I want to do extra work to gain set experience and become SAG eligible. I know Central Casting is the largest casting agency for background work, but when I call I always get a busy signal. I've heard you can pay a monthly fee for a call service to call for you. Does any one know the names of reputable call services? Is this a recommended way to go? Any suggestions would be welcome! Thanks!

Did you post on backgroundbeat.com ? That has a lot of info on calling services.

Thanks! I didn't know about that web site until you posted it. I found a lot of useful information!

Only go with Booked Talent. They are the best, believe me. I was with them for a while and they never disappointed me. I am actually rejoining with them again very soon.

quote:

Originally posted by LoveJoy:
I want to do extra work to gain set experience and become SAG eligible. I know Central Casting is the largest casting agency for background work, but when I call I always get a busy signal.

First of all, just so you are aware, working background does not guarantee that you will get 3 SAG vouchers to become SAG eligible right away. Some actors get them in a few months and for some it takes years. Just be sure that if you are going that route and you do become eligible, that you have also had some experience and/or training as an actor, because once you are union, you cannot do non-union jobs to get more experience to help build your resume, in addition, union jobs are harder to self-submit for and book.

As far as Central Casting, all the info you need for registration is online. Once you go to their location on Flower in Burbank and sign up, the call-in line is rarely busy, if ever.

Good luck!

A friend of mine signed up for one of these services. It was quite a while ago. It was called Cameo or so.

He said that you earn so little doing extra work, that the money for those agencies really tops off too much.

And they got him mostly those awful TV jobs, where they send you home after 7 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds, so you won't get the better pay that kicks in after 8 hours.

He went back to Central Casting and doing the calling routine and said he got much better jobs that way, more movies than TV.

If you sign up with central casting it's best to also sign with a calling service that they work with. It is a huge scam, but you have to pay to play. The only jobs central puts on the lines are very specific types that none of the calling services can fill.

quote:

Originally posted by superhotstar:
If you sign up with central casting it's best to also sign with a calling service that they work with. It is a huge scam, but you have to pay to play. The only jobs central puts on the lines are very specific types that none of the calling services can fill.

You mean you pay TWICE?
Once to Central Casting themselves, and
Once AGAIN to their calling service?