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Working as a Film and Television extra in Vancouver, BC

Thanks to Vancouver extras casting director Andrea Brown for information regarding the casting of background actors in Canada. Andrea Brown has cast dozens of top television shows and feature films including The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

The following information also applies to the other provinces of Canada.

In British Columbia, Canada, extras can be represented by "Extras Agents", which differ from Extras Casting Directors. Agents charge a 15% commission fee for their services, as well as a yearly photo fee of $25.00. Casting Directors such as Andrea Brown (who are contracted by the production company) hire the vast majority of their extras through Extras Talent Agents such as these reputable companies (only people LOCAL to the filming areas are generally hired):

A Tactical Actions Group
Blink Management


There are two types of calls that extras talent agents make. One type of call is to book you for the job. The other type is to check your availability. It is common practice to check your availability before submitting pictures to the extras casting directors. A call to check when you are available is not a booking. If you are chosen by the extras casting director, the extras agency will call you back to confirm the booking. When They call to book you, they let you know the exact date(s) they need you. They usually call the day before you work, they rarely get much notice. When they call to book you, they need a yes or no, not a maybe-depending-on-the-time answer. When they are booking you they do not know the start or end time of the shoot. You need to be completely free on the day of filming with absolutely no other commitment. Under no circumstances can you be late to the set or leave early once you are on set. You will get a phone call later in the day from the production company, usually the second assistant director or extras coordinator, to give you the exact call time and location.

You must have a social insurance number or a work permit to work in Canada. More information regarding "Extras Agents" can be found here:



You can find information on how to obtain a Canadian Work Permit here:


New York Extras Casting

The following are extras casting agents who do casting in the New York City area. It is a good idea to register with as many extras casting agents as possible.

Audience Associates/Big Crowds
3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Ste. 1152
Studio City , CA 91604
Phone: (818) 985-8811
Web: www.bigcrowds.com

Background, Inc.
601 W. 26th St.
Ste. M224
New York , NY 10001
Phone: (212) 609-1103
Web: www.bgroundinc.com

Barbara McNamara Casting, LLC
249 W. 34th St., Ste. 500
New York , NY 10001
Phone: (212) 645-6051
Web: www.barbmcasting.com

Bill Dance Casting
4605 Lankershim Blvd.
Ste. 401
North Hollywood , CA 91602
Phone: (818) 754-6634
Web: www.billdancecasting.com

Extra Connection
1382 Third Ave.
New York , NY 10021
Phone: (212) 472-6981
Phone 2: (212) 717-4277

Extra Extra Casting, Inc.
Phone: (212) 327-4685
Phone 2: (310) 552-1888
Web: www.extraextracasting.com

Extra Talent Agency
1133 Broadway
Ste. 1201
New York , NY 10010
Phone: (212) 807-8172
Web: www.extratalentagency.com

Grant Wilfley Casting
123 W. 18th St., Eighth Fl.
New York , NY 10011
Phone: (212) 685-3537

Mike Lemon Casting
413 N. Seventh St.
Ste. 602
Philadelphia , PA 19123
Phone: (215) 627-8927
Phone 2: (888) 991-0690
Web: www.mikelemoncasting.com

The Reel People Company
Phone: (212) 564-4141
Phone 2: (214) 890-0660
Web: www.reelpeoplecompany.com

Scott Powers Studios, Inc.
135 W. 29th St.
Ste. 404
New York , NY 10001
Phone: (212) 242-4700
Web: www.scottpowers.com/casting.html

Sylvia Fay Casting
71 Park Ave.
New York , NY 10016
Phone: (212) 889-2626

Winsome Sinclair & Associates
75 South Elliott Pl.
Second Fl.
Brooklyn , NY 11217
Phone: (212) 281-4044