Can I be a film extra?

Yes! You can register as a Priority Artiste to be put forward for jobs in your area including urgent casting calls OR apply for a specific urgent casting call.

Already a Priority Artiste?
Login to your Organiser

Not sure which is right for you?
See how it works

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Why be a Priority Artiste?

Register to become a Priority Artiste within the area you live and have a chance of being selected as often as possible during a year.


  • Priority Artistes get issued with an online organiser with notification of all the latest suitable jobs.
  • You get more job offers by being featured in a regional database.
  • Production briefs come in all the time and being in our database is the only way to ensure you are known to all our bookers and considered for appropriate productions.
  • Your photos appear on our website for productions to browse.
  • You get free access to an online organiser to manage bookings.
  • You are guided on how to get more work on set.
  • You are provided with online ‘need to know’ knowledge to be a successful Supporting Artiste.
  • You will automatically be considered for any appropriate Urgent Castings.
  • You are registered for a 12 month period.


If you have applied for an urgent casting in the past you are more than welcome to now register as a Priority Artiste.

Register as a Priority Artiste

Want to know more about the application process or pay? See Artiste FAQ’s

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How it works

Supporting Artistes appear in the background on set. Collectively often referred to as the crowd – the crowd that lingers in scenes behind the actors or more specifically using performance or musical skills.

Legally able to work in the UK and have a National Insurance number? You can sign up and become a successful Supporting Artiste if you are:

  • Flexible. Work can be sporadic, and at very short notice, Filming days can change too. It can be a great way to supplement income from a regular job.
  • Organised. Keep selfies and measurements up to date. This can mean updating selfies daily. Productions want to see what you look like today.
  • Reliable. Turn up early on set, be organised for bookings, check where you need to go and be prepared. See studio directions directory
  • Committed. It can involve long hours waiting on set or on location. So be patient and onset always treat the crew with respect.
  • Professional. Whether in a rehearsal or filming, a particular sequence may be shot a number of times and from a number of angles, for this reason, you need to remember your first position and what you have been told to do.
  • Considerate. On-set keep noise to a minimum at all times unless otherwise instructed. Get familiar with the lingo. See our A-Z guide
  • Ready. You may need to attend a costume fitting which is as important as a day’s filming.

Interested? At the Casting Collective we offer two options to become a Supporting Artiste:

Option 1

Priority Artiste Registration

Sign up and you will be put forward for all suitable jobs in your area for a 12 month period including urgent casting calls – with access to your online organiser for updates and guides.

Be a Priority Artiste

Option 2

Urgent Casting Call Application

Specific castings available now. Apply if you fit the brief and are not currently registered with us. You will not be considered for other productions.

See Urgent Castings
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Getting Paid

As a Supporting Artiste you are self employed for tax and National Insurance and therefore responsible for dealing with your own NI contributions and Income Tax.

No fee is payable upfront and we advise you never pay any agent anything upfront. The Casting Collective commission is 15% (plus VAT) on all work. An annual admin fee will be deducted from your first filming day paid in your 12 month registration period. The admin fee is £75 (inc VAT) for Artistes registered in London and South East and £20 (inc VAT) for all other regions. More about the admin fee.
Rates of pay are dependant on job and are updated regularly. See payment breakdown.

Want to know more about the application process or pay? See Artiste FAQ’s

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Being on set

Once registered as a Priority Artiste you will get the opportunity to work on various films, TV dramas, and commercials via your online organiser. This is how it works:

  1. Availability:

    First you are offered work, usually by email but also by text or phone. We will ask you to be available for certain date/s and we may also need you to agree to other criteria such as location, rate or haircut specifications.

  2. Pencilled:

    We have checked your availability and you have told us that you are free. At this point we will expect you to keep the date/s on a “Pencil”. We have put you forward to the production. “Heavy Pencilled”, we have checked your availability, you have been seen by the production and they have shortlisted you BUT you are not booked yet.

  3. Released:

    If you are not picked by the production company you are released. We will inform you of this by email or text as soon as we hear back from the Production.

  4. Booked:

    You’ve been booked ie selected by the production for filming, well done! We have confirmed the job to you by email or text. You may be required to attend a costume fitting ahead of your filming day, either way your final filming details will be emailed to you the evening before filming.

  5. Signing in on set:

    First, never be late! Sign in as soon as you arrive with the 2nd Assistant Director (2nd AD) or the Crowd AD – as this could affect the amount you are paid. On a ‘Paperless Payments’ job you need to make sure you give the AD your full name clearly on arrival and if the job is on a voucher you must make sure you pick it up on arrival and keep it safe throughout the day.

  6. On set:

    You will be told where to go and whether or not you need to visit hair & make-up or costume. Make sure you listen to all instructions being given to you by the AD. Do not ignore the AD and if you have questions and you can not find the AD then ask a member of crew.

  7. Catering:

    Your booker will confirm what meals are provided when you receive your filming details. If you are at a studio be prepared that you may have to pay for your own meals at the canteen and or you may be asked to arrive earlier than your call time for breakfast. Never go to catering unless you have been given instructions to do so by an AD.

  8. Wrap:

    At the end of your filming day you will be “wrapped”. If you do not sign out on a job you will not get paid, so make sure you find the AD and get signed off. For Paperless you will be emailed an estimated summary of your earnings for that day. Please make sure you keep your vouchers or emails for the work you have done until you have been paid as they are your proof that you worked.Get familar with the lingo. See our A-Z guide

  9. Getting Paid:

    Your earnings are important. You must make sure that you have uploaded your correct bank details to avoid any delay in payment and also a current copy of your passport to prove you are legally allowed to work in the UK. Payment can take 6-8 weeks from when you worked to when you get paid but on occasions, it may take longer. See more about payment rates

  10. Cancellations:

    The nature of filming dictates that schedule changes often occur. This may result in your filming day being postponed, rescheduled or cancelled. If this happens you may be entitled to a cancellation fee. See our Terms & Conditions

Want to know more about the application process or pay? See Artiste FAQ’s