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 recently registered at a Talent Onboarding session, you're probably focused on getting your first job. 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 through your details
When you get 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." Casting Directors will likely send your details as a message through our online platform. In some cases, like when filling rush calls, your details may be relayed over the phone when you're booked. Any time you call Central Casting, you should have a pen and paper on hand so you can write your details down.
Your booking information may include a Details Blog, which you can access with the show name (this may be different than the actual name of the project you're working on) and the 4-digit passcode given to you by the Casting Director. You can use these to access your Details Blog via the "My Details" option in our website menu. Please read all of this information carefully to ensure you know what's expected of you when you show up to set. Our article 4 Things You Must Know About Your Details breaks down each section of the Details Blog and explains why they are important.
Remember, Casting Directors get information as it comes in from production, so they may not have details until the evening before you work. Please respond to your details message as soon as possible to confirm that you have received it.
Be aware of call time changes
Another key part of having a successful day on set is keeping up with your call time changes. Any call time changes will be sent you as an email and/or text message from our casting platform. You can also find all communications in the "messages" section of your online profile.
Production schedules are always evolving and call times often change; be sure to check for any changes before arriving to set.
Get your wardrobe ready
A big part of being a professional Background Actor is putting together great wardrobe looks for set. If your Details Blog includes multiple categories, be sure you're reading wardrobe instructions for your category. If you're not sure what your category is or if you have questions about your wardrobe details, you can call your Central Casting office for clarification.
You will likely be asked to show up camera ready, which means arrive on set with your wardrobe on and your hair 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 category calls for something different). On occasion, the wardrobe department will provide clothing or supplement your options, please be sure you arrive with clean and sufficient undergarments.
Arrive to set on time
Productions are on very tight schedules and have a lot they need to accomplish in a day, so it's extremely important that you show up to set on time and ready to work. If you've never been to a studio or location before, it's a good idea to look up how to get there beforehand. Many studios provide online maps and resources that will help you find your gate, parking structure, and check-in location. Before you leave, be sure to check for call time changes and factor in traffic, parking, public transportation schedules, or other delays that could make you late.
Now that you know what to do once you've been booked, learn how to make the most of your time on set and these Background Actor do's and don'ts for submitting.
