Extra Casting

'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' Open Casting Calls

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Walt Disney Pictures 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' will be shooting on Oahu and Kauai, Hawaii in June, July and August, 2010. The extras casting directors are holding open casting calls for MEN ONLY to appear in the film as featured extras, stand-ins, and photo doubles. The roles are for Pirates and Sailors. The only female roles that are being cast are for nationally ranked or former Olympic synchronized swimmers.

This portion of filming will take place on ships and a semi-deserted island location. The production will then move to London where they will shoot the remainder of the film and different extras will be cast there.

Here is what the casting directors are looking for:

Pirates

Looking for authentic-looking scavenger-types. Ages 18 to 60s, all ethnicities, especially extreme character types - thin, tall, short, emaciated, odd features, huge nose, eyes, ears, lazy eye, grizzled and wrinkled faces, odd body types, missing limbs, teeth etc. MEN ONLY.

Sailors

Thin and average builds, from good looking to extreme characters.
British types, Spaniards or other ethnicity. Ages 18 to 50s MEN ONLY.

Crew Members

Photo-doubles and Stand-ins. All types. MEN ONLY.

Open Casting Call Details

Oahu

Saturday, April 24th
Your arrival time: 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm or 4:00pm
Waikiki Community Center
310 Paoakalani Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
Click Here for directions.

Kauai

Sunday, April 25th
Your arrival time: 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm,
3:00pm or 4:00pm
Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall
4191 Hardy Street
Lihue, HI 96766
Click Here for directions.

Please choose any audition time listed above and don’t be late. Show up at the mid day audition times to avoid long lines. Though free parking is provided, please bring change for parking meters in the event that the lot is full.

They are only accepting submissions from men at this time. No women or children are needed for this portion of filming.

● Bring a 3" x 5" current color photo from the waist up. It does not have to be professional photo. No wigs, makeup or sunglasses in photos.

● Bring a pen or pencil to fill out registration card.

● You do not need to prepare for an audition, they will simply have a look at you, have you fill out a registration card, attach your photo and send you on your way.

● You must be 18 years or older and be legal to work in the U.S.

If you LIVE IN OAHU OR KAUAI and can not attend an open call you may still be considered for the film. Please mail in the current color 3" x 5" photo. Do not mail in an 8" x 10" photo unless you submit a 3" x 5" photo along with it. Please include your height, weight, shirt, coat and pants size, phone numbers and email address.

Please submit by mailing it to:

Sande Alessi Casting
13731 Ventura Blvd. 2nd Floor
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Please let them know which island you live on and write that on the front of the envelope, for example Attn: Oahu (or Kauai) Local Hire

Summit Entertainment's 'Larry Crowne' Extras Casting Call

Summit Entertainment has teamed with Universal Pictures as two of the production companies for the upcoming film Larry Crown starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Tom Hanks will also direct, and the film's writer is Nia Vardalos. Shooting will begin on April 21, 2010 in Los Angeles and continue through June, 2010.

The background actor casting director is currently seeking the following union and non-union extras, featured extras, and photo doubles:

● Julia Roberts photo double. SAG. Female, Caucasian, 28 - 40 years of age, 5'8" tall, size 6 - 8 dress. To work multiple days throughout the project.

● Gugu Mbatha-Raw photo double and stand-in. SAG. Female. Light golden skinned black female to stand in multiple days throughout the project. Must have excellent stand-in experience and be between 5'3" to 5'5" in height.

● Authentic Professional Chef. SAG. Caucasian male, age 35 - 50, must have expert culinary experience. Will need to chop, dice and do a variety of cutting techniques for hand close ups. Please describe your experience in your submission. Do not submit unless you have professional Chef experience. Works approximately May 6, 2010 - May 7, 2010.

● Bank employees and customers for a typical Southern California Bank, present day. Can be SAG or non-union. Tellers, clerks and customers. Ages 22 - 70, male and female. Works approximately June 19, 2010.

● Coffee shop employees and patrons. Can be SAG or non-union. Ages 18 - 70, males and females. Works approximately April 28, 2010 - May 6, 2010.

● Restaurant Patrons. Can be SAG or non-union. Ages 18 - 28, males and females. Seeking to put together a great group of background to play diners in a nicer restaurant. Some couples, some business, a few groups like a birthday party or anniversary. Works approximately May 27, 2010 - May 28, 2010.

● College Students. Can be SAG or non-union. Ages 18 - 28, males and females. This will work various multiple days from May 10, 2010 - June 21, 2010.

● College Judo College Class Students. SAG. Ages 18 - 28, males and females. Seeking college age only, that have a higher skill level of Judo training. List your experience in your submission. And let them know if you have your own uniform. Works approximately June 11, 2010.

● Tai Chi College Class Students. SAG. Ages 18 - 28, males and females. Seeking college age talent that have some experience in Tai Chi classes. Please list your skill level and experience in your submission. Work dates TBA.

● Community College Faculty and Staff. Can be SAG or non-union. Ages 35 - 60, males and females. Seeking talent that can pass for college staff and office workers at a present day Southern California Community College. Works approximately June 4, 2010 - June 11, 2010.

● Tattoo Parlor Patrons. Can be SAG or non-union. Ages 18 - 60. Seeking a wide range of interesting faces that have Tattoos. Some salty old marines, some younger edgy hip and trendy types. Think Melrose or Long Beach Types. Friendly, but no one over the top. Works approximately May 19, 2010 - May 21, 2010.

● Security Guards. SAG. Ages 28 - 48, males. Seeking security guards for a couple of scenes that work a day here and there in the project. If you look like a security guard or even a cop. please submit. Works various dates from April 29, 2010 - June 25, 2010.

● Superstore Employees. SAG. Ages 18 - 70, males and females. Seeking interesting faces that might work in a big store similar to K-mart, Target or Walmart. Works approximately June 21, 2010 - June 24, 2010.

● Automobiles. Seeking SAG and non-union extras with everyday cars. Not beat up and old, and not rich and fancy. Just your everyday vehicles in the following colors: green, tan, blue, brown, grey, silver, maroon, etc. No red, black, or white cars. Tell us your vehicle year, make, model and color in your submission. Include a photo if possible.

To submit for any of these roles, download the Carol Grant Casting Registration Form, fill it out and send it along with your photo to the following:

Carol Grant Casting
PO Box 5710
Balboa Island, CA 92662

For principal acting roles please visit the following site:

Acting Auditions - Larry Crowne Auditions

Extras open casting call for Robert Pattinson / Reese Witherspoon feature film 'Water for Elephants'

*** Important Update ***

A wild rumor has spread all over the internet that this casting call is to "Star with Robert Pattinson". This rumor is FALSE. The casting notice was NOT posted by the films producers, rather it was posted by the film's contracted EXTRAS casting director, Sande Alessi. These are NON-SPEAKING roles. The production company will not provide transportation or accomodations for extras. Please read the following post before working as an extra:

Background Actor (Extras) Guidelines

Fox 2000 Pictures and Flashpoint Entertainment are in pre-production for the feature film Water for Elephants, which will pair Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. The film is being directed by Francis Lawrence, who is also set to direct Snow and the Seven for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The extras casting directors are holding an open casting call for Los Angeles area extras to work on the film.

Open Extras Casting Call Details

CASTING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

Where:

Sande Alessi Casting
13731 Ventura Blvd.
2nd Floor
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

When:

Saturday, April 17, 2010
12:00pm - 2:00pm

Here are some of the specific needs:

● African American males with short 1930's style haircuts. No shaved heads. Size 46 coat or less.

● Caucasian females with shoulder length hair or shorter. Size 6 or less.

● Caucasian males with very 1930's era looking faces. Size 46 coat or less.

● You must not have any tattoos, piercings, breast implants, artificial nails, or highlighted/colored hair. Natural looking color is okay.

● Both SAG and Non-Union extras are welcome to attend the open call.

● Please bring a 3"×5" current color snapshot, or they take one for $2.00 at the open call.

Pay for this film is standard pay for Los Angeles area extras:

Paid up SAG Members - $134 for 8 hours plus any overtime.
Non-Union - $64 for 8 hours plus any overtime.

Filming is set to begin May 17, 2010 in the Los Angeles, Fillmore, and Santa Paula, CA areas.

To submit for Principal Acting Roles, please visit the following site:

Acting Auditions

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end up in the trash can), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

FOX 2000
10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Building 78
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Gil Netter Productions
1645 Abbott Kinney Blvd.
Suite 320
Venice, CA 90291

Flashpoint Entertainment
9150 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 247
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Producers:

Andrew Tennenbaum
Gil Netter
Erwin Stoff

Director:

Francis Lawrence

Starring:

Reese Witherspoon
Robert Pattinson
Christoph Waltz

Story:

As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

Casting Call for 'Friday Night Lights' extras in Austin, TX

The NBC Universal TV series 'Friday Night Lights' is currently casting extras and actors for it's 5th and final season. The show has been a critical success, lauded for its realistic portrayal of Middle America and deep personal exploration of its central characters.

The casting directors are currently accepting submissions from interested Austin area locals, aspiring actors and those just looking for an interesting new experience. If selected to work as an extra, all extras positions are paid. All applicants must be US citizens and have valid photo ID and social security cards. There is no experience necessary.

They are seeking all ages, any ethnicity, all types who are able to work as football fans and various other extras roles in the Austin, TX area. Travel and accommodations are not provided. Shooting will take place from April 7, 2010 through August 13, 2010.

Some specific types being cast:

● Football Players: ages 18-24, any ethnicity especially African American and Hispanic, male, athletic types preferably with some football experience.
● Cheerleaders: ages 18-24, any ethnicity especially African American and Hispanic, MUST have previous cheerleading experience.
● Football Sideline Trainers and Managers: ages 18-24, male and female, any ethnicity, athletic types.
● Football Coaches: ages 35-65, male, any ethnicity especially African American and Hispanic, athletic types.
● High School Students: ages 16-23 and College Students: ages 18-28.
● Prisoners: ages 18-60, any ethnicity, tough criminal looking types.
● African American extras: all types and ages.
● Misc Roles: Teachers, Boosters, Parents, Townspeople.

In order to be considered for extra work, please visit the casting office website and fill out a free Talent Application and upload 1-2 photos. Click Here for the online application form.

For further information email casting at: fnl_extras@yahoo.com

Important Note: The casting directors are only seeking reliable people who will not book themselves for work and then either canceling at the last minute on the casting office voicemail/email when they are out of the office or simply just not showing up. This is completely NOT ACCEPTABLE. Only apply for working on Friday Night Lights if you are extremely reliable and trustworthy.

Extras Casting (Austin, TX):

Tina Kerr
On Location Casting
fnl_extras@yahoo.com
They do not accept walk-in registration or hold visitation in their offices.

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end up in the trash can), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Universal Media Studios
100 Universal City Plaza
Bldg 1320, 4th Floor
Universal City, CA 91608

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

Film 44
12233 W Olympic Blvd
Ste 352
Los Angles, CA 90064

Principal Actor Casting (Los Angeles):

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.

Linda Lowy
John Brace
4151 Prospect Ave.
Cottages, Room 105
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Producers: Peter Berg, David Nevins, Nan L. Bernstein, Sarah Aubrey, Brian Grazer

Director: Michael Waxman

Starring: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden

Story:

In the small town of Dillon, Texas, one night matters: Friday Night. Eric Taylor has recently been hired as the head football coach for the Dillon High School Panthers, the town's pride and joy. Friday Night Lights displays the stress that the town gives the high school players to win, and the hope that the team gives to a small town, and how a team has its low points, its high points, and how they come together as a team on their way to victory.

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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.

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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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