Retired? Try Background Acting
Are you retired and looking to supplement your income? Maybe you just want to find an exciting way to stay busy? If you're trying to figure out what to do in retirement, background acting may be right for you. Here's the lowdown on how to get on set as a Background Actor with Central Casting.
What are Background Actors?
Imagine a scene from your favorite TV show or movie. Maybe the main character is a surgeon at a hospital. The non-speaking actors who play nurses, patients, and family members are called Background Actors. Background Actors help make movies, TV shows, and other productions look and feel more authentic.
Central Casting casts Background Actors, Stand-Ins, and doubles in movies (Creed III, Your Place or Mine, We Have a Ghost), TV comedies (Bob Hearts Abishola, The Wonder Years, Only Murders in the Building), drama series (Blue Bloods, NCIS, The Mandalorian), and other productions. So if you're not sure about background acting or you want to try your hand at different roles, there are plenty of ways for you to get on set.
What are the benefits of background acting for retirees?
If flexibility is important when deciding what to do in retirement, Background Actors set their own schedule by determining their own availability. You can choose which jobs to submit for and relay your availability by responding to messages from Casting Directors. If you have vacations planned or want to work around your family's schedule, you can be as flexible as you want. Just remember, once you accept a job offer and are booked, you are expected to show up to set on time and ready to work.
Background acting is a great way to get on the sets of some of the most popular movies and TV shows. It offers you a front row seat to watch how your favorite shows get made and lets you be a part of the magic of the entertainment industry.
How do you sign up with Central Casting?
When you work as a Background Actor, you're cast based off your look and the information in your online profile, so you don't need previous experience to onboard with Central Casting or to be hired to work on set.
The first step is to complete the Talent Onboarding process. You can learn more about Talent Onboarding by visiting your location's Sign Up page.
Required documentation
In order to onboard with Central Casting, you must have the required documentation to accompany the Form I-9. You can learn more about required documentation by reviewing the Lists of Acceptable Documents .
How do I get work?
If you fit the requirements for a role, a Casting Director may reach out with an availability inquiry. Read this message carefully before responding and be sure to answer any follow up questions or include any materials requested. If you respond available, you may receive a follow up first avail message or booking offer. Check out our messaging guide for an in-depth look at the messaging process.
You can also proactively submit for work on our Jobs page. In these job posts, Casting Directors will include details for what they're looking for, including union status, portrayable age, portrayable ethnicity, sizes, and any other specific information they have. Read these posts carefully to make sure you fit all the requirements then submit according to the instructions.
You can learn more about what to do after you're booked in our articles 3 Things to Know About Getting Cast and How to Prepare for Your First Day on Set.
