Preparing for Your Workday

Casting agents will try to get the shoot details (e.g., call time and exact location) as soon as possible but, due to the nature of filming, this may not be until the evening before the shoot. If you haven't heard anything by 5pm the day before the shoot, please contact the relevant agency, quoting the name of the project and your character.

For agency contact details, see our Casting Agencies page.

Your check-in message will include all of the dates for your current booking. To see your booking history, select My Schedule in the top toolbar of your profile.

All of your booking information will be included in your check-in message, which will be sent via text email. If you cannot find the email or text, you can always view your messages in your profile by selecting the Inbox button in the top right corner.

The initial call time (when you need to arrive on set) included in earlier messages may change, as filming schedules change often. Your check-in message will include your final call time, so be sure to read the information carefully. You are responsible for knowing your call time and arriving to set on time.

Call times are set by production. While production may change the initial call time, supporting artists cannot request to change their call time. You should not accept a booking unless you are available for that day without restrictions.

Your check-in message will include details of anything you need to bring to set, such as a particular set of clothing and any hair or makeup instructions (this may also have been discussed if you attended a fitting). If you have not received specific makeup instructions, arrive makeup free with your hair down so you are a blank canvas for production.

The message will also confirm whether food will be provided or if you need to bring food (or money to buy food) with you. If food is not provided, you’ll typically receive a meal allowance when you’re paid for the day’s work. Regardless, it’s a good idea to pack a water bottle and snacks.

It’s also a good idea to pack a book or something to keep you entertained between takes (for confidentiality reasons, phones and laptops generally aren’t permitted on set, so you’ll be asked to hand them over for safekeeping when you arrive).

Your check-in message will state whether you need to provide your own clothing. If you need to provide an outfit, please do your best to meet the brief that production has provided.

Your check-in message may also include any specific hair or makeup instructions (this may also have been discussed if you attended a fitting). If you have not received specific makeup instructions, arrive makeup free with your hair down so you are a blank canvas for production.

It is a good idea to bring weather appropriate clothes as you won't always know if you’ll be shooting outside. If you are working on a night shoot or in winter, bring a warm coat and waterproof shoes to wear over your costume in between takes or on breaks.

Your check-in email will include details about how to get to set and you’ll generally need to let the agent know your chosen mode of transport as part of the check-in process.

If there is parking available, you may have the option to drive to set and will generally be asked to provide your registration number in advance. Be sure to follow the instructions in the check-in email carefully and arrive with plenty of time to park and make your way to set.

If you are getting public transport, make sure you plan out your route in advance and allow yourself plenty of time.

Production may also provide transport (e.g., a coach) to get people to set, particularly if there is a very early call and the shoot is at a studio or hard-to-reach location. All the information for the pick-up will be in the confirmation and check-in email that you will receive from the casting agent before the shoot. Make sure you respond to the check-in message as soon as possible. Pick-up points will usually be central and easy to get to by bus or taxi (e.g., Charing Cross or King’s Cross Station). You will still have to get yourself to the pick-up point, so be sure to plan your journey well in advance and arrive at least 15 minutes before the transport is due to depart to give you time to find the pick-up point. Your pick-up time will be earlier than your call time, so make sure you read the check-in information thoroughly.

However you plan to get to set, make sure you are fully prepared and leave yourself plenty of time. It’s your responsibility to arrive on set on time.

Productions often lay on transport to get people to set if there is a very early call and the shoot is at a studio or hard-to-reach location. All the information for the pick-up will be in the confirmation and check-in email that you will receive from the casting agent before the shoot. Make sure you respond to check-ins as soon as possible. Pick-up points will usually be central and easy to get to by bus or taxi (e.g., Charing Cross or King’s Cross Station). You will still have to get yourself to the pick-up point, so be sure to plan your journey well in advance and arrive at least 15 minutes before the transport is due to depart to give you time to find the pick-up point. Your pick-up time will be earlier than your call time, so make sure you read the check-in information thoroughly.

If there is parking available on a shoot, you will likely be asked if you are a driver or reliant on public transport in the availability request or check-in email. Be sure to follow the instructions in the check-in email carefully and arrive with plenty of time to park and make your way to set.

Please note that parking may be unavailable or production may prefer you to use the transport provided. Be sure to read each check-in email carefully as all transport information will be provided there.

Emergency contacts for both the casting agency and production should be provided in the check-in information. Only contact the production if completely necessary and pay attention to who is best to contact as per the check-in. Generally, you should contact the casting agency with any issues in the days leading up to the shoot and production on the day of the shoot.

Do your best to avoid any situation where this may occur but if it does and it’s the day of the shoot, notify the relevant casting agency immediately so that you can be replaced if required. You must also inform the on-set emergency contact, whose contact details will be in your confirmation or check-in email.