Being Booked

Your child is officially booked to work when you accept an offer for work and receive their details.

Make sure you write all their booking information down so you’re both prepared when you get on set.

When a Casting Director contacts you about work for your minor, you will often receive an alert in their profile and an email through our online self-service system. We recommend setting up email alerts so you never miss a message from Central Casting. To learn how to set up email alerts on your device, read these instructions.

FAQs

• My minor and I are going to be late or need to cancel. What do I do?

  Call 404.920.8011. When cancelling, please give us enough notice to replace your child.

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• Is there a guarantee of work?

  No, there is no guarantee of work because the needs of our production clients change every day. Due to the nature of background acting, Central Casting can never offer full-time employment to any of the baby actors, child actors, or talent (i.e., your minor) it employs.

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• What does “checking your avail” and “first avail” mean?

  When you hear these phrases, it means a Casting Director is prepping a scene for a future work date and is checking your child’s availability. If they are available, please mark your calendar to limit work conflicts. “First avail” means that the Casting Director cannot hire your child until production looks at their picture submission and approves the look. It’s typical not to get this information until the day before the shoot.

  If you are offered another job on the same day, we ask that you give us the courtesy of the “first right of refusal.” Just let us know so we can inform our show. They may option to offer to hire you first. You are still able to be hired elsewhere if we are unable to confirm a booking for you.

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• How do I get my child’s details?

  The Casting Director will give you your minor’s booking information, which usually comes in the form of a Details Blog. You will enter a show name (which may be different than the name of the project) and a 4-digit passcode given to you by the Casting Director. You can access your minor’s details in the My Details section at the top of this page.

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• What happens if I miss a call from Central Casting?

  Please do not call back until you have checked your voicemail to ensure the Casting Director did not leave specific instructions. If you do not get a call back, assume your child is no longer needed.

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• What is a rush call?

  Rush calls are for immediate same-day work, usually to replace a “no show” on set. If your minor is booked as a rush call, you may need to get to set as soon as possible. Please read rush call job posts carefully before submitting to ensure you fit the requirements.

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• Why has my minor not been contacted for work in a while?

  Our Casting Directors book Background Actors based on the needs of production. Be sure to fill out your child’s profile thoroughly and accurately so Casting Directors know the types of roles they can portray. You can also check our Jobs page for work opportunities.

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• What can I do to help my minor get booked?

  Through our online self-service system, you can now edit your minor’s online profile and receive job inquiries from Casting Directors. Here are some tips to ensure you’re putting your child in the best position to be booked.

  1. To get booked by Central Casting, you must first claim your minor’s online profile. To claim, select the log in button in our website menu, then choose the claim profile option. Once claimed, you will be able to log in and get jobs through our online self-service system.
  2. Casting Directors use the information in your child’s profile, like hair color, eye color, sizes, etc., when booking their shows. By filling out their profile completely and accurately, your minor will show up in more searches for roles they fit.
  3. Upload photos of your child in different looks and wardrobe. Casting Directors use these photos to make sure your minor’s look fits the role.
  4. Manage your child’s availability calendar. Keeping their availability up to date lets Casting Directors know when to contact you for work and helps ensure they don’t become double booked.
  5. Reply to emails and texts promptly. You will receive availability messages, job inquiries, and other communications from Central Casting via email. Be sure to enable alerts so you never miss a job opportunity. Also, add DoNot-Reply@centralcasting.com to your safe sender list, so emails don’t get lost in junk or other folders. Casting Directors may also reach out via text message and you can also view all communications in the messages folder of your minor’s online profile.

Messaging

• How do I submit my minor for work?

  Casting Directors will contact you directly when your child fits the look or requirements for a role. Be sure to completely fill out their online profile and add additional photos in different looks so Casting Directors can consider them for a variety of roles.

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• How do I know the message came from Central Casting?

  Emails will always come from DoNot-Reply@centralcasting.com and include a link to reply to the message via your online profile. SMS text messages can come from a variety of numbers, but will always include a link to reply via our online self-service system. These inquiries will also appear in your minor’s online profile.

  

  

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• What happens after I respond to a message?

  Our Casting Directors will review their responses then reach out if they intend to book your child. If they are not selected, you may not hear from anyone. Remember, your minor is booked when you accept an offer for work and receive details.

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• What does the phrase “without time restrictions” mean?

  When booking, Casting Directors may not know the call time (which can often change before the shoot), so they need you to have completely open availability on the date in question. For example, if your child cannot work between 3-4pm, they are not available without time restrictions.

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• I didn’t see the message until later. Can I still respond?

  Yes, always respond as soon as you can. Some messages will expire after a certain amount of time. When this happens, you will see a notification that submissions are closed. We recommend enabling alerts for Central Casting through your email provider so you can always respond to job inquiries on time.

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• Can I respond to multiple avail messages?

  Yes, you are responsible for letting Central Casting know when your minor is available to work. Once booked, you are also responsible for them not becoming double booked. If your child is on first avail, please let that Casting Director know before accepting another offer.

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• How do I know you received my response?

  After you respond to a message, you will be sent a notification detailing your response and confirmation we received it.

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• Why am I unable to reply to an availability message?

  Casting Directors may only accept responses for a certain period of time and your message may have expired. If the message has expired and we’re no longer accepting submissions for the role for which you were contacted, you will see a page that explains this when you try to respond.

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• What if I don’t hear back from a Casting Director?

  If you don’t hear back with an offer for work and details, your minor is not booked. However, given the volume of roles they are booking, please be patient as it may take them some time to respond.

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• What are my child’s booking details?

  Once you have accepted an offer for work, the Casting Director will let you know how to access your minor’s details, which will likely be in the form of a Details Blog. To access their details, enter the show name and passcode given to you in the My Details section of our website. Casting Directors get booking information as it comes in from production, so you likely will not receive details until the evening before the shoot.

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• Do I still have to call the Call Time Change Box for my call time changes?

  Yes, your minor’s call time changes will be updated on the Call Time Change Box. You can find the Call Time Change Box information in their Details Blog.

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• If I receive a message, does that mean my child is officially booked?

  You are not booked unless you accept an offer for work and receive details.

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• What if I respond to a message then never hear back from the Casting Director?

  Thank you for replying. Your response lets the Casting Director know your child is interested and available to work, but does not guarantee they will be booked. Depending on the casting volume, you may not hear back.

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• Can I reply directly to a text message?

  No, our texting numbers are only formatted to send outbound text messages from our online self-service system. When you respond to a text message directly, you will get a message indicating that you can only reply “Stop” to end text communication. We do not accept “yes,” “no,” or any other response through text message.

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• Can I call the number I received the text message from?

  No, our texting numbers are only formatted to send outbound text messages from our online self-service system. Please call our main line at 404.920.8011.

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• Why was there a link in my message?

  While you may receive an email or text message, all communication with Casting Directors happens through our online self-service system. Each communication will include a link to your minor’s online profile where you can reply to the message.

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• Can I get messages in a language other than English?

  No, the messages are only in English.

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• I’m not getting text messages. Does T-Mobile’s business message “opt-out” feature prevent me from receiving text messages from Central Casting?

  Yes. T-Mobile has released a feature that allows their customers to “opt-out” of business messages. In order to receive text messages from Central Casting, T-Mobile users will need to contact T-Mobile support at 1.800.866.2453 and ask for this feature to be turned off. Once the opt-out is removed, you will be able to receive messages from Central Casting. Even if you are a T-Mobile customer who has received text messages from Central Casting in the past, please check with T-Mobile to ensure you do not have the opt-out feature enabled.

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• Can I change my response?

  If your minor’s availability has changed after responding to a message, please call our office at 404.920.8011.

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• I’m not registered with Central Casting. Why am I getting these messages?

  We apologize for the inconvenience. Most likely your phone number was previously owned by someone registered with us, or provided to us in error.

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• Can I opt out of SMS messaging?

  As an employee of Central Casting you provided your mobile number to us so that we can contact you about jobs for which your child would be a potential match. However, if you no longer want us to reach out to you via text message, please reply “STOP” to the text message you received.

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• How do I set up email alerts on an iPhone?

  Adding Central Casting as a VIP sender ensures you don’t miss out on job inquiries and other communications. If you have an iPhone, follow these steps. If you have another device, please check your email app settings.

  1. Open an email from Central Casting
  2. Tap on Central Casting in the “from” field at the top of the page
  3. Select “add to VIP” below Central Casting’s contact information

On Set

Your minor is officially booked when you have accepted an offer for work and have received your details. Please show up to set on time and camera ready. Be sure to factor in time for check-in and parking.

Our article How to Help Your Minor Be Successful on Set has all the information you need to prepare for their work day.

FAQs

• What if I forget or lose my child’s booking information?

  Please write down your minor’s work information. If you lose their details or have any questions regarding their booking call 404.920.8011.

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• What do I do if my child is going to be late or needs to cancel?

  Please call 404.920.8011 as soon as possible so we can replace your minor or inform production. Under no circumstances can you cancel via text message. You must call our office.

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• How will I know if my minor’s call time changes?

  When you get booked, the Casting Director will tell you how to get your child’s call time changes. It is your responsibility to get call time changes for each booking.

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• What do I need to bring to set?

  Bring your ID and any additional wardrobe or props requested by production. Please arrive camera ready. If your minor is required to attend school on set, please bring any schooling materials requested.

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• Who do we report to on set?

  Each set is different, but usually a Background Actor’s main contact is the 2nd Assistant Director (2nd AD) and Production Assistants (PAs).

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• What do I do when my minor is not filming?

  When they are not filming, you and your child will be taken to a holding area. You can bring items to Holding to keep busy when they are not working.

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• Can I bring a guest to set?

  Do not bring guests or other minors not booked on the production to the set with you.

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• What happens if my child gets hurt on set?

  If you or your child are injured on set, you must report it to the Assistant Director and/or medic immediately.

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Payroll

Central Casting handles both casting and payroll services. When you register your child with Central Casting, we become their employer and, in most cases, are responsible for paying them.

Contact payroll
800.562.2718
(select option #3 when prompted)

FAQs

• How soon after my minor works can I expect their paycheck?

  Checks are due to be mailed on the Thursday after the week your minor worked. They may be mailed out earlier depending on when the production company turns in the complete and accurate vouchers.

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• Can I pick up my minor’s paycheck?

  No. At this time, we do not have the resources for checks to be picked up. Paychecks are handled in a security area with 24-hour surveillance and delivered by our bonded driver to the post office directly. Paymasters do not have access to your paychecks.

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• How long does it take for me to receive a check after it’s mailed?

  The checks are sent first class mail. While you will receive most checks within 2-3 business days after they are mailed, there are times when it could take longer through the federal mail system, particularly during holiday periods.

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• Why do I sometimes receive paychecks out of work date order?

  Checks are not mailed out in order of work date. Before we can cut a check, the production reviews and completes the voucher, and production companies vary on how often they process and send in the vouchers.

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• Do I need to write my minor’s Social Security number on their voucher every time they work?

  Yes, there are many people we payroll with the same or similar names. You will need to put your minor’s Social Security number on each voucher so we can correctly identify who we should pay. Your minor’s voucher will either be delayed or not processed if we are unable to identify who worked.

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• What is the best way to contact the payroll department?

  For payroll inquiries, please call 800.562.2718 and select option #3 when prompted. Representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm PT.

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• How do I change my minor’s address with payroll?

  Please fill out our Address Change Form to update your minor’s address with payroll. To update the address with casting, please make a reservation for a Minors Registration session.

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• How do I place a stop payment on a paycheck I never received?

  You can either fax or mail us your stop payment request. You will need to specify in writing that you are requesting a stop payment and include your minor’s name, Social Security number, address and signature, along with the work date and show name for the check you are missing. If the net of the check is over $150, you will need to sign a bank form supplied by our department and have your signature notarized before we can place a stop payment.

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• How long does it take to reissue a check after I request a stop payment?

  Five business days for current year checks, longer if the check was cut in a prior year. We are unable to reissue a check that has been stop paid until after we have received confirmation from the bank that the stop payment was successful.

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• How do I request a work history?

  Call 818.955.6313 or send your request in writing to our payroll department either by fax or through the mail. Be sure to include your minor’s name, Social Security number, address, and the year(s) they worked. You will also need to state whether the request is for your own personal records or to enable your minor to join SAG-AFTRA. SAG-AFTRA will only accept faxes sent directly from our payroll department certified by our manager.

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• How do I get my minor’s W-2?

  To access your W-2, visit EP’s W-2 page.

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• How can I submit an inquiry or correction to my tax form?

  To submit an inquiry or correction to your tax form, please fill out and sign our inquires and corrections form.

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• How can I verify my minor’s employment with Central Casting?

  For employment verification, call 818.955.6313. This is an Entertainment Partners line; they will be able to provide employment verification.

Re-Registration and Updates

We are closed for Minors Registration and Updates and all other events due to COVID-19. You can update your child’s information and add photos by logging in to their online profile.

Once registered with Central Casting, you can update your minor’s profile information and add additional photos by logging in to their online profile. By keeping your child’s information current, our Casting Directors can consider them for a variety of roles.

FAQs

• How do I change my minor’s status from Non-Union to SAG-AFTRA?

  You can change their status during update times. You must present your minor’s identification along with their current SAG-AFTRA card and fill out a data change form.

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• How do I change my minor’s file information?

  If you would like to update or change any information you can do so by logging in to your minor’s online profile.