1. COMMUNICATION WITH CASTING DIRECTORS
Prompt communication with Casting Directors is essential for background artists to receive bookings on film and television productions. Casting Directors will send out availability inquiries to performers who are appropriate for the project they're casting. Availability inquiries will contain the basic details of the work day such as date, location, pay rate, estimated work hours, etc. Always read through all of the information contained in the availability inquiry as the details will be different for every opportunity.
Availability inquiries are sent via SMS text and email, and all background artists are asked to respond if they're available or not available as soon as possible.
It's important that you ALWAYS RESPOND to these messages, even if you are not available.
Please note that background artists who choose not to respond to availability inquires may be inactivated and will no longer receive messages from Casting Directors.
A reminder that Casting Directors are not agents and they will never charge background artists any fees or commissions to work.
2. LOCATION OF RESIDENCE AND CANADIAN SIN
To be considered for work as a background artist 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 that live outside of British Columbia or Alberta, Canada.
When creating your performer profile at The Casting Collective your valid Canadian Social Insurance Number will be required, but note that it is only visible to production's payroll departments and only after you've completed a booking. The Casting Collective and EP Casting Portal maintain military-grade security to protect the personal data of background artists.
If you're in Canada on a work permit, productions will require a copy of your Social Insurance document as well as your work permit so they can verify that you're eligible for employment.
3. CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
In order to book anyone 17 years of age or younger, Casting Directors require permission from a parent or legal guardian. 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.
Depending on their age, children and teenagers have a limited number of work hours on set and will require a parent or legal guardian with them at all times. Also 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.
4. PHOTOS AND INFORMATION
Casting Directors will be booking you based on the way you look in your profile photos so please make sure they are always kept up-to-date. Your main Headshot photo and Full Body photo must always reflect your current look. In addition you can upload an additional 25 photos of yourself to your profile.
Also please make sure that your sizing information is always up-to-date for Casting Directors and the Costume departments.
5. CANADIAN RESIDENCY DOCUMENTS
Productions require that all background artists, actors and crew members provide proof of residency documents for the Government of British Columbia's tax incentives offered to film and television productions. Your documents allow productions to claim the labour tax credit and it's the number one reason that US film and television productions come to Canada.
Note that your income or financial details on these documents can be redacted or blacked out for privacy. Please see your profile for a list of documents that productions are able to accept and upload them before you work on a production.
6. PRODUCTION WORK HOURS
When you’re booked to work on a film or television production for a day, you 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 you must be available for as long as you’re needed. Also, most productions shoot during the week Monday through Friday, very few productions shoot on Saturdays and Sundays.
Note that if you’re booked for a night shoot you 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.
7. 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".
8. 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.
Please make sure you read all of the information you're sent as the details will be different for each booking. Always respond and confirm that you've received your call time details as soon as possible.
9. 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.
10. 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 visit Department Requirements for more information.
11. ALWAYS BE ON TIME FOR WORK
Arrive on time for your bookings and always sign-in with your contact person right away. Please visit Working On Set for information on what you can expect during your work day.
12. FILM TERMINOLOGY
Take a look at the definitions of Film Terminology that you’ll hear while working on set.
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