Extra Casting

TBS open casting call in Portland for series pilot "Brain Trust"

Lindy Booth will play Professor Monica Ashton in "Brain Trust"
Creative Commons

The new TBS 1-hour comedic detective series pilot titled "Brain Trust" is now in production in the Portland, Oregon area and the film's extras casting will be holding an open casting call for local people interested in working on the show as background. The series regulars for this series are cast out of Los Angeles.

Dean Devlin will produce and direct under the banner of his production company, Electric Entertainment. Devlin has co-written and produced some of the most successful feature films of all time. He co-wrote and produced Stargate, Godzilla and Independence Day - which grossed over $800 million worldwide. Just prior to forming Electric Entertainment Devlin produced the Mel Gibson period drama, The Patriot, which was nominated for three Academy Awards.

Electric Entertainment founding partner Marc Roskin will co-produce along with Marco Schnabel, John Rogers, and Kearie Peak. Roskin produced Electric’s $60 million dollar World War I aviation action-thriller Flyboys starring James Franco, Martin Henderson, and Jean Reno, released by MGM. He also served as producer on New Line’s release of Cellular, starring Kim Basinger and Jason Statham.

The producers made the decision to re-write this pilot for Portland. The original script for "Brain Trust" had set the pilot in Washington D.C. Electric Entertainment also produces the Portland based series "Leverage".

The "Brain Trust" plot centers around a detective whose life hits the skids after he inadvertently ends his partner’s career, gets some unorthodox help on a homicide case from three gifted super-intelligent Professors from a private research organization.

Extras casting director is casting over 700 real people to be extras in the show but has urgent needs to specifically cast 250 of the following types:

● Male or Female.
● Athletic types who work our on a regular basis.
● Must be comfortable on camera in workout attire.● Must be over 18.
● Must be located in the greater Portland, Oregon area.

Shooting begins December 8, 2010. Extras cast for these scenes will work 1 or 2 nights Friday December 10, and Saturday December 11, 2010. The show is under AFTRA contract, however non-union people are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Open Casting Call Details

Where:

Extras Only
633 Northwest 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
Click Here for directions.

When:

Monday, December 6, 2011
12:00pm - 2:00pm
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Extras Casting

Portland:

If you can't make it to the open casting call, you may also register online at the Extras Only website below.

Danny Stoltz
Extras Only
633 Northwest 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
www.extrasonly.com

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Los Angeles:

Principal actor casting has been completed.

Barbara Stordahl
Angela Terry
121 W. Lexington Drive
Suite 410
Glendale, CA 91203
braintrustcasting@gmail.com

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Electric Entertainment
940 N. Highland Avenue
Suite A
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Brain Trust Production Office
14911 SE 82nd Drive
Clackamas, OR 90028

Turner Broadcasting Systems (Distributor)
14 North Tower
Atlanta, GA 30303

Producers: Dean Devlin, Marc Roskin, Marco Schnabel, John Rogers, Kearie Peak

Writer: Marco Schnabel

Director: Dean Devlin

Starring:

D.B. Sweeney - Detective Billy Doyle
Michael Urie - Professor Franklin Gordon
Jed Rees - Professor Nelson Kirby
Lindy Booth - Professor Monica Ashton

Story:

About Detective Billy Doyle (D.B. Sweeney), whose career and life have hit rock bottom after he accidentally ends his partner’s career. Doyle’s life gets turned around, however, when a recent murder case gets unexpected and unconventional help from three gifted super-intelligent Professors from a research facility called "Logos Think Tank". If Doyle can survive the chaos and keep these new partners in line, they just may be the antidote to resurrect his career and, ultimately, his life.

Universal Pictures Ben Stiller action comedy 'Tower Heist' casting call in New York

Tea Leoni plays an FBI agent in "Tower Heist"
Creative Commons

The extras casting director for the feature film "Tower Heist" is seeking people in the New York City area to work on the movie as background on December 4th and 5th, 2010 in a parade scene. The film stars Ben Stiller, Tea Leoni, Eddie Murphy Casey Affleck, and Matthew Broderick. The release date for the film has been scheduled for November 4, 2011.

The production will be filming a recreation of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and need people to portray Parade Spectators and Vendors. The scenes will be all day exterior shoots in Manhattan which will be be matching work for both Saturday AND Sunday, December 4th and 5th, so it is very important that all extras be available BOTH days of filming.

The casting director is seeking both SAG and non-union extras. Non-union pay rate is $101.50 for 11 hours plus overtime. A typical day of filming usually lasts 10 to 12 hours long. You must be available all day with no conflicts, and remain on set for the entire shoot each day.

Those interested please submit ALL of the following:

● Current, clear color photo. Non-professional snapshot.
● Full Name.
● Age and date of birth.
● All contact information.
● Height and weight.
● Specify if you are an SAG member or Non-Union.

Email to:

tower@gwcnyc.com

You MUST put “Parade Goer Avail 12/4+12/5" in the SUBJECT LINE of your email to be considered.

You are required to be at least 18 years old and legally able to work in the United States in order to work on this film. If you do not have ID that proves you are legally able to work, you will be turned away.

Acceptable Identification:

● Drivers License/State ID AND Social Security Card
● US Passport
● Work Visa
● Green Card.

Principal Actor Casting:

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

New York:

Kathleen Chopin
Tower Heist Casting
12 W. 32nd Street
Suite 12
New York, NY 10001

Extras Casting

New York:

Grant Wilfley Casting
123 West 18 Street
8th Floor
New York, NY 10011
tower@gwcnyc.com

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Universal Pictures
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Imagine Entertainment
9465 Wilshire Blvd.
7th Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Heist Productions LLC
1619 Broadway
11th Floor
New York, NY 10019

Rat Entertainment
100 Universal City Plaza
Bungalow 5196
Universal City, CA 91608

Producers: Brian Grazer, Kim Roth, Karen Kehela

Director: Brett Ratner

Starring:

Ben Stiller
Tea Leoni
Eddie Murphy
Casey Affleck
Matthew Broderick
Dave Chappelle
Gabourey Sidibe
Alan Alda

Story:

Ben Stiller plays Josh Kovaks, the devoted building supervisor at The Towers, an upscale New York City condo complex, catering to the needs of the wealthy residents who call The Towers home. Josh spearheads a heist after learning that he and his fellow employees have been bilked out of their pensions and life savings in a Ponzi scheme by the pretentiously self-serving Arthur Shaw, the billionaire Wall Street titan who lives in the building's penthouse.

20th Century Fox film 'Mr. Popper’s Penguins' seeking good Ice Skaters

Carla Gugino co-stars as Jim Carrey's ex-wife
20th Century Fox

The casting director for the Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation feature film "Mr. Popper’s Penguins" is seeking actors in New York City to work on the movie the first week of December.

Here is specifically what they are casting:

● Male and female actors who can portray upscale, Upper East Side, polished, Park Avenue types.

● Must be able to ice skate at an intermediate level or higher.

● Please note if you have extensive ice skating experience.

Those who fit the description please submit a current photo with all contact information to:

popperbg@gmail.com

In the SUBJECT LINE put “Ice Skaters.”

Filming on Mr. Popper's Penguins runs through December 21, 2010 in New York City.

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Principal actor casting has been completed.

Los Angeles:

Marci Liroff
Mr. Popper's Penguins Casting
P.O. BOX 57948
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413

New York:

Kathleen Chopin Casting
12 W. 32nd Street
Suite 12
New York, NY 10001

Extras Casting

New York

Central Casting
875 6th Avenue
24th Floor
Suite 2411
New York, NY 10001

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Mr. Popper's Penguins
Production Office
15 Washington Avenue
Third Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11205

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Davis Entertainment Company
150 S. Barrington Place
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Producers: John Davis, Joel Gotler, Derek Dauchy, Ira Napoliello, Jessica Tuchinsky

Director: Mark Waters

Starring:

Jim Carrey
Carla Gugino
Madeline Carroll
Angela Lansbury

Story:

Hard-driving developer Mr. Popper is focused on his career to the detriment of his personal relationships, including those with ex-wife, whom he still loves and his daughters, who feel estranged from their workaholic dad. But when a bevy of mischievous penguins are delivered to his house - part of a legacy from the globe-trotting father he never really knew - Mr. Popper's previously orderly existence is turned upside down. As he gets acquainted with – and increasingly attached to – his winged roommates, Popper’s life quickly unravels: his swanky New York apartment is turned into a snowy winter wonderland, the deal he’s long been working on is derailed, and he almost lands in jail. Mr. Popper begins to reexamine his priorities, and reevaluate what is truly important in his life.

Warner Bros. Pictures feature film 'Contagion' holding open casting calls

Kate Winslet will play CDC Dr. Erin Mears
Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures is currently in production on the feature film "Contagion" in Illinois and the film's extras casting directors are seeking Chicago area people to work as general background performers. There will be three open casting calls taking place in November, 2010. Shooting on the film will also be taking place in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Dubai, Japan, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, and Malaysia.

Academy Award winning director Steven Soderbergh will helm the project, and he will also co-produce with Oscar Nominees Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher, along with Gregory Jacobs. Scott Z. Burns has penned the screenplay. Burns also wrote the screenplays to the Warner Bros. Matt Damon films "The Bourne Ultimatum," and "The Informant!".

Carmen Cuba is casting the principal actors for the film. Cuba is no stranger to working on Steven Soderbergh projects, as she has cast the films "Erin Brockovich", "Bubble", "The Girlfriend Experience", "The Informant!" and the recently completed "Butter" and "Haywire" - all of which Soderbergh directed. Carmen Cuba has found non-actors to portray fictionalized characters in Soderbergh’s fictionalized stories “Bubble” and “The Girlfriend Experience”, and little-known talent to play leading roles in "The Informant!".

Shooting on Contagion will run through January 11, 2010. The film's release date is October 21, 2011.

Chicago Open Casting Call Details

The casting directors are seeking adult men and women, ages 25 and above, all shapes, sizes, types and ethnicities. Previous experience in not required, and the job includes pay and meals.

Where:

Contegon Production Office, Chicago
The Keres Corporation
2630 W. Bradley Place
Chicago, IL 60611
Off Addison and Talman.
Click Here for directions.

When:

Tuesday November 16, 2011
Wednesday November 17, 2010
Saturday November 20, 2010

Please bring a pen and a small recent photo of yourself. If you have previously attended an open call for "Contagion", there is no need to show up for this new casting call. For more information, call (312) 283-1061.

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Warner Bros. Pictures
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

Double Feature Films
9320 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 210
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Participant Media
335 N. Maple Drive
Suite 245
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Extension
765 54 21st Street
New York, NY 10011

October Pictures LTD
G/F 58A Leighton Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong

The Keres Corporation
846 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Building A, Suite 214
Los Angeles, CA 90038

The Keres Corporation
2630 W. Bradley Place
Chicago, IL 60618

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for principal acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only. No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Los Angeles:

Carmen Cuba
846 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Building A, Suite 213
Hollywood, CA 90038

Chicago:

Shelby Cherniet
Amy C. Newbold
Simon Casting
1512 N. Fremont St
Suite 204
Chicago, IL 60622

Extras Casting (All U.S. Locations):

Rich King Casting
Cross Roads of the World
6671 Sunset Blvd.
Suite 1597
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Registration Information: (323) 993-0186

Producers:

Steven Soderbergh
Michael Shamberg
Stacey Sher
Gregory Jacobs

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Starring:

Matt Damon
Jude Law
Kate Winslet
Gwyneth Paltrow
Laurence Fishburne
Marion Cotillard

Story:

An action-thriller with multiple plotlines, that takes place in a worst case scenario of a deadly virus. We first meet Gwyneth Paltrow's character, Beth Emhoff, as she flies back from a business trip, along with a casino worker in Hong Kong, Li Fai (Josie Ho), and a Ukranian supermodel in London, Irina Modelskova. Almost immediately, all three are struck down by a mysterious ailment — Li Fai meets a particularly messy end in downtown Hong Kong after hallucinating in the streets. Beth's husband Thomas (Damon) is forced to care for his wife, and soon his step-son, as her condition worsens. The virus spreads, first through the Emhoff's native Minneapolis — and very plausible through the unsanitary public school system where kids readily share infections as it is — and then to Chicago, and the rest of the U.S. The story opens on Thanksgiving weekend, almost the worst possible time a virus could break out, considering the amount of travel going on (airplanes being practically an incubator for common cold spreading), and, as one character puts it, "It's the biggest shopping weekend of the year." while simultaneously the virus, and the fear it causes, spreads through the world. As the infection begins to spread, we meet a collection of other characters around the world. Dr. Ellis Cheever (Fishburne), the head of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and his colleague Dr. Erin Mears (Winslet) are both battling to find a cure for the disease, the latter being sent to examine Emhoff at home in Minnesota, while European doctor Leonora Orantes (Cotillard), works for the World Health Organization, has a similar aim; heading to Hong Kong to investigate what appears to be the genesis spot of the breakout. Alan Krumwiede (Law), meanwhile, is a hungry, truth-seeking blogger with an unfortunate interest in conspiracy theories, who is responsible for spreading information about the disease, both true and false, around the world.

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The aim of this blog is to help people who are interested in working as a union or non-union extra. I hope the information on this page can help you achieve your goal of working as a background actor in Film and Television. I post this information absolutely free of charge, and try to verify all details as much as possible. I hope my websites continue to help talent obtain employment in the entertainment industry.

Note: All content on third-party advertisers' websites is the sole responsibility of the respective website publisher(s)/owner(s).

What is a Background Actor?

A "Background Actor" or "Extra" is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, non-singing or non-dancing capacity, usually in the background.

War films and epic films often employ background actors in large numbers. Some films have featured hundreds or even thousands of paid background actors. Likewise, grand opera can involve many background actors appearing in spectacular productions.

On a film or television set, background actors are usually referred to as "Background Performers", "Background Artists" or simply "Background," while the term "Extra" is rarely used.

In a stage production, background actors are commonly referred to as "Supernumeraries". In opera and ballet, they are called either 'Extras' or 'Supers'.

SAG-AFTRA

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is an American labor union representing over 150,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. The current organization is the result of the March 30, 2012 merger of the Screen Actor's Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

According to the SAG-AFTRA Mission Statement, the union seeks to: negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for its performers; collect compensation for exploitation of recorded performances by its members, and provide protection against unauthorized use of those performances; and preserve and expand work opportunities for its members.

The Screen Actors Guild was founded in 1933 in an effort to eliminate exploitation of actors in Hollywood who were being forced into oppressive multi-year contracts with the major movie studios that did not include restrictions on work hours or minimum rest periods, and often had clauses that automatically renewed at the studios' discretion. These contracts were notorious for allowing the studios to dictate the public and private lives of the performers who signed them, and most did not have provisions to allow the performer to end the deal.

SAG-AFTRA is the primary performer's union in the United States. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. SAG-AFTRA claims exclusive jurisdiction over motion picture as well as radio, television, Internet, and other new media. Internationally, SAG-AFTRA is affiliated with the International Federation of Actors.

How To Qualify For SAG-AFTRA Membership

A performer becomes eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership under one of the following two conditions:

1) Proof of Employment.

SAG-AFTRA membership is available to those who work in a position covered by a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement. Any person qualifying through work as a background actor must have completed three days of work as a background actor under a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement.

2) Employment Under an Affiliated Performers Union.

Performers may join SAG-AFTRA if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers union (ACTRA, AEA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.

All new members pay a one-time-only initiation fee, plus the first semiannual dues at the time of joining. The national initiation fee rate is currently $3000.00 (initiation fees may be lower in some states). Annual Base dues are $198.00. In addition, work dues are calculated at 1.575 percent of covered earnings up to $500,000.

Once you are a member, you must abide by the rules of membership, starting with Global Rule One and the No Contract/No Work Rule. And, whether you are a SAG-AFTRA member or not - NEVER accept work during a Union strike!

Becoming a SAG-AFTRA member is a very important milestone for every working professional talent in the entertainment industry. But you should not be in a rush to join unless you are absolutely certain that you are ready to compete for professional performing jobs. For actors, you should prepare yourself by studying acting and improv, doing live theatre, and perform in non-union on-camera productions in order to build your resume and gain extremely valuable experience.

How do I get three SAG-AFTRA background vouchers?

Excellent question; there truly isn’t a simple answer. The best way is to work as a non-union background actor as often as possible and do a great job, showing up on time and bringing the proper wardrobe.

Occasionally there will be an immediate need for a certain look or ability on the set and if you are in the right place at the right time you will be offered a SAG-AFTRA voucher. Sporadically a casting director will offer you a SAG-AFTRA voucher if they are unable to locate a SAG member who fits the requirements of the production company.

Demo Reel Information

An actors demo reel (or "demo tape") is a short compilation of clips from professional acting work on films, commercials, and television shows. It is usually no more than a few minutes in length.

A demo reel IS NOT the same as an "Audition Video". An Audition Video IS a homemade video that you make when casting directors are accepting audition video submissions.

It is NOT necessary to send in a demo reel when submitting for extra roles. Only submit a demo reel if the casting directors request it, or through an agent.

Extras Calling Services

There are companies that are termed "Calling Services" or "Booking Services" that charge fee(s) to obtain extra work for you. These Calling Services are not contracted by production companies as Casting Directors are, rather they are independent services that work for the individual extras that sign up for their service. The fee is usually on a monthly basis, however some use a per-job-booked fee structure also.

Most Extras Casting Directors use these calling services often, especially when they are casting large amounts of extras for a specific production. It is much easier and less time consuming to make one call to a Calling Service and tell them what they need than it is to call each and every extra individually.

Once an extra signs up for a Calling Service, they provide them with photos, clothing size forms, and contact information. Then it is simply a matter of letting the Calling Service know your availability. The booking service will submit their clients based on their availability to all of the extras Casting Directors, and the Casting Directors can book as many or as few of these extras and give the booking service the call times, wardrobe requirements, shooting location, etc., to forward along to their clients. It is then the responsibility of the Calling Service to provide the details to their extras and confirm the booking.

Extras who do not use a Calling Service must constantly call recorded casting lines that the extras casting directors set up, and then call a separate number if they fit exactly what is on the recorded line. The competition to get work this way is extremely fierce. It is a generally accepted reality that extras who use respected and legitimate Calling Services are booked far more frequently than those who try to do their own booking.

The fees that Calling Services charge range from around $45 - $75 per month depending on your union status, age, and the number of days that you are booked during the month. There also may be an initial registration fee that can be as low as $20 to over $100 if they require a first month fee and last month fee in addition to the registration fee.

Should I Do Extra Work For Acting Experience?

I personally feel that if a person does not have experience, doing extra work is a fantastic way to get used to being on a film or TV set. It gives you an idea of how things work and allows you to become comfortable on a set without risking "burning bridges" if you get nervous and a little stage fright.

I myself did extra work in the beginning of my career and it helped me tremendously. I had terrible stage fright, but I became very comfortable after doing background work for a while.

So the answer is yes, doing extra work will help you. It doesn't pay a whole lot, but the experience you get is valuable.

Acting is like any other job, the more training and experience a person has, the better chance of getting the job. But at the same time, we all have to start somewhere!

Types of Background Actors

General Background: Person of atmospheric business which includes the normal actions, gestures and facial expressions of the Background Actor’s assignment.

Special Ability: Background Actor specifically called and assigned to perform work requiring special skills such as tennis, golf, choreographed social dancing (including square dancing), swimming, skating, riding animals, driving livestock, non-professional singing (in groups of 16 or less), mouthing to playback in groups of 16 or less, professional or organized athletic sports (including officiating and running), amputees, driving which requires a special skill and a special license (such as truck driving but not cab driving), motorcycle driving, insert work, and practical card dealing.

Stand-In: Background Actor used as a substitute for another actor for purposes of focusing shots, setting lights, etc., but is not actually photographed. Stand-Ins may also be used as general background.

Photographic Double: Background Actor who is actually photographed as a substitute for another actor. A General Background Actor who is required to do photographic doubling shall receive the Special Ability rate.

Day Performer: A Performer who delivers a speech or a line of dialogue. A Background Actor must be upgraded to a Day Performer if directed to speak, except in the case of “omnies”.

Omnies: Any speech sounds used as general background noise rather than for its meaning. Atmospheric words such as indistinguishable background chatter in a party or restaurant scene.

Advice for Child Actors

1. Have fun and enjoy every performance.

2. Learn as much as possible from the professionals you work with.

3. Get your rest, and drink plenty of water!

4. Be respectful and do what you are asked to do to make the child wrangler's job easy.

5. Remember you are there to do a job.

6. Share the experience with your friends and family.

7. Visit as many places as you can.

8. Be thankful for the opportunity.

9. Use your down time to keep up with schoolwork.

10. Laugh, Laugh, Laugh.

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