What You Need to Know About Your Booking Details
There's a lot to know about being a Background Actor with Central Casting. If you booked your first job, you may be wondering what to do next. Or maybe you're returning to background work after a hiatus and need a refresher. Here's what you need to know about your details and getting ready for set the next time you're booked.
Carefully read your details
When you book a job, how do you know where to go, what to wear, and when to show up? At Central Casting, we refer to all your booking information as your "details," which are sent as a details message from our casting platform. Our Casting Directors get booking information as it comes in from multiple departments within production. It's likely you will not receive your details message until later in the evening before your work date. Be sure to respond to your details message as soon as possible to confirm you received it.
It's extremely important to read your details fully and carefully. In some cases, your details message will include a link to a Details Blog or other material from production. These resources are a key part of your details and must also be read fully to ensure you show up to set as expected.
Depending on the production and your role, you may receive detailed look instructions or may be given general parameters with more room to create your own looks. For example, if you're booked as a 1970s concert goer, your details will likely include specific hair, makeup, and wardrobe instructions and color palettes. It's important to remember that each production has its own aesthetic; so even if you've portrayed a 1970s concert goer on another show, you need to craft your look based on the details for the new production.
You will most often be asked to show up camera ready, which means arrive on set with your wardrobe on, hair styled, and makeup done appropriately for the role. Other times, you will be tasked with bringing your wardrobe with you. Whatever the case, please make sure your clothing makes it to set clean and unwrinkled (unless your details indicate otherwise). On occasion, the wardrobe department will provide clothing or supplement your options, please be sure you arrive with clean and sufficient undergarments.
Be aware of call time changes
Production schedules are always evolving and call times often change. Keeping up with your call time changes is key to having a successful day on set. Any call time changes will be sent to you as an email and/or text message from our casting platform. You can also find all communications in the inbox of your online profile.
Arrive to set on time
Productions are on very tight schedules and have a lot they need to accomplish in a day. It's crucial that you show up to set on time. And remember, on time means checked in and ready to work.
Your details will include an initial call time, location, and if applicable, any parking, gate, or check-in information. If you haven't been to a studio before, many of them provide online maps and resources that will help you find your way around.
Now that you know more about your booking details, learn how to make the most of your time on set and these Background Actor do's and don'ts for submitting.
