BACKGROUND ARTIST'S GUIDE

Prior to creating your performer profile, please read through the Background Artist's Guide so you understand the job responsibilities, communication protocols and performance expectations.

Once you know that background work is right for you, please create your performer profile with The Casting Collective!

Who can create a profile with The Casting Collective

In order to create a performer profile with The Casting Collective, you must currently reside in British Columbia or Alberta, Canada and have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number. We are unable to accept performer profiles for individuals who don't meet those requirements.

Payroll and residency document requirements

Please review the information regarding Payroll & Residency Documents to ensure your eligible for opportunities through The Casting Collective.

Mandatory information on performer profiles

There are mandatory fields that must be completed in order for your performer profile to be submitted to Casting Directors for consideration. Profiles must be completed within two weeks, and after that time incomplete profiles will be automatically deleted from the platform.

When you create your performer profile your valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required in order to verify your eligibility to work in Canada. Please note that Social Insurance Numbers are only visible to production's payroll departments, and only after you have completed a booking. The information listed on your profile is accessed by the payroll department to issue your payments. The Casting Collective utilizes EP's Casting Portal technology which maintains military-grade security to protect the personal data of background artists.

If you are visiting Canada and have a work permit, you will need to upload copies of your valid work permit and SIN document to your profile for the payroll departments to verify your eligibility for employment. Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) that start with a 9 indicate that a work permit and SIN document are required.

Your complete home mailing address is required on your profile for production's payroll departments to access when issuing payments. Note that addresses must be complete and contain a unit or suite number (if applicable), city and postal code.

Every performer profile requires a unique email address. Multiple profiles can not share the same email address. If you are a parent or legal guardian managing profiles for your children or teenagers, please have their profile's email address forward to your personal email so you don’t miss any messages.

Note that there is no save button located on your profile, information is automatically saved once it is entered or selected. The border of the field will appear green if the information has saved correctly. If there is an issue with the information you are entering a notification will appear or the border of the field will turn red.

Multi-factor Authentication is required

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is required for all background artist profiles as well as production accounts. MFA significantly enhances security providing an extra layer of protection and reduces the risk of unauthorized access by requiring multiple factors for authentication. 

If you haven't already set up MFA on your performer profile, please go to the welcome page and reset your password first using the email address associated with your profile. You'll then be prompted to set up MFA for your profile. 

Please visit EP MFA Support for more information regarding Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).

Children and teenagers

Only parents or legal guardians can create performer profiles for children and teenagers who are 17 years of age or younger. Children and teenagers can not create their own profiles.

In order to consider anyone 17 years of age or younger, Casting Directors require permission from a parent or legal guardian. Depending on their age, children and teenagers have a limited number of work hours and may require a parent or legal guardian to be in attendance during their work day.

All children and teenagers must have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number. Please visit the Service Canada website for more information on how to apply for a Canadian Social Insurance Number.

Please note that once a minor turns 18 years old, they are required to create a new performer profile for themselves as an adult.

Performer photos and details

Casting Directors will consider you for background roles based on the way you appear in your photos, as well as your experience, skills and physical sizing you have listed on your profile. All of this information must be kept up-to-date on your profile. These details help Casting Directors place performers in appropriate background roles that best suit them.

Your main Headshot photo and Full Body photo on your profile must always reflect your current look. If you change your hairstyle, facial hair or anything else that alters your appearance, please update your Headshot and Full Body photos as soon as possible. In addition, you can also upload an additional 25 images of yourself to your profile. 

Always keep your sizing information up-to-date in the Wardrobe section of your profile. Often a background role will require a performer who is a specific size due to a uniform or costume requirement. It's critical that you keep your measurements current and accurate on your profile.

Please complete the Appearance, Experience and Vehicle sections of your profile. This information is used by Casting Directors when they're searching for performers with a specific look, ability or vehicle. Productions often require background artists with vehicles to drive in a scene.

Availability calendar

Each performer's profile has a calendar where they can identify which days they are either available (green) or unavailable (red) for opportunities. To locate your calendar, go to the top banner of your profile and click on the Profiles link, then click on your profile. Your calendar is on the right hand side of that page.

What happens next

Once your performer profile has been approved you'll be added to The Casting Collective community. 

Casting Directors will send availability inquiries to background artists who are appropriate for the project they're casting. Please review Availability Inquires & Bookings so you know what to expect during the casting process.

Setting your profile as inactive

If you are no longer available for work opportunities as a background artist you can inactivate your profile at any time. To set your profile as inactive, go to the top banner of your profile and click on the Profiles link, then click on Manage, select your profile and click Deactivate. You are always welcome to reactivate your profile if you become available again.