Q1. How long have you been in the industry?

Agency owner Nolan has been in the entertainment business since 2000 both as an Agent and Performer. Throughout those years, strong relationships with Production representatives and others in the industry have been built. Nolan is excited to represent the next generation of professional Performers from within the #FCTribe.

Q2. What is the process of registration and how much does it cost to register?

Please take some time to explore the website to help answer any questions you may have. When you're ready, please use the contact form on the Join Us page to reach us. FC Talent has a unique Membership-based tier system for AABP/Non-Union Performers and the cost varies based on your chosen Membership Tier, with yearly renweal. For ACTRA Full & Apprentice members, FCTribe Membership is optional.

Q3. How much money do background performers make?

ACTRA (The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) Union rates and AABP/non-union rates are reflected in the Independent Production Agreement and can also be found in the FC DIVISIONS section. Both Union and AABP/non-union rates include an 8 hour minimum. These rates are reflective of an ACTRA-signatory production. Non-ACTRA signatory productions (of which ACTRA members do not work) pay at different rates.

Q4. I've become a Member, when can I expect work?

As this industry does not follow the usual 9-5 Mon-Fri template, work guarantees are virtually impossible to make. With that said, when there is work and you are contacted please read the information sent to you pertaining to the specifics of what we're looking for, be sure to reply in a timely manner and include all requested information.

Q5. How much advance notice will I receive for work?

This varies depending on the specificity of the booking, the amount of background required, director's approval if picture casting and other factors. We will endeavor to provide as much lead time as possible prior to a booking, although it might be as close as the day/night before.

Q6. What are some commonly used terms in the entertainment industry?

This business has many abbreviations, acronyms and industry terms. A list can be found HERE. If there are any terms missing, let us know!

Q1. Before I am booked, what do I need to have ready?

All Performers looking to work with FC Talent are required to register with the Agency. Once registered, all FC Talent Performers require both digital and paper copies of both the Ontario Workers Health & Safety and Ontario Proof of Residency documents readily available prior to accepting any work. Proof of Residency documents can include a provincial driver's license and one or more of the following documents:

• a Notice of Assessment;
• a mortgage, rental or lease agreement with rent receipts;
• utility bills;
• a property tax notice;
• a Motor Vehicle Registration;

Q2. I have been asked about my availability. I am available. Does this mean I'm working?

As part of the booking process, FC Talent is required to make inquiries into a Performer's availability for that specific project. Once FC Talent has acquired availability of all suitable Performers, names of those Performers are sent to Production. Production then informs FC Talent of who they wish to move forward with and book for wardrobe fittings and/or work date(s). Only when you are sent a booking confirmation email are you considered booked.

Q3. Before I commit to a booking, how long will they need me for that day?

The length of a day is never known, you would need to be available the entire day or night. FC Talent will forward any available information pertaining to the booking in advance (interior/exterior, day/night shoot, travel outside the GTA, shuttles provided to get you to a location, etc) to assist you. Upon accepting a booking, you agree to maintain 100% availability throughout the duration of the work day.

Q1. I am booked tomorrow and am waiting for info on where I go, when, etc? It's getting late!

FC Talent usually receives booking information from Production the evening before the day of work. Once we receive that information, we send it out to you immediately via email. Only when the Production is done filming for the day is that information provided, so please be patient! If the Production is filming into the early morning hours, FC Talent will inform you that the email will be sent in the morning, with additional instructions. Should you not receive an update on when you'll receive the info, email us, we'd be happy to clairify.

Q2. What do I do once I have received the booking information email?

Firstly, please read the email, re-read it and reply to it with CONFIRMED. By confirming the email, you let FC Talent know that you have received the information and understand it in it's entirety. If there are any questions pertaining to the booking information that is not answered on the website, please contact us immediately.

Q3. What are some tips to help me succeed with a booking?

• Punctuality. Being 15 minutes early to a booking is Agency Standard. Casting representatives and/or Assistant Directors take note of those who are consistently early or late so please be aware of this.
• Bringing all the required wardrobe to the booking. Those who are tasked with ensuring you look the part will thank you for this!
• Following directions and being attentive while on set. Once processed through wardrobe, hair and makeup, there may be a lot of down time from then until the actual time the AD's require you on set. Please ensure that once they do require you on set you're ready to go and ready to follow their directions. If you ever have questions, ask them for clarification.
• Ensure the Performer Code is adhered to.

Q4. What do I do when I've arrived to the studio/location?

Once you've arrived, make your way to Background Holding, most commonly identified with a flourescent sandwich board sign directing you to this area. Once there, a representative from Production should be in the area, signing in Performers and handing out paperwork for your day. Your day has started!

Q1. When do I get paid?

The Performer typically receives checks from Production approximately 14 business days from their work date. Please note that FC Talent does not issue any checks to the Performer, nor do we deduct commission from the check. The Performer is required to pay any commissions and fees to the Agency directly.

Q2. How much commission do I owe?

Commission rates for Performers working in the GENERAL BG DIVISION can be seen on the DIVISION RATES page. For those Performers who are Members and/or pre-approved for other programs, appropriate commission rates will be reflected on your invoice. Commission amount is calculated from gross amounts. Calculations are subject to HST and include but are not limited to: fittings, additional wardrobe, travel time, mileage, vehicles used on set, pets, instruments, COVID tests.

Q3. How do I pay commission?

• ALL PERFORMERS:
  • Upon receving your check, please scan or clearly photograph your TRS (time report summary)/check stub along with your voucher and send via email.
  • Once we receive your paperwork, we will invoice you.
  • Online payments can be made via Credit Card, Apple Pay, Interac E-Transfer, and Cryptocurrency payment. We do not accept cash/checks.

Please do not send payment until you are invoiced.

Note: It is imperative that all paperwork is sent, clear and legible. Failure to send legible paperwork may result in delayed invoice processing and as a result, late commission fees.

Q1. Does your Agency have fees?

FC Talent has a fee structure in place to ensure Performers adhere to our policies and maintain professionalism at all times. We aren't in business to profit off Performers who are not succeeding. We are focused on succeeding when you succeed and representing you as best as possible. To do so effectively, Performers must uphold the standards set out by FC Talent to maintain a professional reputation and by extension, the professional reputation of the Agency. This is a very important step to achieving success.

Q2. What are your Agency fees?

• ACTRA MEMBERS

  • An ACTRA member must always be on time, if not early. In the event of a late arrival to set, a $30 fee will apply.

  • ALL FC Talent Performers (ACTRA / AABP / non-union) may cancel 24 hrs or more from the scheduled shoot date. In the event a performer cancels less than 24h from the scheduled shoot date OR is a No-Show, a $30 fee will apply. This also applies to missed COVID tests.

  • ACTRA members are required to send their Time Report Summary/check stub along with voucher to the Agency for invoicing no later than 30 days from the work date, to avoid a $30 late payment fee (charged monthly). Illegible or missing paperwork will be subject to an admin fee of $30. Please ensure that scans/photographs of all required paperwork are clear.

  • ACTRA members are required to pay their invoice within 72 hrs from the time they are invoiced. A $30 fee will be applied to payment received beyond the 72h window.
  • ACTRA members who are wrapped early due to a problem on set: $100 fee and may be subject to Union action.

  ---

• AABP / NON-UNION / PERMITTEE PERFORMERS

  • Punctuality is critical to success in this business. Production does take notice and will relay this information back to the Agency. Please help us help you succeed and maintain a 15-minute early policy when arriving to set. In the event of a late arrival to set, a $30 fee will apply.

  • ALL FC Talent Performers (ACTRA / AABP / non-union) may cancel 24 hrs or more from the scheduled shoot date. In the event a performer cancels less than 24h from the scheduled shoot date OR is a No-Show, a $30 fee will apply. This also applies to missed COVID tests.

  • AABP/Non-Union members are required to send their Time Report Summary/check stub along with voucher to the Agency for invoicing no later than 30 days from the work date, to avoid a $30 late payment fee (charged monthly). Illegible or missing paperwork will be subject to an admin fee of $30. Please ensure that scans/photographs of all required paperwork are clear.

  • AABP/Non-Union members are required to pay their invoice within 72 hrs from the time they are invoiced. A $30 fee will be applied to payment received beyond the 72h window.

  • AABP/Non-Union members who are wrapped early due to a problem on set: $100 fee and subject to Membership revocation.

  • AABP / Non-Union / permittee Performers who are wrapped early due to a problem on set: $100 fee.

  • AABP / Non-Union / permittee Performers who do not show up to set: Deletion from roster.