Background Work- Being an “Extra” on the Set
Many parents ask if working as an “extra” or background player, is a good way to get started in the business. I encourage it as it is the best “on the job” training you and your child can get (and you get paid). Working background has some great benefits
including:
-Learning set etiquette, industry terminology, working as a team to produce a great entertainment product.
-Deciding if a child has the temperament for the entertainment industry. Can they handle the waiting?
-Can they obey strangers?
-Learning basic job responsibilities such as being on time, following directions, etc.
-Low stress for the child.
-Few auditions…you just get called to work!
-Earning money. This can be used to teach kids basic money management, and used to save for future union initiation dues, headshots, acting classes, etc.
-Possible (not probable) upgrades to principal status.
-Provides a creative outlet for kids who might not be ready or interested in principal auditions.
In almost every major market companies have opened up to specialize in kid’s background work. These “agencies”are not SAG or ATA agency franchises. Some companies started calling themselves “managers” so that they could avoid state licensing as a talent agency, pay on their own schedule, charge registration fees, check fees, etc. Others call themselves “casting companies”. Make sure you know who you are dealing with before you sign or pay anything
What You Need to Get Started
-Social Security card
-A company to find you work, or the ability to search for local work on your own -A cell phone -And if you are in a state that requires a work permit, make sure you have a current one and in California you will need a Coogan Account
The Kid Companies
In Los Angeles , there are three main companies that handle the vast majority of background work for children. None of them are licensed as talent agencies in the State of California . None are SAG or ATA franchised. This means that they are NOT YOUR AGENT.
They do not have your best interests in mind, and should not legally be negotiating anything. They are simply a booking service, a broker, and you need to become knowledgeable on your own about labor laws, union regulations, upgrades, conflicts, etc.
.
Kids Background (www.kidsmanagement.com) (661)
964-0131
Studio Kids Management
(562) 902-9838
Screen Children’s Casting
(818) 846 4300
Some require registration fees of $20-$40 a couple of times a year. They all take a percentage of the child’s earnings which ranges from 15% to 20%. Some require pictures. One takes a check fee from each check, cancellations fees, and more. Most will require you to sign a contract (be CAREFUL—read the small
print) but it is possible to register with several services at a time.
Here is a list of extra/background casting in Los Angeles and other areas. Not all accept minors. Make sure you check out websites (if they have one), email or call before submitting. This is not meant to endorse any of these companies, This information is for reference only.
AB CASTING
www.abcasting.net ($48 fee)
3575 Cahuenga Blvd West, Suite 125-9, Hollywood CA
90068
Office: 323-850-0024
ACROSS THE BOARD CASTING (Mail in Resume/Photo) cstingboard@sbcglobal.net
5287 Sunset Blvd 2nd Floor, Hollywood CA 90027 Office 818-754-2557. Registration 818-974-9973
SANDE ALESSI CASTING
13731 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks CA 91423 Hotline 818-771-5717. Office 818-773-3035
COLEMAN ALEXANDER CASTING
www.colemanalexander.com ….info@colemanalexander.com
12442 Laurel Terrace Drive, Studio City CA 91604 Registration 818-487-8520
BACKGROUND PLAYERS
6671 Sunset Blvd, Bldg 1585, Suite 101 (Crossroads of the World), Los Angeles CA 90028 Hotline 323-692-5620. Office 323-790-0138.
BRENTWOOD CASTING
9663 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 261, Beverly Hills CA 90210 Office 310-837-3009
BURBANK CASTING (Registration Fee $30 Non-Union, currently not accepting SAG) www.burbankcasting.com ….michelle@burbankcasting.com
224 E Olive Avenue Suite 213, Burbank CA 91502
818-559-2446 Fax: 818-559-2215
CENTRAL CASTING
www.ep-services.com (Registration Fee $20, call for specific days to register) 220 S Flower St, Burbank 91502 (I-5, exit Olive St, Turn left 3 times) SAG Men Hotline 818-260-6100. SAG Women Hotline 818-260-6110.
Non-Union Men Hotline 818 260-6120. Non-Union Women Hotline 818-260-6130 Office 818-562-2700. Show Taped Info 818-562-2966. SAG availability 818-773-1371.
CREATIVE EXTRAS CASTING (Mail in Resume/Photo, No Fee)
2461 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90404 Hotline 310-203-1459, Office 310-203-7860
BILL DANCE CASTING
….kellian@billdancecasting.com
Hotline 818-771-8450, Office 818-725-4209.
DOLL CASTING (Registration Fee $5)
1335 N La Brea Avenue PH1415,
Office 323-244-4570.
ALICE ELLIS CASTING (Mail in photo/resume) Commercials P O Box 1828, Venice CA 90294 Office 310-314-148
CAROL GRANT
5155 W Rosecrans Ave #1124, Hawthorne CA 90252 Office - not known. Hotline 323-692-7779
CHRIS GRAY CASTING (Registration Fee $25 Yearly) chrisgraycas@yahoo.com
8271 Melrose Avenue Suite 100, Los Angeles CA 90046 Hotline 323-634-2969. Office 323-658-1530
RICH KING CASTING
6671 Sunset Blvd Suite 1597, (Crossroads of the World), Los Angeles CA 90028 Hotline 323-634-2556. Office 323-993-0186.
ON LOCATIONS CASTING (Registration Fee $20) www.onlocationextras.com ….olccasting@aol.com
1223 Wilshire Blvd #409, Santa Monica CA 90403 (drop box address only).
Hotline 310-284-3549. Office 310-772-8181.
JEFF OLAN CASTING (Registration Fee $25) www.jeffolancasting.com
14044 Ventura Blvd #209, Sherman Oaks CA 91423 Hotline 310-285-3375. Office 818-285-5462, 5467.
PRIME CASTING
www.primecasting.com (Registration Fee $20) 6430 Sunset Blvd #425, Los Angeles CA 90028 (CNN Building at Cahuenga) Hotline 323-962-5846 or 323-986-0574. Office 323-962-0377.
STANDING ROOM ONLY CASTING
Non-Union only.
Office 800-361-7481. Emergency 310-505-0885
.SAN DIEGO
BACKGROUND SAN DIEGO
4705 Ruffin Road, San Diego CA 92123-1611
(I- 163, exit Balboa Avenue West, turn left onto Ruffin Road, on your right) 858-974-8970. Hotline 858-974-8970 ext. 477.
TINA REAL CASTING
3108 Fifth Avenue, Suite C, San Diego, Ca 92103 619-298-0544. Hotline: 619-298-1766. Fax:
619-298-0389.
HAWAI’I
JULIE CARLSON
808-733-4015
Hawaii Film Studio, 510 18th Avenue, Honolulu HI 96816
MARGARET DOVERSOLA
Principals only.
808-733-4015
Hawaii Film Studio, 510 18th Avenue, Honolulu HI 96816
ANNA FISHBURN CASTING
Anna Fishburn
808-521-9100
1121 Nuuanu Avenue 2nd Floor, Honolulu HI 96817
REEL SERVICES HAWAII
Mostly Commercials
Sue Larkin
808-524-2278, 808-524-3299
627 South Street Suite 5, Honolulu HI 96813
NEVADA
BASKOW & ASSOCIATES
Alison - ext 243
2948 E Russell Road, Las Vegas NV 89120
702-733-7818, Hotline 702-391-9309
GOLDMAN & ASSOCIATES
www.gacasting.com ….julie@gacasting.com Julie Goldman
701 N Green Valley Parkway, Suite 200, Las Vegas NV
89074
702-232-4300, Fax: 702-837-3148
RED MODELS & TALENT
www.redmodelslv.com info@redmodelslv.com Kendra, Tanna
2575 South Cimarron Road Suite 201 (corner of West Sahara), Las Vegas NV 89117 Office 702-242-1770
VEGAS BACKGROUND & VEGAS CASTING
www.vegasbackground.com & www.vegas-casting.com Vanessa Chamberlin, Cell 702-419-9577, vanessa@vegasbackground.com Chris Buzzell, Cell 702-499-2128, chris@vegasbackground.com 2980 S Rainbow Blvd, Suite 210E, Las Vegas NV 89146 Hotline 702-866-5925. Confirm 702-866-5926. Office 702-866-5924. Fax: 702-396-3122
WILD STREAK TALENT
Jorina King
3355 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 264, Las Vegas NV
89102
702-252-8382. Hotline 702-252-4695. Fax 702-252-8436
NEW MEXICO
An Alternative—Finding Your Own Work
There are ways to rustle up your own jobs without the use of a background “broker”.
Try the new Extrasaccess.com. Owned by Breakdown Services, the company that issues the majority of principal job notices, Extrasaccess is the first way to control your career. Sandi Alessi (extras CD for many major films including Pirates of the Carribbean, The Fast and The Furious, Zodiac, War of the Worlds,
etc) uses Extrasaccess. This company has roles all across the US , but seems to be heavy on LA and NYC.
Registration is FREE, and you pay to submit yourself electronically on jobs. You can purchase an unlimited membership for $50 a year (submit all you want), or only $10/yr. if you are already a member of its sister company, ActorsAccess.com.
Check the legitimate online casting services. All the legit services have some extra work thrown in the mix, and allow you to self-submit on those projects. Try:
www.castingworkbook.com (NY and Canada ) www.castingnetworks.com Watch the trades, specifically Backstage. Notices for background players are often listed among the other casting notices.