How to Land Movie Extra Roles: Reply Fast, Reply Once

Casting directors often fill a role quickly, so reply the same day the Open Call comes out. It does not need to be instant. You do not need to reply more than once. One clear "Yes, I'm available" on a role you can really do is the best reply you can send.

Why the early replies count

When a casting director posts an Open Call, they start building a list. Many roles are booked for the next day or two, so the time to choose people is short. A broad role, such as a general extra, can draw 20 to 500 replies or more. A specific role gets fewer usable replies.

That is no reason to panic-tap every role you see. It is a reason to check Open Calls regularly and to reply the same day when a role fits you. The weekly routine for finding casting calls shows an easy way to build that habit.

Check your dates before you tap

Before you reply, open the role and read the dates, the pay, and the location. Then look at your own week. Ask yourself a few plain questions:

• Can I be free for the whole day? Days are usually about 12 hours, sometimes more.
• Can I get to that location, and on time? Many days start at 5 or 6 in the morning.
• Is there any chance that something will pull me away on those dates?

If the answer to any of them is no, skip the role. Saying yes and then not appearing causes real trouble for the production. Your Calendar can help, since you can tap a day once for available and twice for unavailable, and it saves by itself. When you mark a date available and you are in the area, casting sees a small calendar icon on your profile. Marking your Calendar is not enough on its own, so also reply to the roles you want.

Tap Yes, I'm available once

When the role fits, tap "Yes, I'm available." One tap is all it takes. Casting sees your profile along with your reply, so there is nothing to add and nothing to repeat. Make sure your photos look like you today, since casting mostly picks from photos.

Tapping again does not move you up the list. If you are not sure the first tap went through, check the role or Replies instead of sending another. The article on what happens after you reply explains where answers show up.

Keep an eye on Replies

Casting answers arrive in Replies. When there is something new, a red number appears so you can see it right away. Open your phone's browser and check Replies once or twice a day while you are waiting to hear.

Some answers need a quick response, such as an availability request that asks if you are still free. Casting may send many of these to narrow down a pool, for example 400 requests to book 100 people. If you take two days to answer, the role may already be gone. Keep the site easy to reach on your phone, perhaps as a bookmark or a shortcut on your home screen.

If your plans change, tell casting

Life gets in the way. If a ride falls through, or you are sick, or a family matter comes up, tell the casting company as soon as you know. You cannot cancel through the website. Email or call the casting company that booked you. Your Calendar has an "email casting" link for this. Only the casting company can remove the booking.

Casting would much rather learn on Tuesday that you cannot come than on Thursday morning when the scene is short one person. Casting does not want to be up at 4 a.m. filling a 5 a.m. spot.

Get ready before a role appears

Speed is easier when your profile is ready. Make sure your two photos look like you today, with one headshot and one full-body or three-quarter photo. Keep your Calendar current. Check that your phone number and email are right, since casting may reach you by text or call as well. If all of that is done, replying takes a minute, and you can do it from a waiting room or a bus stop.

What keeps you getting booked

Each casting company decides how to treat a no-show. Many will ask why you did not come and may give you another chance, but repeated no-shows usually end it. Being late again and again, posting set photos when told not to, or asking the star for an autograph can stop casting from booking you again.

People get booked again when they are reliable and early, have a good attitude, follow the rules, and answer emails, texts, and calls. Reply promptly, show up, and be easy to work with.

Your next step

Open Calls is the next place to look. To be more selective about which roles you reply to, read which roles to say yes to. For the bigger picture on extra roles, see the guide to movie extra roles.