Before you leave
Use your booking details as the authority for your workday: review the call time, location, arrival and check-in instructions, and any hair, makeup, or wardrobe notes. Schedules can change, so follow the stated method for checking updates and acknowledge the message if asked. Plan your route and allow enough time to arrive by the call time.
Bring photo identification and any documents specifically requested in your booking details. If you belong to SAG-AFTRA, Central Casting advises bringing proof of membership. Bring only the wardrobe items requested; do not assume a general outfit list applies to every production.
Check in and follow directions
At arrival, use the designated check-in process and follow crew instructions about where to go. Background performers may wait in a designated holding area between calls to set. Listen to the assistant director and other authorized crew, ask a concise question if an instruction is unclear, and stay where you are directed until released or moved.
Wardrobe, continuity, and set etiquette
Follow the specific wardrobe and grooming instructions in your booking. A production may check or adjust a look; do not change it or add accessories without checking first. When given a repeatable action, perform it consistently from take to take and follow direction about where to look and when to move. Keep conversations and devices from disrupting filming, and do not photograph, record, or share confidential production information unless expressly authorized.
Waiting, changes, and safety
Waiting between setups is normal, but the length and pace of a day depend on the production. Bring practical layers or other permitted items only if the instructions allow them, and stay attentive for updates. Raise safety, access, or accommodation concerns promptly with the appropriate production contact; do not perform an action you reasonably believe is unsafe without asking for clarification. Follow the production's instructions for breaks, meals, and departure.
Before you leave set
Do not leave simply because your scene appears finished. Wait for an assistant director to tell you that you are wrapped, then follow the production's checkout instructions. Keep your booking information and any work or payment records you receive so you can refer to them if a question comes up.
Sources and further reading
- Preparing for Your Show — Central Casting
- How to Prepare for Your First Background Acting Job — Central Casting
Source information may change. Consult the current terms and instructions before acting on it.
