How to work on HEROES (NBC).
How I did it: My background acting career is in the capable hands of Extras Management. Extras Management handles my background acting career and they are legitimate, fair and experienced.
Extras Management is a CALLING SERVICE (owned, in fact, by Central Casting.) Extras Management is in constant contact with 12 different casting agencies. It would cost me upwards of $500 to list with each of those agencies on my own. They are NOT my agent, not my manager, so paying them a monthly fee is not a scam. Remember, agents and management take a percentage of your earnings. Extras Management gets paid for being there 7am to midnight each day and searching for work for you.
Lessons & tips: Registration is simple and straightforward and it happens at noon every weekday, no appointment necessary. One word of advice: BE ON TIME! Because both Central Casting and Extras Management are on a short, semi-industrial street in Burbank, parking is a problem. I recommend you park a block or so away and then walk (gasp! walk?) to their location. Extras Management is at the top of a flight of stairs and there is no door knob so just push the door to enter. (There is a reason for this.)
Inside, a nice receptionist will lead you to a room with a bunch of folding chairs and professional photo lights and a bland background cloth. First, you fill out a form. (Unless you are smart enough to download and print it from their website and fill it out in advance, which I recommend.) The day I signed up, Keri C. and I were the ONLY actors who were there on time. Nine others straggled in as late as 12:20pm. Not wise. After all, one of the things required of background actors it to BE ON TIME.
On the form that asks you to list existing wardrobe, make sure you ACTUALLY HAVE whatever you claim to have. Why? Because when you get a Tuesday afternoon call for a Wednesday shoot, you won't have time to rent a tux, for example. Although the website mentions bringing a couple different looks with you, no one does. It's best to take photos of yourself - from knees to head - in your various costumes and bring them in on a disc. No extra charge for this.
After you are walked through filling out the forms and your questions are answered, you are sent to the front desk to pay the fee. (It's $75 plus $10 for the generic photo they take of you, or $60+$10 if you are over 55.) After that, you can pay your monthly fee on the 15th of each month by phone with credit card, or one of several other payment methods. After you pay, you are brought back into the room and a photo of you is taken.
Also, if you are registered with Central Casting as you ought to be, they ask you to TELL Central that you are represented by EM; that moves you to the top of the priority list. Actually, it's easiest just to cross the street, walk in and sign on the EM clipboard by the interior window but be sure you list Extras Management's phone number not yours. A great added benefit for those who have online websites like me: you can list THEIR number as your representation.
Resources: Extras Management is the best at what they do. I highly recommend them.
Office Address Extras Management
207 S. Flower Street Burbank, CA 91502
Phone and Registration Info
Office: 818-972-9474
Registration Info: 818-530-5242
E-mail Kevin@ExtrasMngt.com
Directions to their Office The office is located in Burbank at 207 So. Flower St., 2nd Floor, between Olive and Alameda. From the 5 freeway, exit Alameda East and then turn left onto S. Flower. Thomas Guide coordinates are 563-H1.
