Be a Successful Background Actor in 2023

JANUARY 2, 2023

The new year is a great time to check that all your profile information is up-to-date so you’re ready to get booked by Central Casting and be a successful Background Actor in 2023.

Update your profile, including your measurements

Your online profile is an extremely important part of working with Central Casting. Our Casting Directors use the information in your profile when booking their shows, so the more accurate information you include, the easier it is for them to determine the types of roles you can portray. Be sure to check fields like playing age and measurements to ensure they are filled out and still correct for your current look.

Having accurate sizes in your profile is crucial to your success as a Background Actor. Your measurements are used when booking Stand-Ins and doubles and when production provides wardrobe. If you don’t have these details in your profile or if they are inaccurate, you may be missing out on roles you’re perfect for. Not sure how to take accurate measurements? Check out our easy-to-follow tutorial videos on our Measurements page.

While you’re updating your profile, it’s a good idea to double check your contact information, like phone number, email, and address. Also check this information with our payroll department at my.ep.com as we store information separately. If you have not logged in to myEP before, you can access with the same email and password associated with your Central Casting online profile.

Take new profile photos

Just like the information in your online profile, having photos of your current look is key to getting work with Central Casting. The main photos in your profile are the ones you took during Talent Onboarding and cannot be deleted. We know it’s likely these pictures no longer represent your current look, which is why we recommend updating your photos every six months or anytime your look changes. Keep in mind, photos should only be of you with your face clearly visible, be taken in good lighting, and free of touch ups and filters.

You can also add photos of you in costumes, specialty wardrobe, and in unique looks. When uploading additional photos, remember quality over quantity. Casting Directors recommend adding a casual, business, and formal look, then 1-2 photos of unique looks, like a uniform you own or a period role you can portray. They do not need to see multiple photos in the same or similar look, these only clutter your online profile and make it harder for Casting Directors to find the photo they need to cast their shows. When uploading photos, don’t forget to choose a slot (category) to classify your pictures. This helps Casting Directors understand the look you’re trying to portray and helps them find your photos in searches.

Any time you upload new photos, don’t forget to remove photos that no longer represent your look. If you have too many photos in your profile, especially photos that show a conflicting appearance, Casting Directors cannot determine which look is current and cannot use these photos to consider you for work.

Update your online availability calendar regularly

The online availability calendar gives Background Actors the ability to specify when they are available and interested in working. It’s important to remember that the online availability calendar is a tool to help you get booked, not a way for you to change responses to messages or cancel bookings. Instead, the calendar helps Casting Directors find you when they’re looking for available Background Actors on a given date. For example, if a Casting Director is booking a three day shoot, they can search our casting platform for Background Actors who have indicated they are available on those specific dates. We recommend updating your availability calendar regularly so Casting Directors can find you in these types of searches.

Make sure your minor is active and eligible to work

Did you know that once your minor is registered with Central Casting they can become inactive and ineligible to work? In order to work on our productions, minors must have a valid work permit on file with Central Casting. If your minor’s permit is expired, they will not be eligible to work until we have an updated version on file. Permit processes and other minor employment requirements vary by state, see our Minor’s Permit Guide for more information.

Brush up on your background acting skills

Has it been a while since you’ve been booked? Want to learn how to get camera ready for set? Our articles section has a ton of great resources to help you succeed as a Central Casting Background Actor. Here are a few to get you started.

Here’s to a successful 2023! Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay updated on all the latest from Central Casting!