2007-04-16 07:50:34 · 9 answers · asked by buddyj68 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Edit -
guys, this guy is asking about Extra work.
It's different than a Talent agency. It's managed by extra casting offices and call-in services and the like.
the similarity is more like a temp agency or staffing service than a talent agency.
You should never, ever pay a TALENT agency any fees up front. Anyone that asks you to is a place you should immediately leave. But extra work is often managed by places that have some small fees associated. If you don't like paying any fee at all, there are other places to go, depending on where you live, but if you are very gung-ho about getting extra work you may think that paying your $25 to central casting for "pictures" is worth it.
In LA many of the major extras casting offices have a nominal fee to "register." this includes Central Casting.
All the above answerers are correct in that a place that asks you for money up front is a scam. However, many of the places make you pay to cover the cost of "registering" - ie; to take the polaroid (or digital photo) when you first walk into the office, to open a file, etc. Also every online casting site will charge some kind of a fee, whether it be a one-time charge to upload your pictures, or a monthly fee for submissions, etc.
I actually just looked up central casting LA (link below) and the fee is $25 for registering and $10 to change your picture, both for union and non-union. I feel like that changed, because I know there was some kind of a scandal about how they were charging up-front fees for non-union extras.
The thing is to be aware and ask questions. A one time fee of $25 for a photo is obnoxious but it's a different level of obnoxious than a place that says they will get you work and charges you $179 up front and makes you get new headshots with their recommended photographers for $600/session. (I just made up those numbers but I have heard of that kind of outrageous thing happening.) It may not be the same elsewhere, because in LA there are so many actors waiting to be exploited, the system just loves to find little ways to make money of of them. I have only worked as a movie extra once in LA, and yes I'm union and no I didn't have to pay a dime - but I'm not registered with any of the background(extra) casting offices, since I don't actively pursue background work.
If you are non-union and you are just looking at being an extra for fun, or whatever, make sure you realize the pay is usually really bad. I think it's $54 for 8 hrs. So if you live outside the big cities and a place is saying they can register you for movie background work for $65, realize you might not even make that back if you only get one day of work.
You can (and should be able to) work as an extra without any up-front fees, so the simple answer to your question is No - but the grey area is that lots and lots of places that will get you plenty of extra work but still try to squeeze out a few bucks to take your pictures, and the question is do you make a federal case about $25, or do you start a political movement in protest, or do you pay it and take the work. Central Casting gets away with charging a fee because they are so established and busy that anyone who really wants background work just writes off the fee and goes for it.
2007-04-16 10:46:23 · answer #1 · answered by lalabee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In New York City, no, you don't pay an agency to work as an extra, they pay you.
Typically, there are casting agencies that only work with movie extras and no fees are involved.
Actors never pay legitimate talent agencies, to work!
It may be different in the city where you live, especially if you are not in a major city such as: L.A., NYC, Chicago, Atlanta.
2007-04-16 08:52:09 · answer #2 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never pay $$$!!! Ever! Casting companies such as Central Casting in Los Angeles (there are others like this elsewhere) basically take a polaroid of you and keep you on file. You need to pro-actively work the agency - call regularly to let them know you are available for work and soon you'll be working as an extra (atmosphere actor!) regularly.
With enough work, you can continue working as is, and/or eventually Taft-Hartley into the guild.
2007-04-16 10:39:25 · answer #3 · answered by The Answer Monster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. If they ask for money up front it's a rip off. Usually all they want from a potential extra is a photo of a specified size. They usually specify what types of roles they are casting extras for (FBI agent, hotel clerk, security guard, casino dealer, etc.) so try to get the photo you take to them to be of the type to land the extra position you are after. For example, if applying for an FBI extra don't take a photo of yourself in a t-shirt and shorts with a big smile on your face, wear a suit with a serious look on your face. Facial expressions can make or break the deal.
2007-04-16 08:03:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never. Never pay an agency any money up front. If they think they can make money off of you - they will sign you - and then they will get a percentage of what you make. Never should you pay an agency anything up front.
2007-04-16 11:08:43 · answer #5 · answered by liddabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-04-21 09:10:41 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-03-03 00:06:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No and you don't need to belong to the screen actors guilde, if you are hired to play a roll that would be different.
2007-04-16 07:59:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a negative. All you have to do is show up at the screening time and be one of the first ones there.
2007-04-16 07:58:34 · answer #9 · answered by Adam S 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋