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.

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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• How do I submit my minor for work?

  Casting Directors will contact you directly when your minor 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• 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.

SMS Texting

• What’s the SMS messaging feature all about?

  Casting Directors may choose to reach out to you via SMS messaging. In addition to checking your child actor’s availability, Casting Directors will now be able to send follow up messages, and in some cases, details through text message.

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

  All messages from Central Casting will be personalized with your minor’s name (as it appears in our system), reference the project name, and all replies will appear in the same thread.

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• Why did I receive a text message from Central Casting?

  Central Casting is now using SMS text messages to check availability, ask questions related to the call or booking and/or provide preliminary details. The message format may look like this:

  

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• What happens after I respond to a text message?

  Our Casting Directors will review the responses and then reach out to any Background Actor selected to be booked. If you are not selected, you may not hear from anyone. As always, you know you are booked when you accept an offer for work and receive details.

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• What does “without time restrictions” mean?

  When a Casting Director asks if you are available without time restrictions, they want to know if you are available to work the whole day, even if the location or time were to change. For example, if you know you are not available between 1-2pm, you would answer: No.

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• I was on set and didn’t see the message until later, can I still respond?

  Yes, please respond as soon as you can.

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• Can I respond to multiple requests?

  Yes, you are responsible for finding work and letting Central Casting know when your minor is available to work. Casting Directors work independently to meet the needs of their productions, so once your minor is booked, you are also responsible for them not becoming double booked.

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• If I receive multiple requests, should I reply to all of them?

  Yes, please respond to each request you receive. If a Casting Director books your minor for a specific role, it is your responsibility to decline any other offers to ensure they’re not double booked for the same day.

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• Did you get my response?

  When we receive your message, we send you a quick confirmation text message, like the following:

  • “(Your Name), Your “YES” response has been received. Thank you. Remember, you are not booked unless you receive your details.”
  • “(Your Name), Your “NO” response has been received. Thank you.”
  • “(Your Name), Please respond only Yes or No.”
  • “(Your Name), Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, we are no longer accepting submissions for this role.”

  If you didn’t receive a confirmation response, please send your response again. Please note: the system is engineered to only accept a YES or NO response.

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• What if I don’t hear back?

  If you don’t hear back from a Casting Director with an offer for work and booking details, you are 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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• Can I change my response?

  Yes, simply reply to the original message with either a Yes or No response. If you receive multiple messages in the course of a conversation with a Casting Director, you will only be able to change your response to the most recent message. Please note: after you have received your details and are booked, you must follow the appropriate procedure if you need to cancel. You can not cancel via text message.

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• What are the role details?

  Role details may or may not be communicated via SMS text message depending on the production. If your minor is booked, you will be notified where you should go to learn your full booking, wardrobe, and location instructions. These instructions might include a Details Blog and Call Time Change Box number.

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• If I receive a text message, does that mean my minor is booked?

  Your minor is not booked unless you accept an offer for work and receive details.

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• What if I respond to a text message and never hear back?

  Thank you for your response. Sending a “Yes” response tells the Casting Directors that you are interested and available to work, but does not guarantee that you will be booked. Depending on the casting volume, you may not hear back.

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• What if I don’t get a confirmation message?

  Please send your response again.

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• What number will Central Casting text me from?

  Central Casting will use a variety of numbers to reach you. Once you receive a message from a Casting Director about a specific project, all follow up questions and replies will appear in the same thread.

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

  Unfortunately, our texting numbers are only formatted to send outbound text messages and receive a Yes or No response.

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• Can I respond with something other than Yes or No?

  In order for our system to read your response and provide it to the Casting Directors, we need to limit the text to only Yes or No.

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• What if I am only available part of the day?

  Casting Directors sometimes don’t receive call times until the last minute, so we are asking you if your minor is available for the full day. If your minor is only available for part of the day, please reply No.

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• Why was there a link in my text message?

  Casting Directors may provide booking details through a Details Blog. Some Casting Directors and productions may provide additional instructions with a wardrobe blog or similar resource. Please review any materials provided to ensure that you will be ready for work.

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• There’s a link in my text message that doesn’t work. What do I do?

  If for whatever reason a URL isn’t working, write down the URL and attempt to enter it directly into a web browser.

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• Why was my message split?

  Not all carriers and phone service providers handle SMS messages in the same way. Some carriers, like Sprint for example, may split long messages. Unfortunately, when this happens, there is no guarantee the split message will arrive in a predictable order.

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• Can I get text 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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• My minor is not registered with Central Casting. Why am I getting these texts?

  We are sorry for the inconvenience. Most likely your mobile number was previously owned by someone registered with us, or provided to us inadvertently.

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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 minor would be a potential match. However, if you no longer want us to reach out to you via text message, please call Central Casting and request that your number no longer be used for text messaging.

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

You can bring your minor in during Re-Registration and Updates to re-register and take a new profile photo. You must re-register your minor every three years to remain eligible to work on our productions.

We are temporarily suspending all Minors Registration and Updates sessions due to COVID-19. Please check our notices for updates.

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.