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Know more on your rights as an ACTRA member during casting

DID YOU KNOW?

ACTRA Members do not have to pay a fee to be hired by a casting director on an ACTRA production!

CASTING IN FILM/TV

IPA Statutory Declaration for Casting Directors -This declaration is to confirm that there is no conflict of interest and recognizes that pressuring a performer or an agent to accept scale only or making it a condition of engagement is not permitted.

  • Articles 508 & 806 casting must welcome and consider above-scale Performers
  • ACTRA IPA Audition Sign-In Sheets are required (appendix 16)
  • Preference in Audition (for members of ACTRA) -A2806 & Preference of Engagement – A701
  • Requirements for the audition space/environment -A2809
  • No auditioning of background performers (nor casting/auditioning of stunt performers -unless they are performing a role).
  • Minors must be auditioned outside of school     hours (i.e. after 4pm weekdays)-A2713
  • Character breakdowns, sides/scripts should be provided 48hrs prior and not less than 24hrs prior to the audition
  • Auditions should be held in the location shoot – A2802
  • Self-taped / Virtual auditions:
    • Character breakdowns, sides/scripts available 48 hrs prior – A2802(b)
    • Requirements for auditioning dancers – see A2801(j): (i) and (ii)
    • Performers are not required to have complicated, elaborate, technical camera movements, zooms/angles, elaborate costumes, hair/makeup– A2810 and for virtual auditions: performer not responsible for recording, monitoring and adjusting sound levels nor editing of the audition – A2801(m)
    • Performer may request feedback for an audition callback – A2810
    • First audition: Performers not required to audition more than 8 pages – A2801(d). Subsequent audition – max. 12 pages – A2803(a)
    • Secured auditions only accessible to those concerned -A2801(k) & (l)
  • Accommodations for Performers with disabilities – A2801(f)
  • Audition fees include third audition for same role A2803, detained fee A2801, taking part in another performer’s audition A2804 and any work that falls outside- such as arranging auditions, arranging rehearsals, are payable at the hourly rate -A2301 (self-taped and virtual auditions counts as auditions for callbacks)
  • Performers shall not translate audition materials into English – A2801(c)
  • Preference of Engagement (members) applies to Background C301 & C501
  • Preference to members with respect to upgrades, additional work time & additional workdays, etc C401(d)
  • Performers may ask if a role has been cast – A2801(g)
  • When booking a Background performer, the performer shall be given the call time and location 12hrs in advance and they shall be given specific notice of the wardrobe requirements, sate, time and place of production, category of Background work and notice for night shoots C401a)b)c)
  • No Holds (ie. Keep this date free… is not permitted) –the performer is either booked A406 (booking) & A801 (booking notice) or is not A404 (availability enquiry)The performer is not obligated to hold a date (or multiple dates) that is not a confirmed booking. Casting may request that the performer/agent lets them know before they accept another engagement.  To reduce confusion, you should confirm your booking in writing (email) as per A801
  • Performers are required to provide to Production their personal information as proof of residency in Quebec. All personal information shall be kept confidential and held in compliance with all applicable privacy legislation A609a

CASTING IN COMMERCIALS

NCA Statutory Declaration for Casting Directors – This declaration is to confirm that there is no conflict of interest and recognizes that pressuring a performer or an agent to accept scale only or making it a condition of engagement is not permitted.

  • Articles 503 & 512 casting must welcome and consider above-scale Performers
  • Article 503 stipulates that a casting notice that indicates ‘scale only’ or ‘minimum’ or ‘non-negotiable’ etc is not permitted.
  • Product Conflict (art. 2001,2002 & 2003):
    • must be limited to direct competitors (ex. “all other Hair Products” instead of “all other cosmetics” or “all other yogurts” instead of “all other milk products or milk substitutes”)
    • only for roles that are residual performance categories
    • only on TV and when the commercial has aired in the last 9 months.
  • ACTRA NCA Audition Sign-In Sheets are required (appendix F)
  • Preference in Audition (for members of ACTRA) -art. 901
  • Requirements for the audition space/environment -art. 914
  • No auditioning of background performers (nor casting/auditioning of stunt performers -unless they are performing a role). -art. 902
  • Minors must be auditioned outside of school hours (i.e. after 4pm weekdays) and must have consent – art. 1602, appendix F & L
  • Audition fees include subsequent audition (callback) 907a), detained fee, detained fee (906) at a callback (907a), improv fee (905), taking part in another performer’s audition (908), special wardrobe (910) and any work that falls outside the areas covered (ex. Performer provides script) (916) Note: Self-taped and virtual auditions count as auditions for audition fees.
  • Preference of Engagement (members) applies to Group Background Performer roles – art. 701
  • No Holds (ie. Keep this date free…) -unless it is a weather hold (aka holding-call, in that case fees may apply) – art. 422, 418. Note: The performer is not obligated to hold a date (or multiple dates) that is not a confirmed booking. Casting may request that the performer/agent lets them know before they accept another engagement. To reduce confusion (hold vs booking), please confirm your bookings by email.
  • Performer’s call should include the appropriate details listed under article 1002: category/fee, location, number of commercials type(s) of commercial(s): web, tv, radio, wardrobe/makeup, agency/advertiser/product, production house, time of call, script, number of production days.

If there is a violation, please report it to ACTRA !