Casting Calls, Auditions, and Entertainment Careers

Hospital Types (Paid Background Extras)

Job Description
A network television production is casting paid, non-speaking background extras to portray hospital types for an upcoming episode filming in the Chicago area. This opportunity is open to men and women of all ethnicities with a realistic, everyday look. Talent must be local to Chicago, the suburbs, or surrounding border states to Illinois, and must not already be visible scheduled for this special episode. If you’re reliable, camera-ready, and available to work on set, this is a great background acting job.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray hospital types in non-speaking background scenes

• Follow on-set direction, hit marks, and maintain continuity across takes

• Arrive on time, remain set-ready, and stay available for the full workday

• Provide accurate wardrobe sizes to support costume department needs

Requirements

• Male and female talent, ages 20s–70s

• Open to all ethnicities

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

• Must not be booked/scheduled for this special episode

• Must be able to provide a current color photo and complete sizing details

• If you’ve worked on the series before, be able to share when you last worked

Compensation

• Paid non-speaking background role (rate shared upon selection)

Firefighter Extras and Work Marshals

Job Description
A network television production is casting background talent for firefighter-related scenes in the Chicago suburbs. The production is looking for clean-cut, professional-looking extras to portray firefighters and work marshals. This is a great opportunity for dependable talent who can follow direction, move efficiently on set, and handle light physical action, including carrying weighted “dummy body” props down a flight of stairs.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray firefighters or work marshals in background scenes

• Follow on-set direction and maintain continuity across takes

• Perform light physical action, including carrying weighted prop dummies as directed

• Arrive prepared, on time, and ready for wardrobe fitting and filming

Requirements

• Open to all ethnicities, ages 20–60

• Male talent: clean-shaven with short hair

• Female talent: no long fingernails and no fake eyelashes

• Must be able to carry weighted “dummy body” props safely

• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, and nearby bordering states (Illinois-area locals only)

• Available for both wardrobe fitting and filming days as scheduled

Compensation

• Paid background role (rate shared upon selection)

Cast Needed for MFA Short Film “Caller 147”

Job Description
An MFA short film is casting lead and supporting roles for a character-driven story about a lonely matchmaker radio host who receives a mysterious call live on air—forcing her to confront truth, connection, and what lies beyond what she understands. Filming is planned in Chicago, and this project is a great opportunity for emerging actors who want to build credits and collaborate on a creative short film set.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform scripted scenes for an MFA short film production

• Collaborate with the director and production team during rehearsals and filming

• Bring strong character choices and emotional truth to dialogue-driven moments

• Maintain professionalism, focus, and continuity on set

Requirements

• Roles available:

  • Stevie (Lead): African American female, ages 21–27 (comedic background preferred)

  • Chelsea (Supporting): Female, any race, ages 21–27; organized, practical, still dating her high school sweetheart

  • Val (Supporting): Female, any race, ages 21–27; flirtatious, trendy, superstitious, boy-crazy

  • Extras: Any gender, any race, ages 19–25

• Must be able to work in Chicago as a local hire

• Reel or a short monologue clip recommended for consideration

Compensation

• Unpaid roles

CASTING CALL — The Chi, Season 8
CASTING BY: 4 Star Casting
PROJECT: The Chi — Season 8 (Showtime)
ROLES: Neighborhood Kids
SHOOT DATES: 01/14/26 through 01/14/26
AVAILABILITY: Must be available for a full day shoot on Wednesday, 01/14/26
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
RATE: $175/8
⸻
SEEKING TALENT WHO MATCH THE FOLLOWING SPECS:

NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS
• Height: Any
• Weight: Any
• Gender: Male
• Age: 12–16
• Ethnicity: Black or Ethnically Ambiguous
• Minors ages 15 and under must have a current work permit

Stand-in experience required, if applicable.
⸻
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This opportunity is cast by 4 Star Casting.
It is completely FREE to apply.

Suburban Train Goers for Feature Film “Big Time”

Job Description
A feature film is casting background actors to portray suburban Metra train riders for a scene filming in the Chicago suburbs. Production is looking for talent who can bring natural commuter energy and feel authentic in a real transit environment. Filming will take place on the Metra, so comfort working in a public-style setting is important.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Metra commuters in background scenes on a suburban train

• Follow direction from the assistant directors and set team

• Maintain continuity with movement, seating, and reactions between takes

• Stay professional, punctual, and camera-ready during the shoot

Requirements

• Men and women, all ethnicities

• Screen age 30–60

• Must be able to work as a local hire in the Chicago suburbs

• Comfortable filming on a train and in a commuter setting

• Suburban look encouraged

Compensation

• $132.80 for 8 hours

Job Description
A music video production is casting 1 female performer to appear in a paid music video with a popular recording artist. This on-camera role is for someone who is confident, camera-ready, and able to bring strong presence and style to a high-energy video shoot.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on camera in a professional music video production

• Follow direction from the director and production team during filming

• Bring confident on-screen presence, movement, and performance energy

Requirements

• Female talent needed

• Must be available for an in-person shoot in Chicago, Illinois

• Comfortable performing on camera in a music video environment

• Professional, punctual, and able to take direction well

Compensation

• Paid opportunity (rate and details provided upon selection)

Non-Speaking Families & Couples for Airline Cabin Production

Job Description
A non-union airline cabin production is seeking experienced actors with authentic, real-life relationships for a filmed project. Casting is looking for two families (one parent with two children) and additional real couples, friends, or partners who can bring natural chemistry to non-speaking scenes set inside an airplane cabin. This is a paid opportunity for Chicago-based talent who can work locally without travel or accommodations provided.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform in non-speaking airline cabin scenes with natural, believable reactions

• Work comfortably in a tight, airplane-style set environment

• Follow direction from the director and production team during filming

• Maintain continuity and realistic relationship dynamics across multiple takes

Requirements

• Must be based in Chicago, IL (local hire only; no travel/accommodations provided)

• Experienced actors with authentic relationships encouraged to apply

• Families needed: 1 parent with 2 children (kids ages 5–7)

• Additional talent: real romantic couples, friends, or partners

• Must be comfortable performing non-speaking roles on camera

Compensation

• Paid non-union project (rate provided upon selection)

Job Title: Stand-In — Neil Fak

CASTING CALL — The Bear, Season 5
CASTING BY: 4 Star Casting
PROJECT: The Bear — Season 5
ROLES: Stand-In — Neil Fak
SHOOT DATES: Fri. 1/9 through Fri. 1/9
AVAILABILITY: Must have open availability for the rest of the season
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
RATE: $180/8

⸻
SEEKING TALENT WHO MATCH THE FOLLOWING SPECS:

STAND-IN — NEIL FAK
• Height: 5’6″
• T-Shirt: XXL or 3XL

Stand-in experience required, if applicable.
⸻
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This opportunity is cast by 4 Star Casting.
It is completely FREE to apply.

Latina Stand-In (TV Production)

Job Description
A TV production is seeking a Latina stand-in to match a principal actor for lighting and camera blocking. This paid stand-in opportunity is ideal for talent who can closely match the performer’s height, weight, complexion, and overall look, and who can work professionally on a fast-paced set.

Job Responsibilities

• Stand in for a principal actor during lighting setups and camera rehearsals

• Match the actor’s general look for scene continuity (height, weight, complexion)

• Follow direction from the crew and remain ready between setups

• Maintain consistency with wardrobe and positioning across takes

Requirements

• Latina

• Height: 5’3″–5’5″

• Weight: 115–145

• Dark hair

• Must be able to closely match the actor’s look for lighting and camera work

• Stand-in experience is a plus (but not required)

Compensation

• Paid stand-in role (rate shared if selected)

Real Firefighters (Paid TV Extra Roles)

Job Description
A TV production is seeking real firefighters to appear on camera in authentic emergency-response scenes for a special episode. This is a paid, non-speaking background opportunity for firefighters who can bring real-world presence, uniform accuracy, and professional realism to set. Availability across multiple shoot days is a plus, and early call times are possible.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on camera as a real firefighter in emergency and station-style scenes

• Wear your real firefighter uniform/gear as appropriate for the scene

• Follow on-set direction and maintain continuity across multiple takes

• Be punctual, professional, and camera-ready for long production days

Requirements

• Must be a real firefighter

• Open to men and women; all ethnicities encouraged to apply

• Able to work as a local hire in the Chicago area/Western Suburbs

• Comfortable performing as non-speaking background talent

• Must have a recent color photo in uniform (no sunglasses, no group photos)

Compensation

• $200 for 8 hours

• Time-and-a-half after 8 hours

• $25 special ability bump