The history of background actors, or ‘extras’, as been around nearly as long as the film industry itself. The first films date back to the early 1890’s and they were mostly unedited, slice-of-life, documentary style films that showed regular people doing everyday things. Though they weren’t touted as such, these regular people were the very first movie extras.
As films became more sophisticated, so, too, did the talent that was required. And as productions became larger, the number of movie extras needed increased, too. Fortunately for the burgeoning film industry in Hollywood, there was no shortage of movie extra talent as thousands of people flocked to Los Angeles every month in the hopes of becoming of a star.
By 1922, there were an estimated 30,000 movie exras in LA and not nearly enough jobs to go around. With no system in place to regulate background talent, many people looking to break into the industry as movie extras were exploited. The same newspapers and magazines that hyped Hollywood and led to the swelling numbers of hopefuls were soon reporting stories of these exploitations.
The motion picture industry was facing a PR nightmare. Angry Americans deemed the movie industry immoral and there were calls for government regulation. Major Hollywood producers responded by turning to Republican Party leader Will Hays whom they commissioned to direct a campaign to restore their public image. Hays in turn commissioned the Russell Sage Foundation to study the problem. The results of this study led to the unlikely alliance of the major Hollywood producers, comprising the Association of Motion Picture Producers, to establish their own organization that would provide movie actors for their films. The organization was called the Central Casting Corporation and it opened for business in 1926.
For producers, the creation of Central Casting allowed them to continue operating without government interference while providing a consistent stream of background talent for their films. For background actors, Central Casting provided a road map to working as an extra in Hollywood. Background actors could register with Central and all they had to do was call a job hotline to find work rather than having to drive from studio to studio looking for their own jobs.
In the 80 past years, a lot has changed. Background extras formed their own union, the Screen Extras Guild, in 1946; created their own newspaper dedicated to the Hollywood extra, The Hollywood Megaphone; and even had their own awards for stand-ins called ‘The Elmers.’ Today, the Screen Extras Guild, The Hollywood Megaphone and The Elmers no longer exist. The Screen Extras Guild merged with the Screen Actors Guild. The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists also has jurisdiction over television extras, and all soap operas extras.
A Little Background About Background Acting
Extras Casting Companies In Los Angeles
The following are extras casting companies who do casting in the Los Angeles area. It is a good idea to register with as many extras casting companies as possible. Please call for registration details:
ACROSS THE BOARD CASTING
5287 SUNSET BLVD. 2ND FLOOR
HOLLYWOOD. CA 90027
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-974-9973
CASTING HOTLINE: 323 769-6439
COMPANY CONTACT: LAVONNE & CARMEN
EMAIL: castingboard@sbcglobal.net
ALICE ELLIS CASTING
P.O. BOX 1828
VENICE, CA 90294
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-314-1488
COMPANY CONTACT: ALICE ELLIS
WEBSITE: www.elliscasting.com
EMAIL: submissions@elliscasting.com
ALL LOCATIONS CASTING
P.O. BOX 518
HERMOSA BEACH, CA 90254
REGISTRATION LINE: MAIL IN ONLY
COMPANY CONTACT: SHAWN MAKRIS, MARIE MARKIS
WEBSITE: www.alllocationscasting.com
ATMOSPHERE CASTING
9903 SANTA MONICA BLVD., SUITE 412
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212
REGISTRATION LINE: 888 858-7090
COMPANY CONTACT: ROBERT LEWIS
BACKGROUND PLAYERS/CASTING ENTERTAINMENT
4350 SOUTH ARVILLE ST.
BLDG. E SUITE A40
LAS VEGAS, NV 89103
REGISTRATION LINE: 702-895-6833
COMPANY CONTACT: REGISTRATION TEAM
WEBSITE: www.davidanthonycasting.com
BILL DANCE CASTING
4605 LANKERSHIM BLVD., SUITE. 401
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91602
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-725-4209
COMPANY CONTACT: BILL DANCE
WEBSITE: www.billdancecasting.com
EMAIL: office_manager@billdancecasting.com
BRENTWOOD CASTING
9663 SANTA MONICA BLVD., SUITE 261
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-837-3009
COMPANY CONTACT: ELI MATHIEU & ASSOCIATES
WEBSITE: www.brentwoodcasting.com
E-MAIL: brentwoodcasting@yahoo.com
CAROL GRANT CASTING
PO Box 5710
Newport Beach, CA 92662
REGISTRATION LINE: 323 692-7779
COMPANT CONTACT: CAROL
WEBSITE: www.carolgrantcasting.com
EMAIL: cgcasting@yahoo.com
CASTING ASSOCIATES
3304 SEPULVEDA BLVD., SUITE #1
TORRANCE, CA 90505
REGISTRATION LINE: 310 364-0233
COMPANY CONTACT: TRACY, JOSEPH & DAVID
CENTRAL CASTING
220 S. FLOWER ST.
BURBANK, CA 91502
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-562-2755
COMPANY CONTACT: REGISTRATION TEAM
WEBSITE: www.centralcasting.org
EMAIL: N/A
CREATIVE EXTRAS CASTING
2461 SANTA MONICA BLVD., #501
SANTA MONICA, CA 90404
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-203-7860
COMPANY CONTACT: VANESSA PORTILLO
EMAIL ADDRESS: cecasting@yahoo.com
DEBE WAISMAN CASTING
11684 VENTURA BLVD., #415
STUDIO CITY, CA 91604
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-752-7052
COMPANY CONTACT: DEBE WAISMAN
EMAIL: debeatwork@earthlink.net
DEEDEE RICKETTS CASTING
8205 SANTA MONICA BLVD., SUITE1-229
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90046
REGISTRATION LINE: Online Only
COMPANY CONTANT: DEEDEE & STACY
WEBSITE: www.ddcasting.com
EXTRA EXTRA CASTING
11693 SAN VICENTE BLVD., PMB 279
LOS ANGELES, CA 90049
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-859-6951
WEBSITE: www.extraextracastings.com
EMAIL: xtraxtracasting@aol.com
HEADQUARTERS CASTING
400 S. BEVERLY DR., SUITE 306
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-556-2626
COMPANY CONTACT: CARLA LEWIS
WEBSITE: www.headquarterscasting.com
EMAIL:hqtalent@gmail.com
IDELL JAMES CASTING
MAILING ADDRESS ONLY:
15332 ANTIOCH ST., PMB #117
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA 90272
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-230-9344
COMPANY CONTACT: IDELL JAMES
JEFF OLAN CASTING
14044 VENTURA BLVD., SUITE. 209
SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91423
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-377-4475
INFO LINE/HOTLINE: 310 285-3375
COMPANY CONTACT: JEFF OLAN
WEBSITE: www.jeffolancasting.com
EMAIL: jeffolancasting@yahoo.com
L.A. CASTING GROUP, INC.
LOS ANGELES CENTER STUDIOS
1201 W. 5TH ST., STE. F-240
LOS ANGELES, CA 90017
REGISTRATION LINE: (213) 534-3888
COMPANY CONTACT: MICHAEL
WEBSITE: www.lacgroup.com
E-MAIL: info@lacgroup.com
ON LOCATION CASTING
1223 WILSHIRE BLVD., SUITE #409
SANTA MONICA, CA 90403
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-229-5332
COMPANY CONTACT: TINA KERR
PETE SUTTON CASTING
c/o MOUNTAIN ASH CASTING
P.O. BOX 56687
SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91413
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-759-1818
WEBSITE: www.petesuttoncasting@maccpro.com
PRIME CASTING
6430 SUNSET BLVD., STE. 425
LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
REGISTRATION LINE: 323-962-0377
COMPANY CONTACT: PETER, JILL OR ANDREW
WEBSITE: www.primecasting.com
EMAIL: primecasting@aol.com
RICH KING CASTING
6671 SUNSET BLVD., STE 1597
LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
REGISTRATION LINE: 323 993-0186
COMPANY CONTACT: RICH, KELLY, KEAN
SANDE ALESSI CASTING
13731 VENTURA BLVD.,
SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91423
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-623-7040
COMPANY CONTACT: SANDE
SMITH & WEBSTER-DAVIS CASTING
4924 BALBOA BLVD., SUITE 431
ENCINO, CA 91316
REGISTRATION LINE: 310-364-3521
STEWART & BERNARD CASTING
P.O. BOX 341469
ARLETA, CA 91334
REGISTRATION LINE: MAIL IN ONLY
COMPANY CONTRACT: TEDDY STEWART/FAYE BERNARD
STUDIO KIDS CASTING
15068 ROSECRANS AVE., #198
LA MIRADA, CA 90638
REGISTRATION LINE: 562-902-9838
COMPANY CONTACT: LISA MARIE SANTILLAN
WEBSITE: www.studiomanagement.com
EMAIL: studiokidscastn@aol.com
TIFFANY WOODS CASTING
11260 OVERLAND, #19G
CULVER CITY, CA 90230
REGISTRATION LINE: MAIL IN SUBMISSIONS ONLY
COMPANY CONTACT: TIFFANY WOODS
WEBSITE: www.geocities.com/tiffanywoodscasting
EMAIL: tiffanywoodscasting@yahoo.com
XTRAZ CASTING
P.O. BOX 4145
VALLEY VILLAGE, CA 91617
REGISTRATION LINE: 818-781-0066
COMPANY CONTACT: TOM THACKER
EMAIL: xtraz@concentric.net
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
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