FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Submission Process
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No one! Submitting to work as a background actor/extra is FREE. You should never pay a casting company to submit you for work. All of this information is accessible to the general public and FREE.
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Yes! Background work is paid.
Pay rates are always included in our booking emails and casting notices. Depending on the project (and their budget) you could make anywhere between $130 - $200+ a day.
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Make sure to sign up for our email list HERE and follow our Facebook Page for our latest casting notices. When we’re looking to cast background for a project, we’ll always send out notices and update our FB page with the roles we’re looking to fill along with what we’ll need you to submit.
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Yes! Kids can work as extras but they will need a minor work permit in order to be considered for work.
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No! Professional headshots are not required for background submissions. We prefer to see your current look/hairstyle because it’s how we imagine you will look on the filming day. Photos can be taken on smartphones as long as they’re clear, well lit and follow our submission instructions.
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Now, you should keep an eye on your email inbox and phone. If you are in consideration for a role, you’ll receive additional communication from our team or a booking email.
If your availability changes at any point, make sure that you follow up with our team via email or by updating our availability forms!
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Productions prefer that we book extras that live in the Chicagoland area. Regardless, as long as you have reliable transportation you are welcome to submit!
Booking Process
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If you are selected to work as a background actor, you will receive an email with the subject line: BOOKING EMAIL. This email will include your role, filming date, pay rate and more.
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In between the day you are booked and the day you are scheduled to film, anything could happen. Production can’t release a final schedule until the day/evening before a shoot date.
This is because each new day’s schedule is determined by what we’ve completed filming the previous day. This is also why we ask that anyone who submits to work with us, has FULL DAY availability.
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Depends on the project. Chicago Med takes place at a hospital so a majority of our filming takes place indoors on our stages. On the other hand, Chicago PD + Chicago Fire tend to tell stories that are set on the city streets of Chicago which requires a majority of their shoots to take place outdoors and on location. Regardless, it’s always important to pay attention to weather conditions before reporting to set so you’re appropriately dressed for the day ahead. Rule of thumb - plan to be outside everyday (even if we’re filming inside). Wear layers in the winter, pack sunscreen in the summer and keep rain gear on hand for spring showers.
Filming Day
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Parking is typically the location you are asked to report to first. Regardless of whether or not you are driving, parking will always be your first stop on a filming day. After parking, you will either walk or be shuttled to…
Basecamp. This is where you will run through the check in process with a Background PA. You’ll fill out a voucher, complete start paperwork then visit Costumes, Hair + Make Up and Props (if necessary). Once each department has reviewed and approved your look for the day you’ll move to…
Extras Holding. Here is where you’ll be spending the bulk of your day in between filming scenes. You’ll be able to sit back and relax while crew get to work setting up their camera equipment and prepping for the scenes they intend on filming. Once they’re ready the Background PA will lead you to…
Set! This is where we get to see you shine! You’ll start by running through some rehearsals with our ADs and PAs. They’ll instruct you on where to stand, walk, look and more. There are a lot of moving parts to navigate on a film set so important to stay focused and aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep your ears perked for your cues and you’ll do great!
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Yes and yes! Parking is always provided and free. A production will typically have a parking lot or garage available to all crew and actors. It’s important to review the parking instructions we give you in your call info emails in case you’re expected to print a permit in advance or park in a designated section of a lot.
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Meal times are scheduled around the crew’s hours, which can vary from BG hours. Breakfast and snacks are privileges we try to provide if time and the budget allows, but they are not guaranteed. If you work more than 6 hours, you’ll be provided a lunch, which will occur roughly around 6 hours after the crew begin work that morning.
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Yes! Phones are allowed but we do ask that you stay off of them while filming/on set.
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It all depends on the scene. A SWAT raid on location might take the same amount of time as six different scenes on stage. However, an “average” scene might be around 2-3 hours.
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Please please please do not approach actors unless they initiate a conversation with you first. As exciting as it is to see your favorite actor on set, it is important to remain professional and remember that we are all here to do a job.
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Honestly? We don’t know. We go home when the work is done. Typical production days last 12 hours after crew call, but we can shoot up to 14 hours or longer if the filming day calls for it.
Payment Process
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A voucher is essentially a time card that documents your work day beginning to end. Depending on the production you’ll either be expected to complete a digital voucher or a paper voucher.
Shows like Chicago PD, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire utilize digital vouchers which means you’ll be able to complete your start paperwork in advance of your filming date.
Some projects utilize paper vouchers that you fill out at check in alongside the Background PA. If you ever work on a project that uses paper vouchers make sure to take a copy of your voucher home with you! Your voucher will have the contact information for the payroll company responsible for cutting your check.
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A bump is a predetermined, additional payment that is added to an actor’s wages.
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This is how rates are usually written for bookings.
$130 is the amount you’re paid for a standard workday of 8 hours. If you are wrapped before 8 hours, you’ll still be paid the full day rate. If you work more than 8 hours, then you’ll be paid time + half for each hour after the initial 8.
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Paychecks are typically mailed within 2-3 weeks of a work date. Cine-Casting is not affiliated with the payroll companies that processes your check. Every project has its own payroll service that is responsible for paying its crew and extras. Depending on the project, you’ll either get a digital voucher or paper voucher receipt at the end of a shoot date. In addition to this, your call info emails will always include a payroll contact so you’ll always know who to reach out to if you’d like an update on the status of your paycheck.