SIGNING IN
Please arrive 15 minutes earlier than your call time.
Please allow time to park, walk to set, take a shuttle so you are signing in before your calltime.
Do not be late!
When you are late the BG wrangler texts the casting director to let them know you are not signed in, they in turn text our staff to find out where you are at. This should be avoided as it disrupts everyone. We realize that it is often a hurry up and wait situation in this industry but that is part of the job. If you are going to be late you need to contact us on the emergency cell number which is in the signature of the email you received with your calltime information. That number is for one of our staff who is dealing with issues for that day. Once you are in the BG holding location you need to sign in with the extras “wrangler” who will give you forms to fill out. There are typically a number of forms to fill out. You will be given your voucher that is a record of your hours for your day. There is a spot for “agent” please put “Hollywood North Extras”. Some vouchers have a “send cheque to agent” spot. Please tick the box. There is a spot to fill in your social insurance number. You need to know your number and provide it for each day you work. If you are working on a work permit you will need to bring a photocopy of your work permit and a photocopy of your SIN letter each time you go to set. Failure to do any of the above can delay payment. You will also be given a release form to sign. This is a standard release stating that production can use your image. You will also often have to sign a confidentiality contract meaning you will not reveal plot, take pictures or post any information on social media etc. Always remember to sign out once you are wrapped. You will either be given a paper voucher with your hours or you can take a picture of it. You will receive a copy of this voucher when we send you your paycheque.
WAGES
Film and television productions pay an hourly rate from your call time to your wrap time. The most common non union hourly wage for working as a background performer is $15.85 per hour. Union of BC performers who are full union members are paid $26.59 per hour(8 hr min). Special Ability (SAE) work is $35.68 per hour(8 hr min). This is the rate paid if you are doing something that is a special skill, i.e., playing an instrument, riding a skateboard at a higher skill level, weaponry etc.
Employment standards labor laws apply to film sets.
Background performers are paid straight time for 8 hours. You are not paid for your meal break (usually ½ hour). Lunch is provided on set.
You are paid time-and-a-half for any time worked over eight hours in a day, up to 11 hours.
The rate is then double time for any time worked over 12 hours during a day.
We also book extras with vehicles, dogs or props such as a bicycle, musical instrument or skateboard. The usual rate for a prop is $35.00 for the day plus your hourly wage. Please note that simple props such as a backpack are not considered a paid prop.
PAYCHEQUES
We mail cheques and time report summaries by Canada Post. Cheques are sent to us from each production on a weekly basis. Productions typically mail the time reports summaries and cheques to us on the Friday the week following the work week. Once we receive their packages, we process payroll and issue cheques. Cheques are then mailed out to our clients within 3 days. It takes approximately 3 weeks to receive your cheque in the mail. If you have not received your cheque after 30 days, please email us a copy of the voucher which will have the name of the production you worked on and the date(s) worked. We will check with the payroll for that show and get back to you asap. Feature films, movies and television series pay within 3 weeks Photo shoots, corporate videos and commercials take longer. It usually take 6-8 weeks for us to receive payment.
The agency commission is 12% to 15% and is deducted from your hourly wage. We charge 5% G.S.T. on the commission portion that we pay back to Revenue Canada. Please note that we are not paid by the production companies for our service.
There is an annual photo management fee of $25.00. This fee is deducted from the first cheque that is issued to you. This fee also covers the cost of a monthly fee we pay to Agencyclick to host our database and display your profile to casting.