When you are looking for work as a background performer it's important to act as a professional from the moment you register with a Background Casting Company or Calling Service.

Conveniently, in the back of the Background Artists' Holdon Log you'll find a listing of the Background Registration Companies which are organized alphabetically state-by-state and then by region. If there are a lot of listings for one state then we break it down by region (i.e.- California is broken down to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego). We also have many listings in Canada.

Within each Background Casting Company or Calling Service listing are nuggets of valuable information that, if used correctly, can help you make a positive first impression with these Industry pros!

Before you go and register you should know whether they see performers in person or if they just accept photos via mail or e-mail.

If they only see people via mailed-in submissions, make sure that you send them what they ask for.  If they ask for headshots, make sure your resumes are trimmed down and attached. If they ask for 3x5 photos where you have a white wall in the background and a black top on, then ONLY submit what they specify. Most likely they are doing this to bring uniformity to the talent they represent.

Make sure all of your photos are labeled on the back with your name, Union affiliation(s) and two phone numbers that you can always be reached at. Unmarked photos will end up in the trash. Here’s a real-world scenario:

The same goes with properly labeling your e-mailed photos. As more and more Background Casting Companies and Calling Services are using the Internet to submit pictures to production, make sure that when you email your photos over that the attachment includes your name (i.e. – “AJonesSuit.jpg”, or “BSmithCommerical.jpg”).

Don’t make the casting director hunt through pictures of “Smiley.jpg”, “Running.jpg” or “Swimsuit.jpg”. Use your first initial and last name within the name of the image. Always be consistent.