Checking in on the Set

Now that you've made it to the holding area at precisely your call time, make sure you have checked in with the casting representative, A.D., or P.A. in charge of the extras.

You will need to get a pay voucher from them and fill it out completely. Proper ID is required to fill out the I-9 form so please have your legal identification ready to show (see the payroll section below for list of acceptable ID).

You will be responsible for keeping the voucher until time to turn it in at the end of the day. If the wardrobe department lends you clothing to wear in the scene, they may hold your voucher “ransom” for the day. You must remember to get your voucher from them when you turn in your wardrobe.

Wardrobe

The next order of business is to get you dressed for the scene. Unless we are providing special costuming for you or you were fitted ahead of time, everyone should have brought at least three different outfits from home. You will need to show all of these choices to the wardrobe supervisor or costumer for the extras. Do not bring clothing with visible logos or brand names or sports teams or cartoons, etc. We cannot endorse products or do unauthorized advertising.

The director will usually have a color preference for all of the actor's clothing so there may be specific colors it will be necessary to avoid. If you have not been warned ahead of time the usual colors to avoid are solid white, solid black, and solid red as well as bright neon colors, bold prints, and busy patterns. Black pants or skirts can be OK as long as you wear a different colored shirt or blouse.
BIG TIP: Soft-soled shoes are a favorite with the sound department.

When choosing outfits to bring, keep in mind that you may be asked to look like a completely different person in another scene. Glasses and hats and changing your hairstyle are effective ways to change your look.

Once you are dressed and have received final approval from the wardrobe department, your outfit must remain as it has been approved. It is most important when you are on the set. Do not rearrange your wardrobe for personal comfort after a scene "master" has been shot. That hat or coat (buttoned or unbuttoned) may well be in continuity.

Hair & Make-up

Everyone should have come with hair and make-up (ladies only, of course) already done, but the hair and make-up departments will need to approve your look. They will want to see you after you are dressed in your approved wardrobe.

Hurry Up and Wait ... And Wait ...

Now you are ready to roll. You are just waiting on us. Please remain in the holding area until called to the set. At various times throughout the day the AD's will call for extras to be placed in the scene. They will choose different people for different reasons. If you are not selected right away, please be patient and your turn will come.

Restroom Breaks & Lunch Time

There is usually a separate restroom area for the extras as the honeywagon has a limited capacity and must be reserved for crew. If an announcement has not been made about the location of the extras restroom area, please ask the P.A.’s.

When the lunch break is announced, if there is not a separate service line for the extras, all extras must wait for the crew to go through the lunch line first. Lunch is only a 30 minute break and the crew will be needed back on the set before the extras. The break time actually begins as the last crew member goes through the line so a PA will usually hold the extras back for the few minutes it takes get the crew through the line. Once given the OK, if a straggling crew person comes up to the line, please invite them to step in front of you. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Check-out & Payroll

At the end of the day or when you have been released from work, you must check out with a P.A. to have your voucher approved in order to be paid. Make sure you also receive your copy of the approved voucher for your records.

Pay checks do not come through the casting office. Every production utilizes a payroll service. The pay vouchers are provided by the payroll company and their phone number is printed on the voucher should you have any questions about your pay.

Checks are usually mailed to you in about two weeks. If you have an agent who requires that checks be sent to them. It is up to you to put your agents address on your voucher.

Helpful Terminology

CALL TIME - This is the time you are to report for work. You should be in the holding area at this time for check-in.

HOLDING AREA - This is where the extras report for work. Anytime you are not actually working on the set, you must be in the holding area. Please do not make it necessary for
the AD's to go looking for you when they might need you. You could miss your opportunity
in front of the camera.

BASE CAMP - This is where the cast and crew report for work. Basecamp is easily recogized by the massive trucks and trailers and equipment moving about. Please stay clear of this area.

THE SET or LOCATION - This is where that actual filming will be taking place.

BACKGROUND or EXTRAS or ATMOSPHERE - This is you! A background performer or extra does not speak lines alone. Extras can make crowd noises or be singing in a group, but cannot be scripted.

PANTOMIME or MIME - To act with only facial and bodily movements.

FEATURED EXTRA or SPECIAL EXTRA or SILENT BIT - May be used to describe an extra in a scene who is very recognizable on camera as a character or someone who is interacting directly with a primary actor, but still does not speak.

"QUIET!" - Means quiet. Whenever you are on the set there should be no talking. If you must talk to a production assistant or assistant director, please whisper and only if it is absolutely necessary.

"PICTURE'S UP!" or "STAND BY!" - Means everyone - even crew - must be absolutely quiet, we are about to roll.

"ROLLING!" - Means film is rolling; we are shooting.

"ACTION!" - This cue is usually for the primary actors or "stars" to begin the scene.

"BACKGROUND ACTION!" or sometimes, simplified to "BACKGROUND!" - This is the cue for the extras. Most of the time it will be called immediately before the actors get their "action" cue.

"CUT!" - We have stopped shooting. Wait where you are; where you ended the scene for further instructions.

"BACK TO ONE" or "FIRST POSITION" - The AD is now asking everyone to return to the point where they began the scene; their first position. We will be doing another take. Remember you should do exactly the same thing for each take unless an AD asks you specifically to change something.

"NEW DEAL" - We are ready to move on to another scene or set up. Wait for instructions. You will most likely be directed back to the holding area, but it could be that you need to change your wardrobe for another scene.

1st ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AD) - The person running the set; keeping the crew, the actors, and the director on schedule. The 1st AD works closest to the director.

2nd ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AD) - The person to set up the background in the scene and direct the extras. The 2nd AD also assists the 1st in scheduling, etc.

2nd 2nd ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AD) –This person may also set background. The 2nd 2nd assists both the 1st and 2nd AD’s.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT (PA) - The go-fers on the set. They work for the AD's.