Kids Talent Onboarding/Registration
Central Casting onboards babies from 15 days old to teenagers 17 years old to work as Background Actors and doubles in movies, TV shows, and other productions.
Complete all steps to onboard your minor with Central Casting
Make a reservation
Gather your minor’s required documentation , then make a reservation to bring your minor to a Talent Onboarding session.
We are not holding in-person photo updates; proceeding with a reservation for photo updates will put access to your minor’s profile at risk.
Complete online application, upload photos, and e-sign forms
After making a reservation, click the link in your confirmation email to complete your minor’s online application. This information is used to create your minor’s casting profile, which Casting Directors use when considering them for work.
Your minor’s application, photos, and forms must be completed and submitted before attending Talent Onboarding.
All mandatory fields within the application are denoted with a red asterisk; these fields must be filled out. Anyone arriving without their measurements populated into their application will be turned away and unable to onboard.
Visit our office
Bring your minor’s required documentation to your reserved Talent Onboarding session at our New York office. We cannot onboard your minor without these documents and you will be turned away if you do not bring them to your reserved session.
At Talent Onboarding, you will complete paperwork and your minor will take an additional photo for our casting platform.
Required Documentation
In accordance with federal law, all registrants/employees must bring the required documentation to complete a Form I-9. Central Casting cannot onboard/employ anyone who does not have their original I-9 documentation with them, even those who arrived on time. Ensure the name on the I-9 documentation matches the name the reservation was made under.
The federal government requires that for the Form I-9, minors are required to either present one original unexpired List A document, or an original unexpired List B and List C document combination. If presenting a List B document to an employer that participates in E-Verify (Central Casting), the employer can only see/use a List B document that includes a non-detachable photo of the minor. Per Federal Law, Central Casting is not permitted to onboard anyone, minor or adult, who does not have the required documentation.
Per federal law, the non-photo ID options in List B do not apply to minors pursuing employment with companies that are E-Verify participants (Central Casting). This statement has been issued by the federal government regarding minors and Form I-9:
Per federal law, because Central Casting is an E-Verify participant, parents or legal guardians cannot establish identity for a minor in any other way than by presenting either a List A document, or a combination of a List B document that contains a photograph and a List C document.
5 Penn Plaza (10th Floor)
New York, NY 10001
By reservation only
(see step 1)
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Daily Schedule
Talent Onboarding FAQs
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What are Background Actors?
A Background Actor is someone who performs in a show in a nonspeaking role, usually in the background of scenes. Central Casting onboards minors from 15 days old to 17 years old to appear in movies, TV shows, and other productions. If you’re looking into how to get your child into acting, registering them as a Background Actor is a great way to get them on set experience.
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What is a double?
Doubles are people who look enough like a principal actor that they can replace them when the actor’s face does not appear on camera. Since there are strict laws regarding how long a minor can work, productions often employ minor doubles so they can continue filming when the principal minor is no longer available.
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When do reservations become available?
New sessions open up in New York exactly 3 days in advance. If all dates show “unavailable,” then sessions are either currently filled or not yet open. Check back often, as spots can open up any time due to cancellations.
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Do I need to complete my minor’s online application before attending Talent Onboarding?
Yes, your minor’s online application must be completed before coming to their reserved Talent Onboarding session, including uploading a photo, e-signing forms, and successfully submitting the application. A link to their online application will be included in the confirmation email after making a reservation.
All mandatory fields within the application are denoted with a red asterisk; these fields must be filled out. Anyone arriving without their measurements populated into their minor’s application will be turned away and unable to onboard.
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What if I don’t know my minor’s measurements?
Your minor’s measurements are a key part of their casting profile and are used by Casting Directors to determine the types of roles they can portray. This information must be populated in their online profile before attending your reserved Minors Talent Onboarding session.
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Do I need to upload my minor’s photos even though they’re taking photos at Talent Onboarding?
Yes, you must upload your minor’s photos as part of their online application before attending Talent Onboarding. You cannot submit the application without uploading a headshot and full body shot.
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I did not receive a confirmation email for my minor’s reservation. What happened?
If you successfully made a reservation, but did not receive an email, check your junk and other non-inbox folders. You can also search your email for notifications@calendly.com to locate your reservation confirmation. Remember, you must have entered your name, email, and clicked “schedule event” to make a reservation.
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I need to cancel or change my reservation. How do I do that?
Please review the email that was sent you from notifications@calendly.com to cancel or change your reservation.
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What if my minor doesn’t have the required documentation?
Those without required i-9 documentation (unexpired originals only, no photocopies) will be turned away.
You must also bring identification showing date of birth for the Age Verification form.
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Do I have to attend Talent Onboarding with my minor?
Yes, all minors ages 17 and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Homeland Security permits only the parent or legal guardian to fill out the I-9 form.
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Does my minor need a work permit?
Your child does not need a work permit to onboard with Central Casting, but in order to be considered for work, each minor will need a child performer permit issued by the state of New York in their profile.
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Does my minor need a trust account?
Per New York law, minors must have a Child Performer Trust account to obtain a child performer permit and work on set. You can learn more about trust accounts on the DOL’s Child Performer Trust Accounts page.
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What if my child is a member of SAG-AFTRA?
Please bring your minor’s current SAG-AFTRA card/receipt issued by SAG-AFTRA with you to Talent Onboarding.
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Can I bring my dog?
Pets and guests cannot be accommodated.
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How long is Talent Onboarding?
Talent Onboarding is approximately 20-30 minutes. Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your reservation. You will not be admitted if you arrive more than 10 minutes late to your scheduled session.
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Once my minor is registered, how do I find them work?
Please visit our Kids Talent page to learn more about responding to availability inquiries, submitting for work, and everything you need to know about working with Central Casting.
Central Casting is a participant in the E-Verify program. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s I-9 form to confirm employment authorization. Note: If the government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, we are required to provide you with written instructions and an opportunity to contact the SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.
Ensure Your Minor is Active
While your minor does not need a New York child performer permit to onboard with Central Casting, they will need a valid permit on file to be booked on our productions. To remain eligible to work, all those registered with Central Casting New York must take required anti-harassment training every year. You can learn more about required training on our Required Training page.
How to Get a Minor Work Permit
Minor’s child performer permits are valid for 12 months. You can apply for a child performer permit on the NY Department of Labor website.
If you need to receive your permit by a certain date, the DOL says to allow 15 days for processing.
Per New York law, minors must also have a Child Performer Trust account. You can learn more about trust accounts on the DOL’s Child Performer Trust Accounts page.
Email your child’s new permit to: regccny@centralcasting.com
We will update your minor’s profile within 1-3 business days.
For more about anti-harassment training, please visit our Required Training page.
First claim your child’s profile, then log in to update their information. Be sure to update their look and sizes as they change and upload current photos.
Forms and Policies
Forms and policies are for informational purposes only.
DO NOT print to bring to Talent Onboarding.
