Central Casting

Go to the “Registration” section of this site and follow the instructions or call 818-562-2755 and listen for the registration information.

You need to register in person at our office so that we can conduct an interview, digitally photograph you and verify your I-9 and W-4 forms.

No but you need to be able to work in the Los Angeles area.

Dress to impress! Dress appropriate for your age and look. The picture we take will be seen by all Casting Directors when considering you for work and they will also be sent out to productions so Directors and Producers can view them. Come hair and make-up ready and avoid wearing white because the picture will be taking in front of a white background.

No. We hire non-speaking background actor roles, commonly called “extras.”

None. You just have to have a desire to perform an honest day's work, follow instructions and be able to enjoy working in the entertainment industry.

When you register you will be given instructions on how to seek employment through Central Casting.

No. We hire our children through several different children’s agencies. We suggest that you contact “Kids Background Talent” at 661-964-0131 for more information on how to get your child into the acting industry.

No. We hire as many non-union actors as we do SAG actors.

Currently you need to have worked on three SAG jobs as a background actor (each time earning a SAG voucher).

Excellent question; there truly isn’t a simple answer. The best way is to work as a non-union background actor as often as possible and do a great job, showing up on time and bringing the proper wardrobe. Occasionally there will be an immediate need for a certain look or ability on the set and if you are in the right place at the right time you will be offered a SAG voucher. Sporadically a casting director will offer you a SAG voucher if they are unable to locate a SAG member who fits the requirements of the production company.

Call the SAG membership office and make an appointment to join. They will tell you everything that you will need to do from there. You need to keep a copy of your vouchers and bring them with you.

Call-in services, also known as management companies, are very helpful but not essential. A great number of background actors successfully use them. These companies act as personal managers that assist you in the process of getting hired. They can keep track of your work schedules, provide your information to the casting offices and accept your work calls while you are busy on the set working. We recommend that you choose carefully which management company that you hire. A good way to find a reputable management company is to ask other background actors when you are working. Make sure that the management company that you choose has the resources and the connections necessary to justify the expense. Most management companies will charge between $50 to $70 dollars a month. Basically a day’s wages -- but can easily be worth the expense since most people spend more than that amount just calling in to the casting offices trying to get hired.

No, there is no guarantee of work because the needs of productions change everyday.

The answer to this question differs with each person depending on your look, wardrobe and skill levels. It will also depend on how much production is currently filming in town. The general rule of thumb is that our busiest seasons are from July through mid December and from January through April.

It could be a thousand different reasons -- which we can’t even attempt to answer. If you are not working as much as you think that you should we suggest that you try visiting more often, send your photo and resume to each casting director, call in more often or try a call-in service. If you still are not as successful as you would like or need you should probably reconsider doing background acting.

First of all it is critical that you write down your work information and keep it in a safe place. Do not try to memorize your details. Never call in for work without being prepared with paper and pencil. If you are working on a non-union voucher and need more information about your job for the next day, call 818-562-2799. If you are working on a SAG voucher and need more information, call 818-562-2700. A Central Casting staff member will call you back.

When you are hired make sure that you ask your casting director. Never hang up without making sure you know what kind of job you are working on.

SAG Men: 818-260-6100
SAG Women: 818-260-6110
Non-Union Men: 818-260-6120
Non-Union Women: 818-260-6130

Call 818-562-2966 and then press the box number that you were given.

It could be that you waited too long to call back or that the casting director is away from his desk. The best thing that you can do is to try back later or wait and see if you are paged again. Do not call the emergency number and ask “do you know who paged me?”

If you are working on a non-union voucher call 818-562-2799. If you are working on a SAG voucher call 818-562-2700.

Frequently the production company will change the time that you will be needed to arrive at work. Unfortunately that means that on occasion we will need to call you late at night to tell you the new information. We apologize for the inconvenience but it is a required part of the job. Please make sure that you keep your phone on and that you check your answering machine in the morning.

We know that this is extremely frustrating but you need to be quick and call immediately. Remember that for every job description you fit, 25 other actors also fit the same description. Sometimes you will be the first to get through and sometimes you will be the last. Keep trying.

When you register you will be asked the year, make, model, and type of car you own on the registration form. You may add a picture of your car to your file for an additional picture fee.

We do not register pets but we do often cast background actors with their own dog. You may add a picture of your dog to your file for an additional picture fee.

When you accept a work call you should be available the entire day. Work days usually start early in the morning and typically last 12 hours. When you are booked on a night call you should typically expect to work until sun up the next morning.

You can add an additional photo to your file for a fee. We can either take the photo or scan one of your pictures. These additional pictures should be a different look than your first picture.

We do not accept pictures for registration on the internet or through the mail. If you would like to send a picture to an individual Casting Director send it directly to them at our mailing address.

Resume is not needed for general background work. If you are an experienced Stand-In a resume listing your experience would be to your advantage.

Central Casting holds visiting the first two Thursdays of each month for union talent and the third and fourth Thursdays for non-union talent. Visiting begins at 9am and lasts for one hour. There will be different Casting Directors each week. If there is a fifth Thursday during the month than there is no visiting on that day.

Central Casting has a no gift policy. A thank you card is a great alternative.

Yes, you will need to register again on a union registration day.

Yes, you will need to register at our Burbank office to work in Los Angeles.

Central Casting
220 S. Flower Street
Burbank, CA 91502