BACKGROUND ARTIST'S GUIDE

Availability Inquiries

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

Please always respond to availability inquiries as soon as possible and indicate if you 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.

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

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

Production Work Hours

Film and television productions often shoot 12 to 14 hours a day and background artists must be available to work for as long as they’re needed. Performers must be able to start work very early, often as early as 6 or 7 in the morning and sometimes earlier, and have the entire day and night clear of any other obligations. The majority of productions shoot during the week Monday through Friday, very few productions shoot on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Note that if a background artist is booked for a night shoot they must be prepared to start in the afternoon and work all through the night, finishing in 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 first booked to work on a production you'll be given preliminary information which includes your estimated start time, basic location details, wardrobe requirements and any other relevant information. All background artists, actors and crew members will receive their final call time details the evening prior to the work day.

Once you accept a booking please fulfill your commitment to the Casting Director and the production. They are counting on you being there! If there is ever an issue that prevents you from working, please contact the Casting Director immediately. You can find their contact information in your call time details message.

Call Time Details

Final call time details are always distributed the evening prior to the day performers are scheduled to work. Call time details will include your final start time, 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. Please make sure you read all of the information as the details will be different for each booking. 

Note that if the production shoots later or finishes earlier than expected, the call times for the next day may be adjusted; either “pushed” to a later time or “pulled” to an earlier time. If this happens you will be contacted with your new start time.

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

Please report for your booking by your call time and sign-in with your contact person as soon as you arrive. If you are going to be late for work, please contact the Casting Director immediately. You can find their contact information in your call time details message.

Please review Working On-Set for information on what you can expect during your work day.

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 contact TransLink for transit schedules prior to accepting a booking. 

Wardrobe, Props and Vehicles

Background artists are required to provide their own wardrobe to wear on camera. Always bring three full outfit options of the requested wardrobe including outerwear, footwear and accessories. You will only be dressed by the Costume department if you've been booked for a specific costume or for a uniform position.

Note that for some bookings, productions will request that performers bring their own props or vehicles with them to use during the scene.

Please review Department Requirements for more information.

Film Terminology

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

Background Artist's Guide

Please review these other pages of the Background Artist's Guide:

Creating Your Performer Profile

Payroll & Residency Documents

Availability Inquiries & Bookings

Working On-Set

Department Requirements

Film Terminology

Frequently Asked Questions