Chicago Casting Calls & Acting Auditions

Pedestrians and Drivers Background Casting Call

Job Description
A television production is casting background actors to portray pedestrians and pedestrians with cars in realistic street scenes. These are non-speaking extra roles ideal for talent looking to gain on-set experience in a professional production environment. The production is seeking a wide range of everyday looks to create authentic city atmosphere.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on camera as a pedestrian or pedestrian with a vehicle

• Follow direction from assistant directors and production staff

• Maintain continuity in movement, wardrobe, and positioning

• Remain professional and attentive while on set

Requirements

• Male and female talent

• Ages 20s to 50s

• All ethnicities encouraged to apply

• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or bordering states to Illinois

• Comfortable performing non-speaking background roles

• For roles with cars: must own a personal vehicle and be comfortable using it on camera

Compensation

• Paid background acting role

• Non-union opportunity

• Professional television set experience

Feature Film Location Casting Call: Residential Homes

Job Description
A feature film is seeking residential homes to be used as filming locations for an upcoming production. This is a paid, non-union opportunity for homeowners in the Chicago northwest suburbs whose properties match specific story-driven needs. Selected homes will be featured on camera for multiple filming days.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide interior and exterior access to the home for filming

• Allow the production team to dress and film the location as needed

• Coordinate availability with the production schedule

• Maintain clear communication with the location department

Requirements

• Homes located in the Chicago northwest or north suburbs

• Preference for areas near Schiller Park and northwest of Rosemont

• Availability for 2–3 days of filming

• Two types of homes needed:

  • A classic, well-kept but dated single-family home with a semi-finished basement

  • A middle to upper-middle-class suburban family home built approximately 10–25 years ago, preferably with an attached garage

Compensation

• $1,750 per day

• Paid non-union location rental

• Professional feature film production

Cocktail Bar Scene Background Casting Call

Job Description
A television production is casting background actors to portray stylish patrons in a fun, upscale cocktail bar scene. This opportunity is perfect for talent in their 20s and 30s with a polished, fashionable look who can bring energy and authenticity to a lively nightlife setting. The scene will feature a large group to create a vibrant downtown atmosphere.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on camera as a cocktail bar guest in a social scene

• Portray natural interactions in a trendy nightlife environment

• Follow direction from the production and assistant directing team

• Maintain continuity in wardrobe, hair, makeup, and movement

• Remain professional, punctual, and camera-ready on set

Requirements

• Male and female talent

• Ages 20s–30s

• All ethnicities encouraged to apply

• Stylish, attractive, and camera-ready appearance

• Comfortable wearing upscale cocktail bar attire

• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or bordering states

• Men should have measurements available (height, weight, suit jacket, neck, sleeve, waist, inseam, shoe)

• Women should have measurements available (height, weight, dress, pants, T-shirt, shoe)

Compensation

• Paid background acting role

• Non-union opportunity

• Professional television set experience

Uniformed Firefighters, Police Officers, FBI Agents, and Officials – Background Actors

Job Description
A scripted television series is casting background actors to portray uniformed firefighters, police officers, FBI agents, and other uniformed officials for a large-scale gathering scene. These roles are essential in creating realistic emergency and law-enforcement visuals and require a clean, professional, regulation-ready appearance. This opportunity is open to Chicago-area locals who can commit to both wardrobe fitting and filming.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a uniformed firefighter, police officer, FBI agent, or official in a crowd scene

• Follow on-set direction, blocking, and continuity requirements

• Maintain a professional, authoritative, and camera-ready presence

• Participate in wardrobe fitting prior to filming

Requirements

• Men and women, ages 18 and up

• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or bordering states to Illinois

• Men must be clean-shaven with short hair

• Women must have natural nails and no false eyelashes

• Must be available for both wardrobe fitting and filming

• Comfortable wearing uniforms and following standard appearance regulations

Compensation

• Paid background acting role

• Rate provided upon selection

Real Police Officers – Background Actors

Job Description
A television series is casting real police officers to appear in authentic law enforcement scenes. This background opportunity is designed for active or former officers who can bring real-world experience, credibility, and professionalism to on-screen police roles.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a real police officer in scripted television scenes

• Wear official uniform and maintain accurate law enforcement presence

• Follow on-set direction while performing standard police actions

• Maintain professionalism and continuity throughout filming

Requirements

• Real police officers (active or former)

• Men and women, ages 20–60

• All ethnicities encouraged to apply

• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or nearby border states to Illinois

• Comfortable appearing on camera in uniform

Compensation

• $200 for up to 8 hours

• Time and a half after 8 hours

• $25 special ability bump

Real Police Officers for Television Production

Job Description
A television production is now casting real police officers for an upcoming shoot in the Chicago area. This opportunity is seeking active or former law enforcement professionals to bring authenticity and realism to on-camera scenes. Filming will take place locally, and talent must be comfortable working on set in uniform for a full shoot day.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on camera portraying a real police officer

• Wear official police uniform during filming

• Follow direction from the production team

• Maintain professional conduct and on-set readiness

Requirements

• Must be a real police officer (active or former)

• Ages 20–60

• All ethnicities and genders encouraged to apply

• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or nearby border states

• Able to provide a recent color photo in uniform

Compensation

• $200 for up to 8 hours of work

• Time-and-a-half pay after 8 hours

• $25 special ability bump

• Paid, non-union opportunity

Child Photo Double Role for TV Series

Job Description
A television production is seeking a young girl to work as a photo double for an upcoming shoot. This role involves standing in for a principal child actor for camera setup, lighting, and selected shots. No prior on-set experience is required, making this a great opportunity for first-time child performers.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a photo double for a child actor during filming

• Match the lead actor’s physical appearance for camera and lighting

• Follow simple on-set direction with a parent or guardian present

• Remain patient and professional during production

Requirements

• Caucasian girls

• Height between 4’4″–4’6″

• Slim to medium build

• Brown hair or dark blonde hair

• Must be able to closely match the principal actor’s look

• Must obtain a valid child work permit

• Parent or guardian must be available and reachable

Compensation

• $170 for up to 6 hours

• Time-and-a-half after 6 hours

• Paid photo double role

TV Series Background Actor Roles

Job Description
A hit television drama is seeking background actors to portray uniformed professionals, including FBI and law enforcement types, in upcoming scenes. This opportunity is ideal for performers who can bring a polished, professional look and natural on-camera presence to a fast-paced TV production. Talent must be well-groomed and camera-ready.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on set as uniformed personnel in scripted TV scenes

• Follow direction from assistant directors and production staff

• Maintain continuity, professionalism, and focus during filming

• Work collaboratively with cast and crew

Requirements

• Adults ages 20s–60s

• Open to all ethnicities

• Clean-shaven men with short hair

• No long painted fingernails or false eyelashes

• Must have a professional, uniform-ready appearance

• Ability to work as background talent on a television set

Compensation

• Paid background acting role

• Rates provided upon booking

Baby Commercial Event Role

Job Description
A non-union live commercial event is seeking adorable babies for a featured on-camera role in a body care brand showcase. This opportunity is perfect for parents looking to have their baby participate in a fun, professionally produced event highlighting a new diaper product. Babies will be featured in a live setting that demonstrates comfort, protection, and real-life use, with parents actively involved throughout the experience.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on camera during a live commercial-style event

• Sit upright independently (pillow support allowed)

• Participate in a supervised, baby-friendly environment

• Be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times

Requirements

• Babies ages 4–12 months

• Able to sit up on their own and not yet walking

• Parent or guardian must be available to participate

• Comfortable in a live event setting with cameras present

Compensation

• $750 total for baby and parent/guardian

• Covers participation and usage of recorded footage

• Additional compensation if usage extends beyond initial term

Senior Background Actors for Television Series

Job Description
A television production is casting senior background actors to appear in upcoming scenes filmed in the western suburbs of Chicago. This opportunity is open to older performers who can help bring authenticity and realism to scripted television scenes. Filming will include wardrobe fittings prior to the shoot.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray senior characters in scripted television scenes

• Follow on-set direction for background action and continuity

• Participate in a scheduled wardrobe fitting

• Maintain professionalism throughout filming

Requirements

• Seniors in their late 70s to 80s

• Open to all ethnicities

• Must be local to Chicago, nearby suburbs, or surrounding border states

• Available for filming and a wardrobe fitting during the same week

• Reliable and able to follow instructions

Compensation

• Paid background acting role

• Wardrobe fitting provided

• Professional television set experience