Casting Calls, Auditions, and Entertainment Careers

Mascot and Handler – Special Event Appearance

Job Description
Casting a reliable and energetic mascot performer and handler for a special appearance at a children’s hospital event in Chicago. This opportunity is ideal for talent who enjoy interacting with families, bringing joy to young audiences, and representing a brand in a fun and professional way. The appearance involves light movement, guest engagement, and maintaining a friendly presence throughout the event.

Job Responsibilities

• Engage with guests and families in a positive, welcoming manner

• Represent the brand with professionalism and enthusiasm

• Mascot: Perform in costume and maintain high energy

• Handler: Assist mascot performer, help with crowd interaction, and ensure safety

• Arrive on time and prepared for the event duration

Requirements

• Outgoing and dependable personality

• Comfortable interacting with children and families

• Ability to perform light movement (mascot role)

• Professionalism and reliability

Compensation

• Handler: $100 flat

• Mascot: $120 flat

• 1099 payment, paid weekly

Featured Family Photo Shoot – Caucasian Son

Job Description
Casting talent for a featured still photo shoot in the Chicago area. Production is looking for individuals to portray the family of a male actor, specifically seeking a Caucasian son in his mid-20s to 30s. This is a paid opportunity for talent who can bring natural warmth, relatability, and family-friendly energy to a professional photoshoot. Talent must work as a local hire.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in a featured still photo session

• Take direction from the photographer and creative team

• Bring natural expressions and believable family energy to the shoot

• Attend a scheduled fitting prior to the shoot date

• Arrive camera-ready and prepared with wardrobe details if requested

Requirements

• Caucasian male

• Ages mid-20s to mid-30s

• Blonde, red, or brown hair

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

• Must be available for the fitting and shoot date

Compensation

• $165 for 8 hours

• Time and a half after 8 hours

• Wardrobe fitting: $40

Kids & Parents – Chicago Commercial

Job Description
A major commercial project is seeking real families for an upcoming shoot in Chicago. The production is looking for energetic kids and parents who can bring natural warmth, personality, and authenticity on camera. This project focuses on relatable family moments, capturing fun, playful, and everyday interactions. Talent should feel comfortable being filmed and able to follow simple direction.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in family-focused commercial scenes

• Follow direction for natural interactions, expressions, and movement

• Maintain a friendly, camera-ready presence on set

• Work collaboratively with production during the shoot

Requirements

• Kids ages 6–9

• Parents ages 30s–40s

• All ethnicities welcome

• Must be able to work locally in Chicago

• Comfortable being filmed and following direction

Compensation

• Rate: $3,000

Pedestrians – Background Roles

Job Description
A television production is casting background pedestrians for an outdoor lake scene. Talent will help create a natural, everyday atmosphere by walking along paths, interacting subtly with the environment, and contributing to the realism of a busy outdoor setting. Pedestrians should be comfortable repeating simple movements and maintaining consistency across multiple takes.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray natural pedestrians in an outdoor lake environment

• Walk, stand, or interact casually within the scene as directed

• Follow instructions for blocking, timing, and continuity

• Maintain an everyday, casual appearance suitable for an outdoor public area

• Work professionally with the production and background team

Requirements

• Male and female, all ethnicities

• Ages 20s–60s

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

• Comfortable performing simple walking or standing actions repeatedly

• Able to maintain continuity in wardrobe and movement

• Reliable, punctual, and able to follow direction well

Compensation

• Standard background rate provided by production

Bicyclists – Background Roles

Job Description
A television production is seeking background bicyclists to help create an active, outdoor lake scene. Talent will appear riding bikes along the path, contributing to a lively and realistic environment. Bicyclists should feel comfortable riding repeatedly for multiple takes and maintaining smooth, natural movement on camera.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a natural bicyclist in an outdoor lake setting

• Ride a bicycle safely and consistently across multiple takes

• Follow direction for pacing, positioning, and scene continuity

• Maintain an athletic, casual appearance suitable for an outdoor activity scene

• Work cooperatively with the production and background team

Requirements

• Male and female, all ethnicities

• Ages 20s–60s

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

• Comfortable riding a bicycle outdoors for repeated shots

• Able to maintain continuity in performance and wardrobe

• Reliable, punctual, and able to take direction well

Compensation

• Standard background rate provided by production

Joggers – Background Roles

Job Description
A popular television series is casting background joggers for an outdoor lake scene. Talent will help create a lively and realistic atmosphere by portraying everyday runners enjoying an outdoor path. Joggers should be comfortable performing repeated light running or jogging actions and able to maintain continuity across multiple takes.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a natural jogger in an outdoor lake environment

• Perform light jogging or running consistently across takes

• Follow direction for pacing, positioning, and scene flow

• Maintain a clean, athletic look suitable for an outdoor fitness scene

• Work professionally with the background team and production crew

Requirements

• Male and female, all ethnicities

• Ages 20s–60s

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

• Comfortable jogging outdoors and repeating actions as needed

• Able to maintain continuity in wardrobe and performance

• Reliable, punctual, and able to follow direction

Compensation

• Standard background rate provided by production

Family Photo Shoot – Featured Roles (Wife, Daughter, Son)

Job Description
A lifestyle still photo shoot is seeking Caucasian talent to portray a family for an upcoming campaign. The project will feature authentic, warm family moments alongside the lead male actor. Talent should feel comfortable on camera, take direction well, and maintain consistency throughout both the fitting and the shoot.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a family unit in a lifestyle-themed photo shoot

• Follow posing and expression guidance from the photographer

• Attend a required wardrobe fitting before the shoot date

• Maintain consistent appearance and professional behavior throughout production

Requirements

• Wife: Caucasian female, 50s–early 60s

• Daughter: Caucasian female, mid-to-late 20s

• Son: Caucasian male, early 30s

• Blonde, reddish, or brown hair preferred

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

• Comfortable with family-oriented lifestyle imagery

• Must be available for both the fitting and shoot

Compensation

• Featured rate: $165 for 8 hours, plus time-and-a-half after 8 hours

• Wardrobe fitting rate: $40 for 2 hours

Family Photo Shoot – Featured Role (Son)

Job Description
A lifestyle still photo shoot is seeking a male actor to portray the son in a family-themed campaign. This project focuses on warm, relatable family moments and natural expressions. Talent should feel comfortable on camera, take direction well, and be able to convey authenticity in still photography.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray the son in a family-style photo shoot

• Follow posing and expression guidance from the photographer

• Participate in a required wardrobe fitting prior to the shoot

• Maintain consistent appearance and professionalism throughout production

Requirements

• Caucasian male, mid-20s to late-30s

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

• Comfortable with family-oriented lifestyle imagery

• Able to attend a wardrobe fitting before the shoot

• Reliable, punctual, and able to follow direction

Compensation

• Featured rate: $165 for 8 hours, plus time-and-a-half after 8 hours

• Fitting rate: $40 for 2 hours

CFD Academy Instructors – Background Roles

Job Description
A production is seeking fit, clean-shaven males with short hair and females of all ethnicities to portray CFD Academy instructors. Talent should have an authoritative, professional presence suitable for a fire academy environment. This opportunity is open to those local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, and bordering states.

Job Responsibilities
• Appear on camera as a CFD Academy instructor
• Follow direction from the production team
• Maintain a strong, authoritative on-camera presence
• Arrive prepared and camera-ready for the full shoot day

Requirements
• Local to Chicago, suburbs, or surrounding border states
• Ages 40s–60s
• Males: clean-shaven with short hair
• Females: all ethnicities
• Must disclose the last date you worked on the production (if applicable)
• Must submit a recent color photo with full measurements and contact details

Compensation
• Paid background role (rate provided upon selection)

CFD Academy Students – Background Roles

Job Description
A production is casting clean-shaven males with short hair and females of all ethnicities to portray CFD Academy students. Talent should look like they are in training at a fire academy and be able to follow simple on-set direction. This is a great opportunity for local talent in Chicago and surrounding border states to appear in a popular production.

Job Responsibilities
• Appear on camera as a CFD Academy student
• Follow direction from the on-set team
• Maintain professionalism and continuity throughout filming
• Arrive camera-ready and prepared for the full shoot day

Requirements
• Local to Chicago, suburbs, or surrounding border states
• Males: clean-shaven with short hair
• Females: all ethnicities
• Ages: 20s–30s
• Must submit a recent color photo with full info and sizes
• Must be available for the listed shoot date

Compensation
• Paid background role (rate provided upon selection)