When you get to set you must sign in. Arrive 15 minutes earlier than your call time. Do not be late! When you are late the production calls the casting director and demands to know where you are, who then in turn call us and demands the same thing…This should never happen as it disrupts everyone. We realize that it is often hurry up and wait in this industry but that is the way it is. If you are going to be late you need to contact us on our emergency pager number which is 641-8490. Check in with the extras “wrangler” who will give you a form to fill out. It is a standard release form. There is a spot for “agent” where you must put Hollywood North Extras. You do not need to put your home address. Also, you will need to know your social insurance number, or provide us a copy of your work permit, which we forward to the production company. Failure to do any of the above can delay payment. Always remember to sign out once you are wrapped.

Payroll

You are paid an hourly rate from your call time to your wrap time. You are not paid for your meal break (usually ˝ hour) but lunch is provided on set. The pay scale varies, but most commonly is $9.50-10.00 an hour. It can go up to $25.00 an hour. The higher rate is reserved for union members who are part of the Union of BC. Performers (you need to have 6 acting credits before becoming a union member). On occasion a “permit” can be given to a non-union extra. This can happen if you are booked as a Special Ability Extra because of a special skill, if you are doing something more specific, or if you are in a small scene. This does not happen frequently so consider it a nice bonus! We also book extras with vehicles. The usual rate for a vehicle is $35.00 for the day plus your hourly wage. The rate may be increased for luxury cars or period vehicles. Labour laws apply to film sets so you are paid straight time for 8 hours not including your meal break. The pay is then time and a half up to 11 hours and then double time.

Cheque pick up is on Thursdays between 11:00 and 3:00 p.m. We are in the Community Meeting Room at Metropolis at Metrotown. It is located to the right of Old Navy. Follow the hallway past the washrooms and there is a community meeting room sign above the door. We can also send out your cheque. The week your cheque is due you can let us know if you want it sent by leaving us a message on our voicemail at (604)430-3035. You can also send us an e-mail to info@hollywoodnorthextras.com Please include your full name, address(including postal code) and the name of the production. We will deduct the postage from your cheque and mail it out as soon as possible. We will make a note on your file is you prefer to pick it up or have it sent out by mail and we will do this each time. In order to avoid being inundated with calls about paychecks being in, we ask that you check the date you worked and then calculate three weeks from the Thursday of that week. We do not check to see if your pay is in! It will be in when you come to pick it up if you have filled in your form correctly and follow this procedure. For features, t.v movies and t.v series it takes us 2-3 weeks to receive your payment from the production company. Therefore if you calculate 21 days from the Thursday of the week that you worked it is then available for pick up. For commercials and corporate videos it can take a month or more to receive your pay. For these projects we do ask that you call the office first to be sure it is in, specifying which production. We hold checks for you and it is fine to let a few accumulate for one pick-up. For very overdue checks we might be required to forward your pay to be held in trust by The Employment Standards branch. If you have worked for the first time it is in your best interest to pick up your first check as soon as possible. At that time we do take your photo, enter your information into the computer and you are officially “on our roster”.

There is an annual $25.00 photo fee. This is deducted from your first check. There is 15% commission on all work and we are required to charge 6% g.s.t. on the commission. The agency pays in the form of a company check if the amount you are picking up is over $100. If it is under $100 we usually pay in cash. It is possible to cash our check at the Bank of Montreal on Kingsway with picture i.d. Please note that there is a $3.00 bank charge if you do not have an account with The Bank of Montreal.

Home | Extras Information Sheet | How to Apply | Dos & Don'ts | Casting Directors | Office Hours |
Children in Film | BC Film Links | Current Film List | Contact Us | Member Login |

© | Updated May 2007