FAQ about using MovieExtras.ie site

About MovieExtras.ie
Photographs on the Web Site
Account Information
Database Fields
Contacts from MovieExtras.ie / Casting Directors
Personal Web-Page

1. About MovieExtras.ie

1.1 What is MovieExtras.ie?

MovieExtras.ie is an online database of Movie Extras working, or available for work in the Irish Film and Television Industries. MovieExtras.ie provides search features to casting directors on a large database of Movie Extras.

1.2 Can I register with an Agency and with MovieExtras.ie?

Yes. MovieExtras does not prohibit you from being represented by an agent in other approaches to the Casting Directors.

1.3 How do I register with MovieExtras.ie Online?

The simplest method for registering with MovieExtras.ie is to register online at our web site movieextras.ie. You can register by paying by credit card, or you can post a check, postal order or money order to us and we will send you out a voucher. The voucher can then be used to register online. Our address is

   MovieExtras.ie
   Portacabin No 2
   The Courtyard
   Ardmore Studios
   Bray
   Co Wicklow.

1.4 Can I register with MovieExtras.ie by Form?

You can register with MovieExtras.ie, using a printed application form. Note that this does not qualify for the discount rate applied to online applications. The application form can be printed out from our website.

1.5 Who will be using the service?

Prior to launching the site we spoke with the main users of extras in Ireland including: RTE, Samson Films, Tyrone Productions, Zanzibar, the Casting team who work the main movie productions in Ireland (Ella Enchanted, Chasing the Dragon etc) to establish how useful our service would be to them. They all overwhelmingly agreed that the service that we are offering is a very valuable service to the Film Industry in Ireland. Currently most of the recruitment of Extras is done on a per production basis. With our service we will be maintaining a database of individuals that the Casting Directors and Production Companies can access online and contact individuals directly.

1.6 If I join MovieExtras.ie, will I be guaranteed work?

MovieExtras.ie does not recruit people directly for roles in movies, television, adverts etc. MovieExtras.ie provides free access to a database of people interested in being an extra to over 200 Production Companies and Casting Directors who require extras. Thus, we cannot guarantee that a subscriber will get offered work.

Offers of work will depend on a number of factors. The main factor is the demand for extras. In 2001/2 there were over 20,000 days involving extras used by the Film Industry in Ireland. Some productions such as Ella Enchanted were using over 200 extras every day during the main days of filming, while others like the soap operas were using about 150 every week. The demand is unpredictable, but generally about 15 to 20 big budget movies are filmed in Ireland every year.

Other factors that will effect the number of times that you are called include your own availability, your location and your details such as height, sex etc. Naturally those with the most availability have the best chance in getting called. The other two factors - there is nothing that you can do about them!!

There is less work available for under 16's. So if you are under 16 and are thinking of joining, be aware that you might not be called up very much. Generally, productions will try and reduce the numebr of under 16's they need in a production as there are chaparone costs to be considerd as well as reduced hours of work. Take a look at most Irish productions and you will see that there is not a lot of under 16's.

1.7 Is MovieExtras.ie solely a site for the recruitment of Movie Extras?

No, the site can be accessed by organisations that recruit people for film, television, adverts, theatre or photography. Naturally if these people assess that a subscriber would be suitable for a role other than being an extra, they will contact you directly.

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2. Photographs on the Web Site

2.1 What about My Photos?

MovieExtras.ie allows you to place two photos of yourself into our online database. If you have a scanner you can simply scan two photographs and upload them. The best format is jpeg format.

Alternatively, if you do not have access to a scanner, you can post photos to us and we will scan them, free of charge. However, if you want your photos back, you will have to send an stamped, self addressed envelope to us. Send the photos to:

   Our address is
   MovieExtras.iePortacabin No 2
   The Courtyard
   Ardmore Studios
   Bray
   Co Wicklow.

Please write your own name and your MovieExtras.ie NickName or your email address on the reverse of the photos so we put them in right account.

2.2 There was an error when I tried to upload my Photo. What do I do?

MovieExtras.ie performs some processing on photos when they are uploaded. This is to ensure that photos are of uniform size (500 pixels wide), and that they do not take too much bandwidth to download. MovieExtras.ie also creates a thumbnail image from you face portrait for indexes.

Occasionally, a photograph is in a file format, or a variation of a file format which does not upload. In this case, simply email the photo to our support department support@movieextras.ie and we will format the photograph manually.

2.3 Can I be called even though I did not submit a photo?

After the directors submit search criteria to the database, they are returned a list of suitable candidates with photos where available. The directors will than choose who to contact. Naturally if there is a photograph they are more likely to contact that individual if appropriate.

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3. Account Information

3.1 I forgot my password / nickname. What do I do?

If you forget your password or nickname, connect to the MovieExtras.ie site and select the Forgot Password Click Here, below the login button. You can find your NickName if you know your email address. Your Password and NickName will be emailed to you. A new password will be generated. The passwords are stored in the MovieExtras.ie server encrypted, so we cannot read your password. Therefore, we create a new password and send that to you. After you login you can set the password to something you will remember.

3.2 I've done enough for the Movie Industry. How do I delist?

If you do not want to be listed as a Movie Extra any more you can block your record from the directors search results. Simply log-in and go to the My Account screen. Find the box called I am Available and un-check this box. Save the screen using the button at the bottom of the form.

3.3 My child is listed. How do I screen accesses to him/her?

All accesses from MovieExtras.ie will be via email or via phone. If you wish to protect your child beyond our measures, then use your email address and mobile phone for your childs contact information. Then you will always be contacted.

3.4 I am under 16. Can I be a Movie Extra?

You can be a Movie Extra. However, you cannot be a Individual member of MovieExtras.ie. Under 16s may only be enrolled as family members. Furthermore, under 16s require chaperones for most work and we recommend that they are accompanied even if a chaperone is not explicitly requested by the Casting Director. See the Extras FAQ for more details.

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4. Database Fields

4.1 I find question X offensive. Do I have to answer it?

The MovieExtras.ie online database tries to build a very personal image of you. This makes it much easier for a casting director to select someone for a particular scene. Sometimes you may prefer not to answer a personal question. If you do not want to answer a question, then please leave the answer blank, rather than lie. It is easier for us to know that you didn't answer, than to read incorrect information.

4.2 My answer is not on the list. What do I do?

The MovieExtras.ie online database provides lists of answers to questions. If your answer is not on the list, then a. pick the nearest answer and b. email support at support@movieextras.ie and we will add the new answer.

Occasionally, we will not add a new answer when the new answer increase the complexity of the solution. However, don't let that stop your feedback.

4.3 I am supplying a lot of personal information. How is it protected?

Your data is stored securely on our server. The data is protected on the internet using the secure tranmission standards. The data is only made available to Casting Directors who have been vetted by our procedures. See our Privacy Statement for more details.

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5. Contacts from MovieExtras.ie / Casting Directors

5.1 What is an availability check?

When a Casting Director is casting a scene which requires a number of extras, e.g. a pub scene, then the casting director will require a large number of extras. Before calling extras directly, the casting director will perform an availability check. The availabilty check is sent to more people than are required. The Casting Director then simply contacts those who are available, rather than all extras on the database.

The availability check is performed either by Email or SMS. To respond to the email message you have to connect to the internet and mark your availability on the database.

To respond to the SMS, you will be given a number in the message. This number is the role identifier. You need to text this role identifer back to the sender. You can type a message after the role identifier and this will appear on the directors screen.

5.2 Can I get a preferred listing?

All results from the MovieExtras.ie database are put into a random order before being presented to the directors. The MovieExtras.ie database does not have any mechanism for listing preferred candiates. This is in the interest of fairness.

5.3 When will I be called?

You will only be contacted by a Casting Director. Your contact information, i.e. phone numbers and preferred contact time are presented to the Directors. They will contact you on these numbers at their discretion. MovieExtras.ie has no control over when or how you will be contacted.

5.4 How often will I be called?

We cannot give you any guarantees about how often you will be cast, or even if you will be cast at all. The casting is done by the Casting Directors, not MovieExtras.ie. Some people will have something that is more in demand than others.

5.5 If I do not respond to email, will I receive a phone call?

The directors are given the option to contact people by email or by telephone. It is at the discretion of the directors as to what contact method is most suited to their requirements.
Bear in mind that the director may be very busy and react more favourably to applicants who make their life easier.

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6. Personal Web-Page

6.1 What is a personal Web-Page?

Your MovieExtras.ie membership allows you to set up a personal web-page, to advertise yourself. This web-page is not visible to the directors and does not influence how you will be selected. Examples can be seen here.

6.2 How is the personal web-page constructed?

The web-page is made up using information from your personal profile. It can contain up to four photos of you if you have photos loaded. It also contains the text boxes from your personal details pages which describe your personal look, skills and experience. Finally your age, name, height and contact details which you chose to expose are included.

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