ARTISTS FAQs
Becoming A Background Performer
How do I join as a background actor (BG)?
If you are reliable and flexible with your time, we want you! There are a number of required fields you must fill in to complete your profile, which will then be approved by a member of our team. Once approved, you’ll receive an email from us with further information.
Can I join if I do not live in Ontario?
Currently we can only accept individuals who are permanent residents and are legally allowed to work in Ontario. It is important that your address is up to date on your profile as some bookings may reflect on your location.
What do I need to do to join?
Please read our guidelines and then complete the required fields. You will need the following: 1) Social Insurance Number 2) A government issued photo ID 3) Proof of Ontario Residency 4) Full Body Measurements - these can be entered into the ‘Appearance’ section 5) Photographs: 1 x Current Look Body Shot (from your knees upward, arms by side, plain white background, and recent) 1 x Current Look Face Front (from your shoulders upward, neutral expression, plain white background, and recent) 1 x Current Look Face Side (from your shoulders upward, neutral expression, plain white background, and recent) 1 x Current Look Back of Head (from your shoulders upward, neutral expression, plain white background, recent) Once you’ve completed this, you’ll be added to the approval queue where the Ambient Artists Team will then review and verify your profile with you.
I've completed the required fields on my profile, why am I not approved?
Once you’ve completed your profile, you will join the approval queue where a member of the Team will review and verify your profile before you become a confirmed member of the Ambient Artists Community. Alternatively, if your profile is submitted but does not quite meet the guidelines, we will be in touch to confirm what you need to do to complete those final steps. Once you have been approved, you will be asked to pay a one time administration fee of $100 to complete the process and add you to the Ambient Artist Community. You will not be asked to pay when you apply, ONLY IF YOU ARE APPROVED to join the Ambient Artist Community.
Can I make a living from being a Background Actor?
We advise artists not to rely on being a Background Artist as their sole income. The vast majority of background artists have another source of income.
Can I apply for a specific project?
If you have heard about a specific project advertised and have not yet created an Ambient Artists profile, select "ARTIST APPLICATION" at the top right of the page to join our community. Once admitted, you will automatically be considered for specific roles if you match the brief.
Legal
What forms of ID do I need to provide?
Any government issued photo Ontario ID EXCLUDING HEALTH CARD is required to register with Ambient Artists for background acting work. A Social Insurance Number is also needed to register with Ambient Artists. International Students with student visas can be self employed, but they must comply with the conditions of their student permit. All these uploaded documents are kept securely and only viewable by the team in the office or if a production asks to see them.
What if I do not have a government issued ID?
If you do not have a government issued photo ID, SIN, or proof that you can legally work in Ontario, we will not continue with your application process. If you are an international student on a student visa and a study permit that allows you to work off campus while you study, you can work as a background performer as you are not employed by Ambient Artists and are classified as self employed. You must comply with the conditions of your student permit. Please keep in mind that this may create an obstacle regarding availability, as international students are only allowed to work up to 24 hours a week. For more information on working as an international student, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-off-campus.html#hours
Do you do background checks?
We do not require our artists to provide legal background checks. However, many productions, particularly if there are sensitive matters on set, may ask if you have previously been convicted of any crimes. Is it absolutely vital you answer honestly.
Being a Background Artist
How can I increase my chances of getting work?
The best way to increase your chances of getting work is to make sure your profile is complete and up to date. We search for artists via the criteria you fill out on your profile. The more up to date your profile is, the more likely you will match a brief we are working on. If you do not fill in your profile with all the relevant information, you may be missing out on potential opportunities.
How do I let you know I am available for work?
The best way to keep us informed of your availability is to keep the online calendar on your profile updated by clicking on the days and changing them to available or unavailable. It is best to keep the calendar accurate and up to date, as we often search for people who are available as a priority. Even if you have checked days as unavailable, we may still send an availability request for a gig we think you are perfect for.
How come I have not had much work recently?
Unfortunately, we have no control over the briefs that we receive nor final say of who is cast. The final say is given by the production. We always try our very best to get our artists as much work as possible. It is in our best interest to get you work as our business model is commission based. Making sure your profile is complete and up-to-date, arriving at all your bookings on time and acting in a professional manner on set, ensures the best possible chance of being submitted and landing work.
I have responded to an availability enquiry but have not heard back.
If you respond to an availability inquiry correctly via the provided link and before the cut-off time, you will always receive an automatic confirmation email to let you know that we have received your response. If you do not receive the confirmation, it means your response was not registered or you tried to respond after the cut-off time. If you have responded as available for a job, we will always try to let artists know the status of the job as soon as possible, but this can often be as late as the evening before the shoot day. If you are waiting to hear from us regarding a confirmation or release, please be patient. We are also awaiting response from the casting director or production who they would like to book.
I am no longer available for a shoot that I responded “available” for.
If you are no longer available for a booking you have confirmed, go into your booking report and select "CANCEL DAY".
My availability inquiry has timed out. What can I do?
We always try to give as much notice as possible for artists to let us know of their availability for an inquiry. However, due to the nature of the industry, the turnaround time is sometimes very short. If you have missed the cut-off time and are unable to respond, it is likely that the available background artists have already been sent to production and unfortunately the opportunity has closed.
Being On Set
What happens when first arriving on set?
When you first arrive on set, there will be someone there to tell you where you should go. Generally speaking, you will need to have your hair and make-up done, be dressed in a costume, and if it is a morning shoot, have breakfast. You will be directed to the various stations, and where BG Holding is. Please always follow the directions of the Assistant Director (AD) and other production crew. It is likely that you will be placed in a holding area before the shooting starts and between takes and scenes. Make sure you stay where you are meant to be. You must NOT wander off, as you may be required at short notice and production will not be willing to search for you.
What does a fitting involve?
If you are booked for a fitting at a job, it means the costume department needs to see you prior to the shoot day to fit you for a costume. The costume department, and hair and make-up departments will see you and prepare your look for the role you are playing on the shoot day. A fitting is a PAID commitment under the IPA.
How should I behave as a BG performer and on set?
You must behave in a PROFESSIONAL MANNER AT ALL TIMES. This includes: -Responding promptly and appropriately to availability inquiries and check-in requests we send to you. -Communicating professionally and appropriately with Ambient Artists including, but not limited to, all social media channels and via the team email. -Being reliable, polite and helpful on set. -NOT approach any leading or principal actors. DO NOT ask to take photos with any lead or principal actors. View your Background Coordinator or the Assistant Director assigned to the background actors as your boss. Follow their direction. Follow their rules. If you do not act in a professional manner, turn up late, or do not show up, this may result in you being removed from our community.
What if I experience harassment on set?
Any types of harassment (sexual, bullying, intolerance, etc.) WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. All productions operate on a no harassment, no bullying policy. If you experience or witness any types of harassment on set, report it immediately to the Background Coordinator or Assistant Director. You can also email ACTRA at info@actratonto.com, and/or, info@ambient-artists.com
Why have they taken my phone from me?
Some productions employ very tight security precautions to protect confidentiality. They may require you to hand in your phone in order to prevent photographs being taken of the shoot/sets/props etc. Please be prepared for this. You will usually be informed about this before attending the shoot. When you arrive, a member of staff will take your phone and label it with your name, and will keep it in a secure place until you are wrapped at the end of the day. You will usually be able to check your phone throughout the day when you have stepped off set. Please switch your phone off before handing it in. This is particularly true if you are in a period production before the time of mobile phones, and in costume. If anyone notices a familiar rectangular block tucked in your pocket, you will promptly be removed from set. Please note that even if you are permitted to keep your phone, you should not take any photographs on or off set, especially selfies in costume. If you are seen taking photographs, you may be removed from the shoot entirely and receive no compensation. Industry etiquette requires that your phone not be taken to set at all, but left inside your bag or a secure place in the holding area. Not only is it inappropriate to take pictures, but if your phone rings or goes off during a take, it will ruin the shot.
Will there be somewhere secure to leave my bag and other things?
Production should have somewhere secure for you to keep your items, often manned by professional security personnel, but this isn’t always guaranteed. If in doubt, ask. It is recommended that you do not bring valuables with you on a shoot.
How long are shoot days?
Filming days often involve long hours and early starts. Be prepared to set your alarm early. The length of filming days vary greatly, so you should be free all day and evening when you accept a job. We will always give you as much information as possible when we make our enquiries. Even though a shoot day may be scheduled for set hours, be prepared to be wrapped later than anticipated. Expect to "HURRY UP AND WAIT" when you are booked on a production. Many performers bring a book to keep themselves occupied while waiting to be called to shoot. Being booked on a production as a background artist often involves early call times and flexible availability.
I am on a shoot tomorrow, when do I get the details?
We often get all the shoot details (call time, exact location, etc.) very late on the evening before the shoot due to the nature of filming. The bookers will try to get them as soon as possible in the form of a check-in. If you have not heard anything before 6:00 PM the day before, please get in touch with us by emailing info@ambient-artists.com. Be prepared with the name of the project and your character.
I signed an NDA, what is this?
An NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) is an agreement confirming that you will not disclose any information about the shoot that you are on and the legal consequences of breaking the agreement. These are often comprehensive and include social network sites, so please be mindful of the terms of the agreement and take the commitment you are making seriously. This is normal and a necessary part of being involved in the media world and your agent will usually have reviewed the document prior to the shoot. However, if you have any questions about the content of the NDA, feel free to contact us before signing. You should not accept any job as a supporting artist if you are not willing to keep the confidentiality of the project. In summary, do not mention any projects you are on, or may be working on, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or any other social networking site (anywhere online). Background artists should not, as a general rule, list themselves as cast members on IMDB.
What if I want to drive to set?
If there is parking available on a shoot, you will probably be asked if you drive or are reliant on public transport. This will be asked either in the availability request or the check-in. Be sure to follow the instructions within the check-in carefully and arrive with plenty of time to park and make your way to set. If (for example) your call-time is 7AM, do not arrive at the set at 7AM. Be on set, signed in, and ready to work by 6:55AM AT THE LATEST! Please be aware that parking is not always available (for example, the shoot is in Downtown Central Toronto). Production may prefer you use transportation that is provided, so please read each check-in carefully. All transport information will be provided there.
What should I do if something goes wrong on my way to filming?
Emergency contacts will be asked for in the check-in information to be shared with us and the production. Contact will be made to these numbers if completely necessary and please be mindful of who is best to contact as per the check-in requirements.
PAYMENT
How much will I earn per day as a BG Artist?
Average gross daily earnings for Union Members can range from as high as $250 to $300 a day. To learn more about hourly earnings visit: https://actratoronto.com/working-background/ The amount you will be paid varies by role and job. The rate of pay is included in every availability inquiry sent out. This is so you can have all the information you need before accepting.
What fees will I be charged?
There is only a one time administration fee to pay once you have been approved into the Ambient Artists Community. There are no annual fees, or other fixed fees of any kind, to become or remain a registered artist with Ambient Artists. When you are successfully placed in work by one of the bookers using our platform, Ambient Artists commission is 10% (plus HST) of your earnings. We are required by law to charge HST on our commission as it is a service provided to you by finding and processing the work. If you have an HST number, you will be able to add it to your profile and it will automatically appear on your voucher. You will always be told the payment rate before accepting any engagement. If you do not get any work, you do not pay any commission.
How do payments work?
The following steps take place to pay you for the work you have completed: On the day of shooting, you will need to sign in and wrap out with the Background Coordinator or AD (Assistant Director) so that your shoot time can be accurately logged on your profile. The production company will input the completed salary vouchers. This is a paperless process through Entertainment Partners’ “E-Voucher” system. You will be signed in and wrapped out directly via the platform and will not receive a paper voucher. You will be given an opportunity to review the details received from the production company through the "Job Review" section of your profile to catch any mistakes or omissions. This will be a full breakdown of your remittance so you can check if your payment is correct and otherwise have a final chance to note any queries prior to an invoice being processed. If you do not confirm or raise any queries within the allotted time, the BG coordinator and/or AD will move forward and send the end of day salary voucher.
How will I be paid?
Once Ambient Artists receives payment, we will deduct our commissions + HST and send your earnings via electronic deposit. A breakdown of your earnings will also be provided. Electronic deposit is preferred, as it is significantly faster for our artists to receive payment.
Does Ambient Artists have access to my bank details?
The ONLY access Ambient Artists has to your bank details is for direct deposit purposes. We cannot access your account.
How will I be taxed?
Our Background Artists are considered self-employed, so it is the artist’s responsibility to register with the CRA and declare their earnings correctly to pay accurate income tax and include it within their annual tax returns. You should be able to deduct any commission, administration fee and HST as business expenses when calculating your net earnings, subject to income tax rules. Please seek professional advice on your personal tax situation, as we can not offer any tax advisory.
Is Ambient Artists my employer?
Ambient Artists is not considered your employer. You are employed by the production as an independent contractor.
Your profile
Has the information on my profile been saved?
There is no save button located on your profile as the platform automatically saves the information you enter once it is selected or input. The border of the field will appear green if the information has been saved correctly. If there is any problem with the information you are entering, a notification will appear, or the border of the field will turn red.
How can I change my password?
If you have forgotten your password, follow the "Forgot Password" instructions. Once you are logged in, you can set a new password from the Account Settings page. This can be found under your name in the top-right menu selection. If after following these instructions you are still having difficulty setting a new password, please contact https://www.ep.com/support/. Please contact info@ambient-artists.com with the subject heading: "NO PASSWORD RECEIVED" only if you are still experiencing problems after contacting Entertainment Partners.
How do I unlock my profile?
You will have ten attempts to log in to your profile before it is locked. If your profile has been locked due to incorrect login attempts, visit https://www.ep.com/support/. If you are still having difficulty after this step, please email info@ambient-artists.com with the subject heading: "LOCKED ACCOUNT". One of our team members will contact Entertainment Partners IT support to further assist you.
How can I change my name on my profile?
If you would like to be addressed by a different name from the legal name on your ID, under "Key Information" on your profile, enter your preferred name into the "Stage Name" field. The stage name may need to be approved by a staff member. If your legal name is different from the name that appears on your ID, you will need to provide verification of your name change either by submitting your marriage certificate, or another form of ID with your new legal name. This may need to be reviewed and verified, as the change took place before joining the Ambient Artists Community.
I can no longer access my emails. How can I get a new password to login and change my email?
Visit https://www.ep.com/support/ to find the information to solve this issue. If you are still unable to access the email address registered with us and need a new password, email info@ambient-artists.com with the subject "NEW PASSWORD" or "NEW EMAIL". One of our team members will contact Entertainment Partners IT support to further assist you.
I am having trouble uploading photos to my profile.
If you are having trouble uploading photos to your profile, please remember that the platform only accepts JPEG and PNG formats. PDF's are not accepted.