Frequently Asked Questions
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Use the search box below or feel free to browse through all our FAQs by clicking on the headers.
Sometimes a casting director or client will ask for self-tapes in lieu of or before a casting session in person. It is very important to follow the instructions or they may not consider you. Typically, you will be asked to record the video in LANDSCAPE mode (not portrait) and with a clean background (preferable white or pale). There will also be instructions on how to send the video - usually we ask that you upload it to Vimeo or YouTube
Wear clothes that you are comfortable with. Generally smart casual is sufficient. Avoid white or striped clothing as our photos are taken against a white background.
As part of your membership, you may attend one photoshoot to get professional photos taken. You can register and pay for membership at the photoshoot.
You can find out when the next photoshoot is by clicking the link below www.movieextras.ie/photoshoot/@@booking.html
The client may still be making a selection. You are not booked until you receive a confirmation text. Unfortunately we cannot text everyone who is unsuccessful, so unless you receive a message to say you are confirmed, you are not booked
You will initially receive an availability check and if you respond YES then you will be put forward for the role. This is NOT a confirmation. Once the client has selected you, we will then send you a confirmation text. Unfortunately we cannot text everyone who is unsuccessful, so unless you receive a message to say you are confirmed, you are not booked
If your headshots are of the same quality and meet the requirements then you do not need to take photos at our Casting Day but we highly recommend it
There is lots of work for children and babies, and we ensure that they are taken care of in line with legal regulations set by NERA*?
It will depend on the location of the shoot and the call time. Some productions will lay on a bus or will organise transport from different areas. Check with the casting agent before accepting a job.
There is some work outside Dublin, many productions need to shoot in locations outside of Dublin and we are often asked to provide extras in counties all across the country.
Having a professional photo will greatly increase your chances - please ensure you come to the Casting Day once a month to get your photos done. They are included in the membership fee.
The majority of roles we cast are for extras work, but we are frequently asked for actors for television programmes, films and commercials - to increase your chances please ensure that you include all your credits and training on your profile and upload a showreel or clips of your acting work.
"If you are booked by MovieExtra.ie, generally MovieExtras.ie will pay you. If you are booked by another production (such as Byzantium etc), the production company will pay you directly.
If you are contacted by one of the many companies using our directory, make sure to ask at the time of booking about payment details and who will pay you."
Yes, 99% of opportunities are paid with time on set paying anything from €50 to €150 per day and if you get an advert, it can be up to and over €3,000. The best part is that absolute NO EXPERIENCE is needed as training will be provided! There is also an opt in option for pro-bono work such as student productions, it's completely optional but can be very rewarding and a genuinely great experience - you never know where that student director could end up!
A typical shoot day is approximately 10 hours, but some jobs may be as little as one or two hours, and some days the shoot may run over. You must be available for the full day when booked.
While there is occasional weekend or evening work, the majority of jobs are during the week.
Yes, we guarantee to offer you work and if we haven't after 12 months, we'll refund your payment. This only applies to members who are 18 and over. You must meet the criteria outlined in the T&C's which includes notifying us within three months of joining. Click here for the T&C's.
Work tends to be casual, a day here and a day there - the more flexible you are, the more opportunities you will be able to take up.
The yearly payment includes a professional photoshoot and certified training. The cost for a standard 1 year Adult membership is €89.95 and a standard 1 Year under 18 membership is €59.95.
No, but parental consent is required for under 18's.
No experience is necessary as training is provided. We provide certified online training so you don't need any prior experience in Film & TV - we think everyone should experience life on set!
Generally it is standing or sitting around in the background. You will be directed by the Assistant Director or other staff from the film in relation to where you should go and what you should do during the day. While the days may be long, it is an among experience to see what happens behind the scenes.
MovieExtras.ie is an online directory of artists for the Film & TV Industry. It works in two ways: 1) Casting Service - Production Companies send us a brief and we contact you directly to book you for a job. 2) Casting Access - Over 800 Production Companies & Casting Directors access the directory so they can recruit Extras, Models, Actors & Presenters directly
No, there is no experience needed.
Yes, we need people of all ages, looks and sizes. We provide certified online training so you don't need any prior experience in Film & TV - we think everyone should experience life on set!
MovieExtras.ie are Ireland's leading agency based in the heart of the Irish Film industry with offices in Ardmore Studios, Wicklow & Troy Studios, Limerick. We have been around since 2002 and have serviced 1,000's or productions, corporate events and ads.
If the above information has not answered your query, please email Accounts@MovieExtras.ie
To claim tax and USC back and to avoid further emergency tax you will need to ask your tax office to send us both Tax and USC credits or exemptions for you. They can send them to Crew, Cast & Performers Ltd, T/A MovieExtras.ie, Employers Reg. no is 3280809AH. Once we receive these details any overpayment of tax and USC will be refunded in your next payment from us.
We operate tax on the emergency tax system so a member with a PPS number is not charged tax on work weeks 1-4 on earnings up to €160; Tax is charged at 20% on week’s 5-8 on all earnings and is charged at 40% on all earnings from week 9 onwards.
You are payed through the PAYE system, so you will be taxed according to your personal situation.
You will receive an email 10 days before to notify you, if you want to cancel, remove your card details from your profile or email Accounts@MovieExtras.ie
Email Accounts@MovieExtras.ie
If your P45 is not available on your profile, email Accounts@MovieExtras.ie and one will be issued for you. For 2019, all documentation must be accessed via your ROS.ie MyAccount profile
Log in to your MovieExtras.ie profile and click on the 'Payroll' tab.
If you are receiving Maternity Leave from Social Welfare, working for a day may interfere with your weekly payment. Feel free to check with the relevant authority if you are offered work.
Please post them to our office with a stamped, addressed envelope and we will return them to you in the post
If you require a form to be filled in by MovieExtras.ie, please post it to MovieExtras.ie, Ardmore Studios, Bray, Co Wicklow. Include a stamped self addressed envelope, otherwise we will NOT be able to process your form.
Yes, but you MUST declare all work dates with your local Social Welfare office. We will fill out any necessary documentation.
Payroll is usually run 3-4 weeks after a shoot date. For buyouts for Adverts it can take up to 3 months for payment to be released the fee is usually determined by the level of exposure in the final edit
It depends on the job, check with your casting agent when you are being booked.
Generally for Extra work, the daily rate is between €80 to €150 depending on hours and role. For Adverts, it is generally €100 to €400, though we have many members who have received in excess of €1,000 for a days work on an advert.
Agreed Expenses: Fitting fees, travel and use of car on set - all expenses including these, are taxable. If you have a record of the expense, you may be entitled to claim this tax back from Revenue. Please contact your local Revenue office for further details.
If you work on an advert, payment is for your attendance for the shoot at €9.15 per hour plus holiday pay @ 8% and bank holiday pay. Also, there will be a license fee payment for your image.
Email Support@MovieExtras.ie and use your MovieExtras.ie member ID as a reference. Though this will result in being not offered any further work.
Email Support@MovieExtras.ie and use your MovieExtras.ie member ID as a reference. Though this will result in being not offered any further work.
You can log in to your MovieExtras.ie profile and click the 'Availability Checks' tab. You can access and modify availability checks that are still open.
Email Support@MovieExtras.ie and use your MovieExtras.ie member ID as a reference.
Photos are normally uploaded 3 weeks after the photoshoot.
NO as this may affect your tax credits and payroll records. If you have registered your employment with Revenue, it is linked to your Member ID.
You can login to your MovieExtras.ie profile and click the 'Renew' tab. Enter your card information and submit.
Firstly check your account, if your photos are older than 12 months or are of poor quality, you will not receive checks. Secondly, it maybe because you are not suitable for the roles we are casting. Thirdly, your profile may be incomplete. If none of these are appropriate, email Support@MovieExtras.ie and we will look into it further.
First you will receive a text and email to check your availability for the production dates. This simply means you suit the requirements, it does not mean you got the job.
You will let us know if you are free by sending back a YES and if you are unavailable, you send us back a NO
If you say 'YES' but do not hear back, then you were not successful on this occasion
We recommend that members update their photos at least once every 12 months. |
Log in and click the 'My Profile' tab. Navigate to "Section 8: Photographs" and click on the upload photograph button.
We recommend that members update their photos at least once every 12 months.
Log in and click the 'My Profile' tab. Navigate to "Section 8: Photographs" and click on the upload photograph button.
If you need to leave the shoot immediately, speak to the on set contact and explain why.
NO, once the camera is rolling do NOT talk or whisper. if you are in a scene which it looks as if naturally you would be talking (for example sitting at a table in a restaurant), you should mime. You should organise this with the other person before the camera starts rolling.
It is advisable not to bring valuables with you, though generally there will be somewhere secure to leave personal belongings.
This will depend on the film. Check with your Casting Agent when you are being booked.
This will depend on the start time and the production schedule. Though most days would be over by 6PM, BUT there have been many times shoots run over until 11PM or even later. So always make sure that you have no other engagements on the day of the shoot, if the shoot runs late, you will be required to stay until it wraps.
Generally, you should come to set with no make up on and your hair should be washed with no product added. If the set requires you to have make up applied, the set Make Up Artists will apply make to you. Though, on smaller sets, you may be required to bring and apply.
This would depend on the film. If you require a special costume, there is generally a costume fitting prior to the filming day.
Generally, there are no travel expenses.
Generally no, as the only people insured to be on set are those who are employed by the productions. Kids should be dropped off at the location at their call time. There are Professional Garda Vetted Chaperones on-site who will be there to meet you. You will be notified when you need to collect them.
Most production sets will provide meals on set. If you have any dietary requirements, please advise this to your contact on set. Generally, and RTE production will not provide meals to you, but there is a canteen in the RTE Studios which you will be able to use.
You cannot approach the actors on set. If an actor approaches you, please be professional and polite at all times.
All sets have a strict NO photos rule - breaking this rule may result in you being removed from the set and in some cases may lead to a legal action taken against you for breach of confidentiality.
All mobile phones must be switched off when you are on set.
The Casting Agent who books you will advise of who to ask for when you go on set.
You will be informed beforehand if a change of clothes is required, but generally most productions will use you in several scenes, so changes of clothing is required. If you are called for Fair City, you will need to bring at least 4 full changes of clothes with you.
Generally car-parking facilities are made available, BUT this is not always the case. Check with the Casting Agent at the time of booking.
This will depend on where the film is being shot. Generally, if the productions is not central, the production company will organise transport from central points to the location. BUT in all cases check with the Casting Agent before taking a job.
Don't worry, as long as you have completed the online training course you will be taken into consideration for jobs.
Check to make sure you have finished the 'Completion Quiz' which can be found at the very end of the training course. This will test your knowledge of the key points covered in the course. Once this test has been passed, a certificate will be issued. If you already completed the training quiz and are still receiving this email, please contact Support@MovieExtras.ie and we will investigate the cause
Please check that your internet connection is working correctly. If you are using a mobile device you may experience issues trying to complete the course. Switch to a PC and see if the problem persists. If you are still experiencing technical issues, please email a detailed report of your issue to Support@MovieExtras.ie and we will investigate with our IT Support team.
The online training course is located on a separate website, the URL is https://training.movieextras.ie. It cannot be accessed via www.MovieExtras.ie.
Your login details for your MovieExtras.ie profile will not work for the training course. You will be given a unique password once your training account is registered, and you will be able to log in using your email address and this unique password. You can change this password after you log in if you wish.
This process usually takes at least 5 working days. If more than 5 working days have passed and you haven't received login details, please email Support@MovieExtras.ie for assistance.
Yes, but easiest way to engage with the course is via PC, Laptop or tablet.
Non EEA members are requested to bring documentation to show their Right to Work in Ireland. More information available here .
YES, your legal guardian or parent must attend and has to bring along government issued photo ID (passport, Drivers License etc).
Yes, it is very important that you bring your passport with you. For minors (under 16) please bring your birth cert or password.
The photo will be in colour with the background being white, thus you should wear should wear solid colours. Do not wear stripes. Avoid white, as the background is white. If you have long dark hair, avoid black or dark colours. You should aim to look how you normally look. Most importantly try and relax, smile and try to be natural!
You will be greeted by a member of MovieExtras.ie who will ask for your name. You will be given an application form which you need to fill out. Information required is very basic information such as address, height, availability etc.
Once you have filled in all your details, you need to register at the desk. If you have prepaid, than there is no need to pay, otherwise you can pay by cash / credit card / laser or cheque.
Our Photographer will take a number of pictures of you with the objective of getting a clear head and shoulders picture and a clear full body length picture (2 pictures).
Can't find an answer to your question?
Reach out to us via email; support@movieextras.ie