How to Become a Background Actor – Talent Onboarding
Our How to Become a Background Actor series takes an in-depth look at everything you need to know to become a Background Actor with Central Casting. You can read more in this series in our How to Become A Background Actor article category.
Do you want to be a part of the next Hollywood blockbuster? Do you love TV and want to see how your favorite shows get made? People become Background Actors for a variety of reasons, but most start out the same, by signing up with Central Casting.
What is a Background Actor?
A Background Actor is someone who performs in a show in a nonspeaking role, usually in the background. Background Actors help make movies and TV shows feel more authentic. They’re diners in a restaurant, nurses in a hospital, students at a high school, and everything in between.
Every week, Central Casting books hundreds of Background Actors, Stand-Ins, and doubles in all kinds of productions, including movies like Avengers: Endgame, Queenpins, and Coming 2 America, and TV shows like Power Book II: Ghost, Raising Dion, and Mayans M.C.
How do I become a Background Actor?
To work as a Background Actor with Central Casting, you first need to make a reservation for a Talent Onboarding session at one of our offices in Los Angeles, New York, Georgia, or Louisiana. During Talent Onboarding, we will review your required Form I-9 documentation, then you will fill out paperwork and take a photo for our casting platform.
To make a reservation, visit your location’s Sign Up page then click the Reserve Now button. Any available sessions will appear here on our reservation calendar. All sessions open exactly three days in advance from the time the event starts; check the countdown message above the calendar for when the next event opens.
Once you successfully make a reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with all the information you need for Talent Onboarding. It’s extremely important to read the email fully and carefully to ensure you bring all required materials, are aware of safety policies, and know how to visit our office.
Required documentation
Everyone who onboards with Central Casting must fill out a Form I-9 and present the required documentation. This is a crucial step in the onboarding process; you will not be allowed to sign up if you don’t bring the original unexpired documents. Please be sure to read over the Lists of Acceptable Documents before you come to Talent Onboarding. You’d hate to be turned away because you weren’t prepared.
Minors
Central Casting registers babies 15 days old to teenagers 17 years old to appear in movies, TV shows, and other productions. Minors must meet the same I-9 documentation requirements as adults and be accompanied to Talent Onboarding by a parent or legal guardian.
While minors do not need a work permit to onboard with Central Casting, most states require a valid work permit for minors to be eligible to work on our productions. You can learn more about minor work permit requirements by state in our article Ensure Your Minor is Eligible to Be Booked by Central Casting.
Casting photo
After filling out paperwork, you’ll take a headshot and full body shot for our casting platform. Keep in mind that Casting Directors, Assistant Directors, and other members of production will see these photos during the casting process, so dress how you’d like to represent yourself.
The photo you take at Central Casting will always be the main photo in your online profile. Once you have access to your online profile, you can upload additional photos of yourself in different looks.
Registered and ready to get on set? Learn how to manage your profile and find work with Central Casting in our guides 7 Opportunities to Update Your Online Profile and A Starter Guide to Background Work.