I dunno if what I did was stupid or not. About several months ago I submitted to various agencies one of which was Slyvia Fay Castings.

I was called a few days ago by Ronen about how FX's Damages needed someone like me and he needed my Social Security to register me. The number he dialed from matched the number listed on the Ross Reports, or their own site, so I gave it to him. And an updated headshot via e-mail.

Anyway, I didn't get whatever part it was. But is that normal? I dialed the number and it went straight to their menu option and everything.

I found it odd, a reply out of the blue no regestration form, no one time fee. I realize all agencies work differently, how do they work?

This is a very good question, and you have a good instinct to be worried. However, I can assure you that Ronen is a legitimate staff member at Sylvia Fay, so you don't need to worry about it in this case.

Normally, a background casting director will ask you to come to their office and register so your full information is on file. For some reason, they didn't do that with you, so I would call them and see if you can come in to fill out their paperwork so that you no longer have to give personal information over the phone.

Probably what happened in this case was that you were in top contention for a featured background role. Usually the background casting director will call the actor first to get availability, and then they'll send several names/photos of available actors to the director for selection. The director will choose one, and the rest of the actors will be released (though you may not necessarily be notified if that happens.)

The above process refers to featured background work. Regular background work is much like temp work- if they need actors they'll call you, and if you are available it's yours to take.

I hope this has answered your question- have fun out there!

To clarify, Sylvia Fay Casting is not an agency. They're a casting service that does extra work.

I dont see why Ronen wants your SS number, they are not the payroll company.

Maybe they want to verify that you are legal to work in the USA.

Sorry for sounding obtuse but, does this mean that Sylvia Fay is a good resource for work in New York? I live on Long Island.

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Sylvia Fay is a good resource for work in New York?

you have to be more specific. what exactly do you mean "work" ?

Work as an extra, which I understand is what Sylvia Fay does. If anyone knows of reliable sources for acting jobs, I would be interested in that as well but I am well aware that I must begin from the bottom.

Your okay ! Ronen is legit. Nothing to worry about. But FYI I wouldn't do that to often. There are selective CD that I'm familiar with so I may at times do that. But the ones I'm not to familiar with I normally won't give it out so freely.

Thanks for the replies. I never heard anything from Slyvia Fay since then. Oh well. At least I know someone actually saw my headshot instead of chucking it.

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I dont see why Ronen wants your SS number, they are not the payroll company.

I dunno, is it for background check or something? Or to make sure I'm legally able to work? It's so common applying for work, I don't think twice about it.

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Sorry for sounding obtuse but, does this mean that Sylvia Fay is a good resource for work in New York? I live on Long Isl

No idea.

I think this agency: background inc is great, every time they call me they say it's 150.00. ALWAYS. The office is really small and a different person always calls me. At least a dozen. Their hotline always have something, all commercials. I remember when I went to their office, the door basically have a do not disturb sign. It says drop off this and that. At first I thought, "Will they call me at all?"

I end up turning down more jobs than I took, I did about 10-12 commercials. They call me never for one month, then once the next, and 4 at a time. I hate when I'm force to say no for whatever reason and then some other representative will call me for the exact same job right after I hung up.

Send them your headshot and a cover letter, they call you. You go in to drop off 5 headshots and pay them 50. That's it. My headshot is terrible that I took myself before leaving the house. Imagine if I had a decent one?

Then their's Central casting, only got 2 law and order jobs after a year of reg. I just sit in the court room and see how gorgeous Connie is, and then slowly realize the person she's talking to played Thomas Wayne.

Thanks Eug, I'll give background inc. a try.

That SFC does alot of extras casting, they are like one of the oldest companies around.

but along with them, a couple of non union extras castings do alot of work but for a fee, actors reps, divine, extra mile are worth looking into if non-union extra work for a fee is what you want ( low end work ).

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Originally posted by Eug:
The number he dialed from matched the number listed on the Ross Reports, or their own site, so I gave it to him.

That is no guarantee that it was not someone trying to steal your ID.

I called friend while sending Sylvia Fay's caller ID as I knew friend would answer right away.

I used CamoPhone at the time. There are other services for this including SpoofCall