EXPLANATION FOR NEWBIES…..
HELLO EVERYONE! Thank you for your interest in finding a way to make some extra money and have a good time as well as going to many different sets and locations instead of the same old job everyday. Let me explain to you what it is that we do and who we are and then I will let you know how it is that you can become involved with our company.
Kalifornia Kasting has been in business with the same owner since July 17, 1992. WOW, that makes me feel old. Some of you were just babies back then. Anyway, we are considered a calling service. What we do is very easy to explain. We work on film, features (i.e. movies) television, music videos, industrials and commercials. Basically if you can see it, we do it. We supply productions and casting agencies with background talent. What that is for some of you that have no idea, is “extra work.” All those people you see in the bar in the background on shows like, “How I met your mother,” and “2 ½ Men.” That could be you, if you are interested in doing something fun like that. This job is perfect for students and people wanting to have a part time job that will work around their schedules. If you only have 1 day a week your available, we can work with you. If you can only start after classes in the afternoon we can work with you. If you’re only available on the weekends, no problem. In this industry there are many different times and days of work that are available.
At the end of this little ole explanation to you I will have a section with questions and answers to hopefully answer any questions you may have. Of course I’m sure we will forget something and in that instance we welcome you to email or call with any concerns you may have as well.
The reason we are considered a calling service is this... There are many casting agencies out there that represent particular shows. Meaning they were hired “specifically” to cast the background for the production companies. We represent the background talent because trying to get through to these companies and find work is difficult to do on your own let alone the fact that when you fit a particular category that they are booking for you have to remember that there are thousands, yes thousands of people just like you that are also trying to work on the same shows and in the same industry. We basically came into existence solely out of necessity and to give the background talent a voice and to have someone working for them and trying to secure them a job, when they have no time to do it on their own and they lack the connections needed to make it happen. We have many students we represent as well as full time background actors. Some of the people we represent are pursuing acting as a fulltime job and career. Some are doing this because when they have the time to get to a job, they want to have something fun to do, they love having bragging rights, “Did you see me on Melrose Place last night?” This job allows you to do your homework on the set because much of the day is spent in “holding” which is where background waits until they get to your scene that you were chosen for. What other job can u do that on? We keep referring to it as a job because remember, it is a job. Any set that we put you out on; you are a direct reflection on our company. We represent you and you represent us. This is a very fun job and different from any other job you will ever have. Most of the shoots that you go on will provide you a meal while you’re working. Some will give you credit for a “walk away” meal which means that you have time to go and have a meal either on the studio lot in the commissary or elsewhere time permitting. You will occasionally work on location which means just like it sounds, you will be filming at the beach, in a mall at a night club or even in a parking lot, or anywhere they have scouted to be filming that particular scene. When you are on location they will provide you with your meals. What other job does that? You will all be starting out non union except for those of you that have been around this industry and are already union either in Screen Actors Guild (SAG) or American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) unions. We will get into that with you later. We are writing this blog as a way of reaching out to students and people in general who would like to get into background work but don’t know where to start. We have been asked over and over again what you need to do to get started in this industry that requires VERY LITTLE MONEY and also pays you back. Well, were going to answer those questions for you, so when you are done reading this you will have everything that you need to start working on sets and enjoying your new job or hobby, whichever way you look at it
