How to Respond to Central Casting Messages
Central Casting is now using our casting platform to book Background Actors, Stand-Ins, and other roles across all our offices. Our new messaging process makes it easier than ever to get work, respond to availability inquiries, and correspond with Casting Directors.
If you haven’t already, claim your online profile by selecting the “log in” button in our website menu, then choose the “claim profile” option. Once claimed, be sure to update and fill out any missing information so you show up in Casting Director searches.
As part of our new casting platform, you’re going to receive more email communication from Central Casting than you have in the past. Add DoNot-Reply@centralcasting.com to your safe sender list so you don’t miss a message from a Casting Director. Your email provider will have tutorials on how to do this and you can also see our Profile Management page for instructions on setting up mobile phone alerts.
All messages you receive from Central Casting will appear in the inbox of your online profile and be sent to the email address you have on file. You may also receive a text message with a link to reply via our casting platform. If your text does not include a link, please log in to your profile and go to your inbox to view the message. We do not accept responses via text, you must respond via the casting platform.
Availability inquiries
Usually, the first message you’ll receive from a Casting Director is an availability check. These messages will include the Casting Director’s name, the name of the project, the date, role, and other information related to the booking. To reply, click the respond button then select “available” or “unavailable.” We ask that you reply to all messages as quickly as possible, even if the answer is no. This lets our Casting Directors know you are not available/not interested and allows them to look for other talent.
Some availability inquiries may have a limited response window. In these cases, if you respond after the message has expired, you will see a screen explaining the situation.
Casting Directors can also include additional questions in their messages. These additional fields will appear after you’ve clicked respond. Be sure to answer and include any information they have asked for as part of your reply.
If your availability changes, you can inform the Casting Director by calling your Central Casting office. You cannot change your availability by replying to availability inquiries.
First avail
If you’ve confirmed your availability, a Casting Director may put you on first avail for a project. This means they cannot book you right away because they have sent your photos to production or are waiting on additional information. First avail does not mean you are booked nor is it a guarantee of work. You can still respond available and submit for other roles at this time. If you are offered another role or are no longer available, you must call the Casting Director you are on first avail for to let them know.
Jobs page
If you want to get booked and on set, you can also check our Jobs page for roles you fit. In their posts, Casting Directors include information relevant to role like portrayable age, portrayable ethnicity, union status, and other requirements. Read these posts carefully to make sure you fit the description, then submit as instructed. Don’t forget to include any additional materials, like a current selfie or Stand-In resume.
When calling Central Casting
While most communication with Casting Directors will happen through our casting platform, there are times when you need to call the office, like if your availability changes while on first avail, if you’re going to be late to set, need to cancel, or need clarification on your booking details.
When calling Central Casting, it’s extremely important to follow the prompts that refer to Background Actors, talent, performers, etc. and select the option that best fits the reason you are calling. After registering, you became an employee of Central Casting, not a client. Please do not select or leave messages on prompts that refer to clients, production, studios, etc. We know you’re eager to find work and get on set, but calling or leaving a message on an incorrect line does not help you or our staff who are trying to help you. The FAQs on our Talent page have all the phone numbers you need to contact your Central Casting office. If you’re not sure which number to call for your situation, please call your office’s main line and follow the prompts.
Payroll
If you need to contact payroll, please call the payroll department at 855.500.2055. You can also log in to myEP to find information on your paycheck, pay history, and more on projects where you were paid by Central Casting/Entertainment Partners.
Technical support
If you experience technical issues claiming/logging in to your online profile, taking the anti-harassment training (Los Angeles and New York only), or need to update your email address on file, please contact our technical support team at 855.500.2055, helpme@centralcasting.com, or tech support chat.
We’re excited to be casting with our casting platform. You can learn more about your online profile and how to use the new system in our articles How to Manage Your Online Availability Calendar and How to Claim and Update Your Central Casting Online Profile.
