Actor's Guide to Getting Gigs in Louisiana

As a Louisiana-based actor for the past 2 yrs, the state has rapidly become the new "it" place to film movies. It's currently ranked 3 in production behind cities like L.A. and New York. (Yes, they're currently beating out Toronto!) If you want to be an extra, you have to know where to go, what to have, and who to talk to.

Where to Look

Talent Agency

Some talent agencies have a mailing list specifically for extras since the industry has gotten such a big push since the tax incentive was passed in 2002. Your best bet is to call them through their preferred contact method and ask if they're looking. However you should be wary of any agency that tells you that you need to pay them for extra's gigs (beyond a standard agency deduction of 10-15%), or that you need really expensive acting classes to be an extra. (You don't, trust me.)

Casting Company

There's several casting companies throughout the state that specifically exist to find extras for films. Some of them are free to list with, and others will charge you a small fee to be listed in their database. Some of them are:

www.couloncasting.com
www.bamcastingla.com
www.emergecastingla.com
www.fleurdeliscasting.com
www.ladavidcastingcom.com

Craigslist

neworleans.craigslist.org updates user-submitted job/gig listings daily. Many casting directors/companies that are working in Louisiana will use the site to put out information about casting calls that are currently going on, or if their looking for a specific-type of extra/stand-in/etc.

What You'll Need

-You'll need atleast 2 good pictures of yourself (they don't have to be professional) one should be just a "headshot" (a picture primarily of your face & shoulders) without glasses, jewelry, hats, and natural hair and make-up. You'll also probably want a full-body shot of yourself in classic, business casual clothing.

-Up-to-date and detailed contact information, your measurements (chest-waist-hips), and a list of special skills or talents. (Can you juggle? Do you swim? List it!) Any medical conditions, and detailed info about any vehicles (recreational or otherwise) that you'd be willing to let the production use in the film.

(If called) You'll have to produce documentation to prove that you're a legal resident of the US. This is standard I-9 stuff like driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport, SS card, etc.

How to Get the Gig

-List your availability as "open" on all your applications. Even if you're working a regular job, if you list yourself as being unavailable during weekdays, they'll never call you for a day gig, even on your 2 days off.

-Try to be as flexible as possible. Filming is going on throughout Louisiana, so if it's possible for you to drive up to Shreveport for a gig and stay with family the night, say so. You'll get a lot more offers this way.

-Offer to bring friends. Some times Casting Directors are just looking for more warm bodies on the set to make an audience or crowd scene come to life! If you have friends who have nothing better to do the day of the Casting Call, ask them if they'd like to participate.

-Call/email them back, but don't be ridiculous. If you haven't heard out of a Casting Director/Company after a 2 wks, feel free to call or inquire as to what's going on. You'll often find out that either a scene was cut, production filming changed, or that your "type" isn't needed right now. Occasionally they do lose paperwork, so don't fret.

-Keep track of who's in town, and who's going to be. You have a lot better chance of getting a background gig if you're one of the first to apply. Some "types" are overly abundant (college-aged males/females) and therefore work is given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

-Time of year is everything. Summertime is one of the hardest times to find gigs as many productions pull out of southern Louisiana due to Hurricane season. Also, many teachers, professors, and college students are now on summer vacation, so there's lots of competition for background work.

-The production/storyline matters. Big budget films have just that, a big budget. This allows them to spend more on things like casting, production, etc than normal films. This doesn't always mean that there'll be more background actors however as the store line will determine that. (Sleepy, quiet towns don't need a lot of people, but ones taking place in large cities do.) And proper funding can mean the difference between the need for 80 extras a day, or 120 extras a day.

-Get to know your Casting Director/Company. One way to guarantee residual gigs is if you spend a little time networking with either the Casting Director, or his/her Associates. Even if it's just a friendly "Hello" on-set, they'll remember your face, and the next time they have a gig come up for your "type" they'll give you a call first.