day, they must be available to start as early as 6 or 7 in the morning and have the entire day and night clear of any other obligations. Productions may shoot 12 to 14 hours and performers must be available to stay and work for as long as they’re needed. Also, most productions shoot during the week Monday through Friday, very few productions shoot on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Note that if background artists are booked for a night shoot they must be prepared to work all through the night and finish during the morning hours. 

Never accept a booking unless you are absolutely sure that you can commit to working the required hours.

Booking and preliminary details.

When you’re booked to work on a production you'll first be given preliminary information which includes your estimated start time, basic location details and wardrobe requirements. 

Once you accept a booking we ask that you fulfill your commitment to the Casting Director and the production. If there is an issue that prevents you from working, please contact the Casting Director immediately.

All background artists, actors and crew members receive their final details the evening prior to the work day. This information is known as your "call time details". 

Call time details.

Final call time details are always distributed the evening prior to the day you’re scheduled to work. Call time details include the time you must report to work as well as your exact report location, your contact name, your detailed wardrobe notes and any other information you need for your day on set.

Always respond as soon as possible and confirm that you've received your call time details.

Please make sure you read all of the information you're sent as the details will be different for each booking. 

Transportation.

All background artists are responsible for their own transportation. If you don’t have access to a vehicle, please do not accept a booking unless you’re absolutely sure that you’re able to arrange transportation to the shooting location by the estimated start time. 

If you're planning on taking public transit always check the transit schedules prior to accepting the booking. Please contact TransLink for transit information in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

Wardrobe, props and vehicles.

Most bookings require background artists to provide their own wardrobe to wear on camera. If you've been booked in a uniform position or for a period production, you will be dressed by the Costume department. In some situations background artists may also be asked to bring vehicles or props with them as well. Please review Department Requirements for more information.

Be on time for work.

Always report for your bookings on time and sign-in with your contact person as soon as you arrive. Please review Working On Set for information on what you can expect during your work day.

Film terminology

Take a look at the definitions of Film Terminology that you’ll hear while working on set.