Central Casting New York

Wow what is up with the angry staff working here? Get another job if you’re not equipped with handling crazy extras. That’s show business. My experience was horrible. When I signed up, the staff treated the group like cattle and when asked questions by the group they responded with abrupt snarky answers that left the rest of us wary to ask anything else. THEN after a year I had to go update my photos and the same staff members were there RUDE and MEAN. I heard this one short girl in the back flipping out about something and throwing things around while the front desk person asked… correction. told me to come back in a week because the girl was not able to do her job due to a bitch fit. I came all the way into Midtown, showed up on time, well groomed and excited only to be brushed off like bird shit from the shoulder. AWFUL

The lady at the front desk was very rude.

hi guys i want to apply i don’t know what to do,
I’ve read about all the posting here and it seems that this is a good way to make friend and find a help of what to do,

Central Casting is amazing to work for.
I’ve landed so many great roles and fun opprotunities through them.
The casting directors are always very pleasant and profesional.
Registration is easy and free.
The casting process is also very simple.
I definatley recomend checking out working with them either by registering directly or through Casting Networks Inc.

Welcome to the abyss! If you want to know what you’ll be in for look at this video

Then RUN!!!
Aside from the fact they use ANTIQUATED methods of communication the telephone in 2015! Everything that video says and some of the posters here is TRUE! Go to Grant Wilfley where they use modern methods of communication Internet and Email and Texting.
CC is the absolute abyss and the heart of darkness! No joke here!

One of the worst places to go to for extra work. These people are so disrespectful and do not deserve any work at all. if you join, find out for your self. Good luck.

By reading some of the other reviews, I feel like everyone has a different experience with CC. My experience has been fine. Registration was easy, you go into the office and fill out paperwork; and they take your pic for the Casting Networks website. Finding the Casting Networks website was a bonus for me, because I registered separately from CC and no I am getting booked for other jobs, outside of the CC shows. I feel that CC is what you make of it, when you are registered, set up your profile immediately; and you will start getting jobs sent to you.
Be persistent, keep applying. I don’t always get work, but I do get work. There are many other opportunities on there as well, and you could be lucky enough to work a shoot where you can get a union wavier, and be closer to getting that SAG membership.

I no longer go through Central Casting, so I have no skin in the game, but I used to get lots of background work through them.
If you are looking for extra work, this is one of a bare handful of places that is both legit and open for anyone to join. Let me repeat, it is legit. This is not a scam, this is not a place that just wants to feed you into their photographer/​acting school/​faux agent services. Central Casting is also open to everyone. Anyone can register and the chances are good that you will be cast for at least one background gig because they are incredibly busy.
However, for anyone starting out, Central Casting will not treat you like the prince or princess that you undoubtedly are. Central Casting tries to be civil, which is way more effort than the PAs on set will exert.
Think of Central Casting not only as the gatekeeper of background gigs, but also as the introduction to a whole industry that will only put up with you if you can:
1. Follow directions exactly without question;
2. Be quick on your feet, and nimble with your mind;
3. Be respectful of everybody, and I do mean everybody;
4. Realize that, as an extra, you are the least busy and least stressed person on set,;
5. Also realize that, as a non-​union extra, you are more trouble and cost less than the potted plants on set. Conduct yourself accordingly.
It’s not fair and it’s not easy, but there are a million people very much like you – maybe even more attractive or with a better wardrobe or more whatever – who also want to do background work, and you have to make it as easy as possible for them to hire you.
As other people have pointed out, if you can’t figure out the directions to register with Central Casting, then you will probably not do well with the rest of the background experience.

I would NOT RECOMMEND ANY ASPIRING ACTOR OR ACTRESS to go to Central Casting. The staff is VERY rude and disrespectful especially the male receptionist, he needs to get fired. If You’re looking for a reputable place, MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH. Central Casting is a waste of time and chances of you getting work is little to none. To all aspiring actors and actresses I wish you the best of luck and look for a reputable casting agency with friendly staff and informative casting calls. Best Regards!

my experience with central casting was great for a period of time until they informed me that i would be suspended for the rest of the year after being sexually harrassed by a pa on set. there was no consideration given to my side of the story– how democratic. a very hostile and unprofessional organization.
if you have had this experience please sign this petition.

Central Casting is one of the few places around the city that is good for getting background work in film or TV. I work anywhere from 2 – 6 days a week doing BG work, student films, and independent movies, and CC gets me at least one day of BG work per week.
When my phone rings, and it says «Hunter» from CC, it’s always a good thing. Other places have flaked out on me, but never has CC…

My children and I, have work with Cenex/​Central casting years ago in Burbank Ca.
The staff was very nice and professional. My children and I obtained a lot of work at the time. Shows like 187, Dangerous minds, ER, Sisters, Sister Sister, and Bay watch. I have no complaints. The New York division, I will visit soon.

I signed up with Central Casting as a summer job and got a lot of background work from them. They are very reliable with pay and you’ll probably get your paycheck in the mail the Monday after the week you work. They are very good with updating their workers about call times and location info and the whole system is very organized. They don’t tolerate cancellation well especially if its last minute (for obvious reasons). If you don’t have a legit reason for cancellation they will blacklist you.
As for on set thats not Central Casting’s job. I can say though that yea its true. I’ve seen extras who are chill and, like me, do it because its a good little part time job and then you have the snooty people who brag about being better than everyone else. I try to make the job as enjoyable is possible. Its by no means glamorous but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. I’ve met some really cool people on some of the shoots and we talk and enjoy each others company before being called onto set. Of course you do have to be professional and be a good listener. Thats what it all comes down to. Oh and thats one more thing I would like to bring up. The more professional and reliable you are to Central Casting, the more work you will get. So listen, be polite, and remember that while you are aloud to have fun this is also a job… but yea enjoy yourself too. XD

THIS IS LESS A REVIEW OF CENTRAL CASTING AND MORE A RESPONSE TO MISLEADING REVIEWS POSTED BY OTHERS:
Central Casting is a background casting agency. As other reviewers have said, if you can’t understand the basic directions to register, this probably isn’t the kind of job you would be successful at. A basic ability to listen and follow directions without objecting to the way the directions are being given, and a high tolerance for chaos are basic requirements for background work, in general.
If Central CAsting calls you and books you, you will be paid in a timely fashion. They are legitimate. That having been said, there are a number of other agencies booking background work and you can be connected to all of them by signing up at
. There are small fees for registering ($ 25 — one time) and being able to upload multiple photos ($ 4-​$ 6) and submit to roles (around $ 5). It’s really the way to go.
As far as people on set being professional, those comments aren’t really appropriate to a review of Central Casting, but would be relevant to the specific production companies that hire the PA’s that run the holding area on set.
There are many articles/​blogs/​face book pages about background work by background actors where you can get a flavor for what the work is like. It can be fun, you can always meet new friends, there’s usually some pretty darn good food, and sometimes you get to see A-​listers. There are also, always, a few fat heads on set acting like they’re something — but people know to steer clear of them.
Good Luck!

As an industry insider of sorts, I know professionalism when I see it. The acting business is NOT about people acting like your best buddy, professionals are very busy & you ARE expected to have a fully functioning brain. If you can’t handle this basic stuff, don’t waste time registering here. Better yet, save us even more time & don’t do acting work in any capacity.
They have an involved & elaborate system for registration but it’s not rocket science. If you’re able to follow basic directions & aren’t going on assignments or to the office looking for friends, you’ll be fine. I have seen & heard of plenty of actors who didn’t show up at the proper time, never notified anyone of lateness, complained openly about the work, etc. Some of the directions & things they say to folk could be classified as «treating actors like children» but having seen & dealt with unprofessional behavior myself, I understand the rationale behind it & have never had an issue with it. I have always found folks here are willing to answer questions if you ask nicely & treat them with respect.
Some words about extra work: Central Casting ONLY does paid assignments. They will also pay you in a timely fashion & give you checks that won’t bounce (which is more than you’ll get with some places).
I have also never been lied to by Central Casting about how long I had to be on the set, what I was doing or anything else. They WILL tell you if you have to be in lingerie or kiss someone or if it’s an overnight shoot or even if you have to portray a pedophile (again, something you may not get with other places). You get the informed consent to decide if you want to take an assignment or not.
Extra work isn’t glamorous & is tedious. That is the nature of the beast. You aren’t there to harass actors or crew & the PAs are supposed to be maintaining order. People aren’t going to treat you like their best friend & they DO have jobs to do. As an insider, I’ve been quite impressed with the general professionalism I’ve seen on a good number of the sets by crew & the like. It also helps to remember that these people have to do a LOT more work than the extras & have to be on set far longer + for more days. This is also not the work you do if you want to star in shows/​films but you will learn what it’s like to be on a professional set & understand what professional actors have to go through along with directors, crew, etc.
The registered actors are a mixed bag. I’ve seen some incredibly professional people but I’ve also seen gossips, whiners & deluded people who think they are better than others b/​c they are in the union while others are non-​union.
Remember that ANYONE could be on set so if you can’t be respectful to everyone you encounter on these jobs, you don’t need to be an extra (and you bet if you did something crappy to me, I’d make sure to remember it & spread the word). Treat it like you would a 9 – 5 job. Most of them won’t give you ANY free food for that matter so don’t whine when the hardworking, stressed out crew members get to eat before you. There’s been plenty for everyone on the sets for major TV shows.
I also appreciate the fact that Central Casting claims to take no BS; I’m not sure if they follow through on blacklisting since I have not engaged in violations of what I’ve seen as very reasonable rules of conduct for extra work (in fact, they have called me about jobs before) & don’t know anyone who has gotten blacklisted. I have also not been disrespected but maybe I have some kind of vibe folks pick up on or they sense I’m an insider.
I think this is a good place for one to do extra work but you will be held to high standards of professionalism & expected to maintain them. Entitlement issues are not welcome anywhere in the business & especially not here.

Central Casting has a website that is very informative and helps a ton when you are preparing to register with them. I will not post the specifics because well– its specific! Do your research by visiting the website before you show up at their office. Men, women, union and non-​union all have different days and times for registration. Make sure you bring your passport, driver’s license, and social security card.
When you go there to register for the first time, you will be crammed like sardines in a tiny little corner of an office. You fill out paperwork, listen to their mini orientation about what its like to work as an extra, and then they take your photo. Done. It’s not rocket science.
BTW, don’t go crazy about «upscale attire». They don’t care about what you’re wearing, its just for the photo. Wear a nice top and call it a day.
Central Casting does A LOT of casting for films and television. They are a very busy company so you can’t take it to heart it they don’t hold your hand through the registration process. They probably see hundreds of people every month trying to register and honestly, I’d be sick of it at some point too.

TWO THUMBS DOWN! Where do I start with such a bad place. This is a movie extra/​backround company. Extras look for emplyoment here. If your sane do not go here. First the regristration process needs complete renovation. You have to call a number just to ask questions about regristation. There is no live person you can talk to its a recording. There is no directory for SAG (union) actors or non-​union actors. You have to listen throughtout the whole 7 rigorious minutes. Aside from fast, low talking, the man on the recording is stuttering and unclear 100% of the time. A directory would certainly help this sad excuse of a company. The days to come in for registration are confusing at the least, and once you get to the address, its a pain finding the place. Its located on the side of the block. Once I got to the 24^th flr after what seemed like years of traveling and inquiring, the man told me i was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Apparently non union members needed to come in tues n thurs 11am sharp. On the recording it said do NOT come before 11am so it was contridicting. The man insulted me and said lots of people dont have a problem. I will not go back nor will I recommend Central Casting New York to my worst enemy.