If you are unsure about guidelines and procedures, read through our Talent 101 section to find out how to be the best talent you can possibly be. We pride ourselves on having trained, smart individuals working with us. By following these steps, you can ensure yourself continued work.

Availability:

If you commit to working, you must be free the entire day and night. We never know how long the shoots will go, so you have to be prepared to stay until wrap. Arriving on time is getting there at least fifteen minutes early to guarantee you are parked and can report to holding by call time. Although we sympathize with your aches, pains, and emergencies, you must show up on time and stay until you are officially wrapped in order to receive payment. *Note* - If we take your availability, it doesn't necessarily mean you are booked. Please make sure we CONFIRM you.

Be Professional:

We want this to be as fun and interesting as possible for you, but please keep in mind that this is work, and you should treat it like any other job. Therefore, maintaining professionalism is key to success in this business.

Cancellations:

It is better to be there and on time than to not show up at all. If an emergency occurs, please call if you are running late or can not make the shoot, allowing us enough time to find a replacement. We will be much more forgiving if you do this as opposed to canceling with no notice. Not showing up or being late drastically decreases your chances of working again.

Cars:

If your car is used in a scene, be prepared to place a note on the inside dashboard with the production company's name, your full name, your cell number, and the word "extra." Also make sure your car has enough gas and is in good working condition. Don't wash your car before the filming. It is better to have a realistic non-shine. Car bumps are usually $25 extra. Most productions will not use red, white, or black cars unless specifically asked for.

Changes:

In this business we must learn to expect changes. Call time, wardrobe, location, parking, and more can be changed last minute, so make sure to constantly be checking the hotline before you leave home and before arriving to parking/holding.

Checking In:

You must check in with the extra's coordinator as soon as you get to holding. He/she will give you a voucher that you will fill out and hang on to until wrap.

Checking Out:

After you have returned all props and wardrobe, and have officially been wrapped, you will sign out with the extra's coordinator by giving him your voucher. At this point, you must present valid identification. A current passport OR a current driver's license AND social security card OR a current driver's license AND birth certificate OR a current driver's license AND a current student/work photo ID, if approved by coordinator/production assistant. Minors 15 years old and younger must have a copy of their ILLINOIS work permit on hand.

Food:

You will typically receive a lunch 6 hours after work begins. Lunches are usually very generous and tasty. A breakfast is sometimes given, but make sure to bring your own snacks to hold you over in case you have to wait until lunch. Especially make sure to bring your own snacks if you are on a special diet. If the filming goes into long hours, you will also be served a dinner. Please make sure to stay away from the cast/crew food line and the craft service table. Neither, unfortunately, is for the extras. The crew must eat first so they can get back to the set and get ready for the next scene.

Holding:

This is where you will check in and check out with the extra's coordinator and most likely spend the majority of your day. You will have a lot of downtime so make sure to bring stuff to keep yourselves occupied; however, make sure to personally keep an eye on your items because we are not responsible for lost belongings. Also, make sure to respect the holding area as if it was your own home. Clean up all messes and do not tamper with anything that doesn't belong to you. Never leave the holding without asking first, and make sure to use the restroom before you go to the set. It may be a while before you are able to break and go back to holding.

Positive Attitude:

Keeping a positive attitude is very important. Make sure to follow the golden rule when dealing with others. When working long hours, it is very easy to become tired and temperamental. Be aware of your actions, keep a smile on your face, and keep your head held high.

Prohibited Activities & Items:

All normal laws must be followed at all times. This means there is to be no use of drugs or alcohol, etc., and you must never show up to work under the influence. In addition to that, talking, cameras, cell phones, and autographs are not allowed on set. Please also remember to never look directly at the camera. No guests are allowed on set or in holding, except for minors who are required to have one guardian (18 years of age or older).

Props & Wardrobe:

If you are borrowing from the wardrobe department, make sure to return all props and clothing before signing out and going home. Un-returned items can lead to no payment or worse. If you are bringing your own props or wardrobe, remember the following: Bring props appropriate to the scene, and as always, keep an eye on your property. If asked to bring a bike, stroller, instrument, etc., you may receive a bump. As far as wardrobe, bring at least a few changes. The wardrobe department is very selective. The more options you give them, the more likely your chances are of getting on set and getting on camera. Stay away from reds, whites, blacks, bright colors, and logos, unless otherwise told. Be sure to bring different shoes and accessories as well. (Soft-soled shoes are best for stage work). We can not stress how vital it is to have options. Please make sure to dress for the appropriate season in the scene.

Safety:

We value your safety first and foremost. If you or another talent is hurt on the set or in extra's holding, immediately let the extra's coordinator know. Also, if you have a medical condition that we should know about, please let the extra's coordinator know prior to filming.

Helpful Terms to Remember:

Action! - The command from the director for the scene to begin. It indicates that the camera is rolling. (Extras start on "background action.")

Back to one! - The verbal cue for performers to return to the mark where they started the scene.

Blocking - The physical movement of the actors in a scene (where they are to be, where they go, etc.)

Bump - Additional money given to the talent for doing or bringing something extra.

Call Time - The actual time an actor/extra is due on the set.

Continuity - A scenario giving the complete action, scenes, etc., in detail and in the order in which they are to be shown on the screen. It is important to remember your every movement and what you are wearing in order to "keep continuity." This is also why it is important for you to stay until wrapped.

Checking the gate! - A verbal command to check the lens on the camera; if the lens is OK, the cast and crew will move on to the next scene or shot.

Cut! - A verbal cue for the action of the scene to stop.

Extra's Coordinator - The person in charge of the extra's in holding and sometimes on set. Make sure to follow all of his/her instructions carefully.

Extra's Holding - The designated area to which the extras report and stay while waiting to go on set.

Featured Extra - An extra that is given a prominent shot part in the scene. (Non-speaking)

Mark - A place marking or denoting where to stand. When working as a Stand-In, it is very important to remember the actor's marks and what/where they stood, sat, walked, etc.

New Deal - Ready to move on to another scene or set up.

Out Time - The actual time you are released, after you have changed out of and returned wardrobe.

Photo Double - A non-speaking performer who is cast on camera in place of a principal actor.

Pick Up - Starting a scene from a place other than the beginning.

Picture's Up! - Warning that the sequence of cues to shoot a scene is about to begin and everyone on set, including the crew, needs to be absolutely quiet.

Principal Role - A part in which the performer is hired to speak on camera.

Rolling! - The verbal cue for the camera film and audio tape to start rolling. Everyone must be quiet on the set and be prepared for "action."

Set - The immediate location where the scene is being filmed.

Stand-In - A performer used as a substitute for a featured player, for the purpose of setting lights and rehearsing camera moves; also known as "second team."

Time-and-a-half - Overtime payment of 1 and 1/2 times the hourly rate.

Voucher - Time slip with all pertinent information needed for getting paid properly.

Wrap - The completion of a day's filming or of an entire production. "That's a wrap!"