Being Booked

You are booked to work when you accept an offer for work and receive details.

It’s important to write down all the information given to you by the Casting Director so you’re prepared when you get to set.

Be sure to read our article 3 Things to Know About Getting Cast for everything you need to know about NY casting opportunities.

FAQs

• What do I do if I’m going to be late or need to cancel my booking?

  Call 646.205.8244 ext. 4. If you cancel, we ask that you give us enough notice to replace you. Note: You cannot cancel via text message. You must call our office.

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• Is there a guarantee of work?

  No, there is no guarantee of work because the needs of productions change every day. Due to the nature of background work, Central Casting can never offer full-time employment to any of the talent (i.e., you) it employs.

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

  This means our NY casting team is prepping a scene for a future date and is checking if you are available. If you do confirm your availability, please mark your calendar to limit conflicts. You become “first avail” (first available) for that show. Typically in these situations, Casting Directors will not be able to book you until the production looks at your photo and approves the look. Productions will not usually release any booking information until late afternoon the day before the shoot.

  If you are offered another job on the same day, we ask for you to give us the courtesy of the “first right of refusal.” Please call the office to 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 details?

  The Casting Director will give you your booking information, often in the form of a Details Blog. You will use the show name and 4-digit passcode given to you to access your booking information.

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

  Please check your voicemail before calling Central Casting. If the Casting Director did not leave a message, wait to see if you hear back. If you do not receive a call back, assume you are no longer needed.

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• What is a rush call?

  Rush calls are for immediate same-day work. When you respond to a rush call, you may be required to get to set as soon as possible.

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• Where can I view the New York Anti-Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Policy?

  You can view the New York Anti-Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Policy here and the Sexual Harassment Complaint Form here.

SMS Texting

• What’s Central Casting’s texting feature?

  Our Casting Directors may reach out to you via SMS messaging. In addition to checking your availability, Casting Directors will send follow up messages and Details Blog information through text.

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

  Every message from Central Casting will be personalized with your name (as it appears in our system), reference the name of the production, 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 uses SMS messages to check avail, ask questions related to the job, and provide Details Blog information. 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?

  This means 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 10-11am, you would answer: No.

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• I didn’t see the text until later, can I still respond?

  Yes, always respond as soon as you are able.

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• Can I respond to multiple avail texts?

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

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• Should I reply to multiple requests?

  Yes, please respond to every text message you receive. If a Casting Director books you, it is your responsibility to decline any other offers to ensure you don’t become double booked.

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• Did you get my reply?

  When Central Casting receives your message, we send a confirmation text message. For example:

  • “(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. Due to the volume of roles they are casting, please be patient as it may take a while for them to respond.

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• Can I change my answer?

  To change your response, reply to the message with either a Yes or No response. If you receive multiple messages in the course of a conversation thread, 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 call the office to cancel. You cannot cancel via text message.

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• What are the booking details?

  Depending on the production, booking details may or may not be communicated via SMS text message. If you are booked, the Casting Director will tell you how to get your full booking details. These instructions may include a Details Blog and Call Time Change Box.

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• Do I still have to call the Call Time Change Box?

  Yes. You must check the Call Time Change Box for your call time changes.

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• If I receive a text message from a Casting Director, does that mean I’m 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 text and never hear back?

  Thank you for replying. 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 about that role.

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

  Please resend your response.

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• What phone number will Central Casting text me from?

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

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

  Our SMS numbers are only designed to send outbound text messages and receive Yes or No responses.

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

  The system is designed to only accept Yes or No responses. Your response will not go through if you send anything other than Yes or No.

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

  Casting Directors often don’t receive call times until last minute, which is one reason we ask if you are available without time restrictions. If you are only available for part of the day, please reply No.

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• Why was there a link in my text message?

  Some Casting Directors and productions may provide additional reference materials with a wardrobe blog or similar resource. Please review all materials provided so you are ready for work.

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

  If a URL isn’t working, write down the URL address and enter it directly into a web browser.

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• Why was my text split into multiple parts?

  Not all cell carriers and service providers handle SMS messages in the same way. Some carriers, like Sprint, may split long messages. We cannot 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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• I’m 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 you 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

Once you’ve been booked, you are ready to get on set!

Please show up to set on time and camera ready. Check in with your contact and get your voucher when you arrive.

Your time on set will vary, but a typical day can last up to 12 hours. You are an important part of the production, please be professional and have a good attitude on set.

FAQs

• What if I forget my booking information?

  It’s important that you write down your work information. If you lose your Details Blog show name or passcode or if you have any questions regarding your booking details call 646.205.8244 ext. 4.

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• What if I’m going to be late or need to cancel?

  Call 646.205.8244 ext. 4. If you cancel, please give us enough time to replace you. You may not cancel via text message. You must call our office.

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• How do I find out if my call time changed?

  The Casting Director will give you a Call Time Change Box number or instructions on how to get your call time changes. It is your responsibility to get call time changes and show up to set on time.

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• Who do I report to on set?

  It depends on the production, but often a Background Actor’s main contact is the 2nd Assistant Director (2nd AD) or Production Assistants (PAs).

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• What do I do when I’m not filming?

  When you are not required on set, you will be taken to Holding. You can bring items to the holding area to keep busy while you are not working.

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• Can I bring a guest to set?

  Do not bring guests to the set with you.

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• What happens if I get hurt on set?

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

Payroll

For most productions, Central Casting handles both background casting and payroll. You’ll know you’re paid by us when your voucher says Central Casting and/or Entertainment Partners.

Contact payroll
800.562.2718
(select option #3 when prompted)

FAQs

• How soon after I work can I expect my paycheck?

  Paychecks are due to be mailed out on the Thursday after the week you worked or can be mailed out earlier depending on when the production turns in the complete and accurate vouchers.

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• Can I pick up my check?

  We do not currently have the resources for checks to be picked up. Payroll is handled in a secure area with 24-hour surveillance and delivered directly to the post office by our bonded driver. Paymasters do not have access to your paychecks.

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• How long does it take to receive my check after it has been mailed?

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

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

  Checks are processed as they come in from production. Production companies vary on how often they process and send in background vouchers.

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• Do I need to write my Social Security number on my voucher each time I work?

  Yes. We payroll many people with the same or similar names. You will need to put your Social Security number (at least the last 4 digits) on each voucher so we can correctly identify who we should pay. Your voucher will not be processed or delayed if we are unable to identify who worked.

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• How do I contact the payroll department?

  For payroll questions only, 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 address with payroll?

  You can change your address by filling out an Address Change Form. Remember, casting and payroll store information separately, so you must also change your address with casting by making a reservation for a Re-Registration and Updates session.

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

  Please fill out our Stop Pay/Reissue Form and submit via the instructions provided on the form.

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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, but it may take longer for checks cut in a previous calendar year. We cannot 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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• Can I request a work history?

  Yes, please call our payroll department at 818.955.6313. Be prepared to give your Social Security number, address, and the year(s) you worked. Please let us know if the request is for your own personal records or to enable you 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 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?

  Please fill out and sign our inquires and corrections form.

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• How can I verify my employment with Central Casting?

  For employment verification, call Entertainment Partners at 818.955.6313.

Re-Registration and Updates

At Re-Registration and Updates you can take a new photo, add additional photos, re-register your employment, and make profile updates. You must re-register every three years to remain eligible to work on our productions. Read our article When Should I Re-Register and Update for more information.

SAG-AFTRA members will need to present their current SAG-AFTRA card every time they come to Re-Registration and Updates.

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

Need to update your status as a SAG-AFTRA member?
Submit Here

FAQs

• What do I need to bring?

  You must bring photo identification to show security when you arrive for your reserved session. If you are updating your profile, you must bring the required documentation to accompany the I-9 form. More details can be found on our Register page.

  SAG-AFTRA members will need to present their current SAG-AFTRA card every time they come to Re-Registration and Updates. SAG-AFTRA members should always bring their current SAG-AFTRA card when they visit our office.

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• Can I take a new photo?

  Yes, you can take a new profile photo when you come in for Re-Registration and Updates.

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• What are some examples of additional photos?
  • Photos of you in unique and distinct wardrobe (homeless, doctor, formal, etc.)
  • Vehicles or motorcycles that you own and can work with
  • Pets you are willing to work with (pet photos must be submitted; we cannot take any photos of pets at our office)
  • Photos of you in costumes that you own (generic non-trademarked Halloween costumes, Santa Claus, etc.)

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

  You can change your status during a Re-Registration and Updates session. You must present your identification along with your current SAG-AFTRA card and fill out a data change form.

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• How do I change my file information?

  If you would like to update or change any information, you can do so my making a reservation for a Re-Registration and Updates session.

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• I’m registered at another Central Casting location but would like to work in New York. What do I do?

  If you have previously registered in person at another Central Casting location, but would now like to work in New York, you will need to make a reservation to attend a Re-Registration and Updates session. You can make a reservation by clicking the “Reserve Now” button above.