What to Do on Your First Day on Set?

Make sure you arrive at the filming location on time!

While on set, look for an “Extras Holding” area and sign in with a directors-assistant (DA). Sets are often marked with direction arrows to help you find the holding area.

If you need to, ask any of the filming crew for directions, or for a DA.

Let the sign in person know that you are with Ontario Talent Agency. They will give you a payment slip to fill out.

Put your name on the slip and the address of the agency.

Do not forget to input your SIN number and any other payment info needed on this payment slip.

What do You Need to Bring to Set?

Every background actor needs to bring a photo id, proof of address, and a copy of the Workplace Safety Certificate with them to set.

**Filming productions require you to bring 2 documents to prove residency.

Two of the following will be acceptable:

• a bill in your name.
• tax receipt.
• driver’s license.

Make sure you have a copy of your Health and Safety Certificate.

Take this mandatory course to get your certificate.

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/elearn/worker/index.php

How Will I Get Notified of Work and Call Times?

After your registration is complete, most of the communication between us will be via email.

A production team will send our agency a request for talent in the form of an email, which we forward to all the applicable talent in our agency.

Example Email:

Workday: January 14, 2022

Approximate start time: 9:00 am

Where: 123 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

Shuttle available/No shuttle (self-drive only)

Name of show: (productions always use code names instead of actual show names)

Pay Rate: Non-union: $14.25 per hour/Union: $29.75 per hour

This is the same email everyone signed up to the agency will receive.

It’s your job to respond to us in a timely manner, stating whether you can or cannot make the shoot. The spots usually fill up fast, so make sure you respond to our emails as quickly as possible.

People interested in the shoot will have their profile forwarded to the director who will choose the most appropriate individuals for the production.

Once the director makes his selection (usually on the same day), we will send out a confirmation email to the individuals who are booked for work.

The duration of the shoots can vary significantly, do not make any other commitments on the day of the shoot.

How to Fill Out the Payment Slip?

Returning background performers should be familiar with filling out payment slips.

New talent can refer to the image below for guidance on filling out the payment slip.

Performer Name: Your Name

Address: Ontario Talent Agency

123 New Street, Toronto, Ontario

Phone Number: Your Phone Number

Production Title: Provided on Set

Episode Title & Number: Provided on Set

Production Company: Provided on Set

Performer’s Signature: Your Signature

Date: Date You’re on Set

Call Time: Time You Started

Wrap TIme: Time You Finished

Rate: Hourly Pay Rate(As offered in the original email)

ACTRA Member #: Union Number

Either GST# or SIN#: Your SIN number

Ontario Talent Agency Commission

Our agency charges a standard 10% commission for regular background performances.

The production company will send your cheque to our office, where we will deduct our 10% commission, and forward the money to you.

Our agency will send you an email transfer or a paper cheque, depending on your preferences.

What is ACTRA? How to Join?

ACTRA stands for The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists: https://www.actra.ca/

Visit https://www.actra.ca/join/ to find more information on how to join the union.