Casting Calls, Auditions, and Entertainment Careers

Military Veterans – TV Background Actors

Job Description

A television production is seeking men and women with real military experience for non-speaking background roles. Selected participants will bring their training, discipline, and experience to scenes requiring an authentic military or law enforcement presence.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform as a background actor in television production scenes
• Use military experience to bring authenticity to assigned roles
• Follow blocking, movement, and performance instructions from the production team
• Work professionally with cast, crew, and other background talent
• Be prepared for afternoon call times and overnight filming

Requirements

• Men and women with real military experience
• Must be comfortable with non-speaking background work
• Men must have short hair and be clean-shaven
• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or nearby Illinois border states
• Must be available for one or more required overnight shoots
• Ability to follow production and safety instructions

Compensation

• $206 for 8 hours
• Time-and-a-half after 8 hours
• Additional $25 special ability bump

Real CPD Officers – TV Background Actors

Job Description

A television series is casting real CPD officers for non-speaking background work in upcoming law enforcement scenes. Experienced officers are needed to add realism and professional authenticity to the production while portraying police personnel on camera.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a police officer in scripted television scenes
• Use real-world law enforcement knowledge to support an authentic performance
• Complete background actions according to production direction
• Cooperate with cast, crew, and fellow background performers
• Remain available throughout scheduled overnight filming

Requirements

• Real CPD experience required
• Open to male and female talent
• Must be comfortable appearing in a non-speaking role
• Men must be clean-shaven and have short hair
• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or nearby Illinois border states
• Must be available for one or more required filming nights

Compensation

• $206 for 8 hours
• Time-and-a-half after 8 hours
• Additional $25 special ability bump

Real SWAT Officers – TV Background Actors

Job Description

A television production is seeking real SWAT professionals to appear in non-speaking background roles. Selected talent will use their authentic law enforcement experience to help create realistic tactical scenes for the production. This opportunity is ideal for experienced SWAT personnel who are comfortable working overnight filming hours.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a SWAT officer in television scenes
• Bring authentic tactical and law enforcement experience to the role
• Perform realistic background actions under production direction
• Follow all on-set instructions and safety procedures
• Maintain professionalism throughout extended and overnight filming

Requirements

• Real SWAT experience required
• Men and women are encouraged to apply
• Must be comfortable working overnight shoots
• Men must be clean-shaven with short hair
• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or nearby Illinois border states
• Must be available for one or more required filming nights
• This is a non-speaking background role

Compensation

• $206 for 8 hours
• Time-and-a-half after 8 hours
• Additional $25 special ability bump

Hospital Patient – Female Background Actors

Job Description

A television production is seeking female background actors to portray hospital patients in an upcoming scene. Selected talent will appear in hospital gowns and help create an authentic medical environment on camera. This opportunity is ideal for performers who can take direction well and portray a patient naturally in a busy hospital setting.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a hospital patient in a television scene
• Wear a hospital gown as required for filming
• Perform natural background movements and reactions
• Follow direction from the production team throughout the shoot
• Maintain continuity and professionalism while working on set

Requirements

• Female talent, ages 20s–40s
• Open to all ethnicities
• Must be comfortable portraying a hospital patient
• Must be comfortable appearing on camera in a hospital gown
• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or nearby Illinois border states
• Must be available for the full production schedule

Compensation

• This is a paid background acting opportunity
• Compensation will be provided to selected talent

FBI Agents – Background Actors

Job Description

A television production is seeking male and female background actors to portray FBI agents in an upcoming office scene. Talent should have a polished, professional appearance and be comfortable portraying federal agents in a realistic workplace environment. These are non-speaking extra roles.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray an FBI agent in a professional office setting
• Perform natural background actions as directed by the production team
• Maintain a professional business appearance throughout filming
• Follow on-set instructions and remain available as needed during production
• Work effectively with other background performers and crew members

Requirements

• Men and women, ages 20s–60s
• Open to all ethnicities
• Men must be clean-shaven with short hair
• Must have access to a dark business suit appropriate for the role
• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or nearby Illinois border states
• Must be comfortable performing in a non-speaking background role

Compensation

• $136.40 for 8 hours
• Time-and-a-half applies after 8 hours

Runner III

Job Description

ESPN is looking for an experienced Runner III to support the Philadelphia @ Chicago live sports broadcast. This production role works alongside operations and broadcast crews to keep essential logistics moving behind the scenes. Candidates should be confident handling time-sensitive assignments, supporting announcer coordination, and adapting quickly as production needs change throughout the event.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide on-site assistance to operations and production teams during the remote broadcast

• Run errands and distribute materials or production information to crew members

• Assist with coordinating announcer arrivals, departures, and related logistics

• Carry out production requests accurately and efficiently

• Maintain reliable communication with crew members throughout the assignment

• Help troubleshoot routine logistical needs during the live production

• Take on additional show-related responsibilities as directed by the operations team

Requirements

• Must live within 100 miles of the event site

• Must be at least 21 years old and legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Must have a valid driver’s license

• Minimum of 10 shows of experience as a regional-level runner in live remote productions

• Reliable communication access via phone, text, and email

• Ability to stay organized and responsive in a fast-paced production environment

• Professional, proactive, and team-oriented attitude

• Familiarity with the venue and surrounding area is preferred

• Ability to lead or coordinate other runners during an event is a plus

• Understanding of basic broadcast production operations

Compensation

• This is a paid production opportunity

• Compensation will be discussed with selected candidates

Chicago Fire – Female Livecast Body Model

Job Description

“Chicago Fire” is seeking a female livecast model for a specialized full-body molding session in Chicago. The selected model will have a skin-safe mixture and plaster bandage applied to the body to create a lifecast, with the head and body casts completed separately. This role requires someone who can remain comfortable and still throughout the molding process.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a livecast model for a professional television production.
• Participate in separate head and full-body casting sessions.
• Remain still while skin-safe molding materials and plaster bandages are applied.
• Follow instructions from the makeup, effects, and production teams.
• Remain available for most of the day as required.

Requirements

• Female talent in her 20s.
• Height approximately 5’3″–5’8″.
• Thin to medium build.
• Must be comfortable with a full-body lifecasting process.
• Must not be claustrophobic.
• Must be able to work as a local hire in Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, or states bordering Illinois.

Compensation

• $300 for 8 hours.
• Time-and-a-half after 8 hours.

Chicago Fire – Hospital Background Actors

Job Description

“Chicago Fire” is seeking male background actors to portray hospital staff and hospital visitors in upcoming scenes filming in Chicago. Casting is open to men in their 20s–40s of all ethnicities who can bring a natural, professional presence to a busy hospital setting. Talent must be local to Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, or nearby states bordering Illinois.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray hospital staff, visitors, or other hospital background roles.
• Perform natural background action during scripted television scenes.
• Follow direction from assistant directors and the production team.
• Maintain continuity and professionalism throughout filming.
• Help create a realistic hospital environment for the TV production.

Requirements

• Male talent in their 20s–40s.
• All ethnicities are encouraged to apply.
• No visible arm or hand tattoos.
• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or states bordering Illinois.
• Comfortable working as background talent in hospital scenes.
• Reliable and able to follow on-set direction.

Compensation

• Compensation will be discussed with selected talent.

Chicago TV Extras With Cars

Job Description

A Chicago television production is seeking local background actors with vehicles for an upcoming shoot. Talent ages 18–70 of all ethnicities are encouraged to apply. Black cars are acceptable. This opportunity is open to performers in Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, and nearby states bordering Illinois. An early call time may be required.

Job Responsibilities

• Work as a background extra during a television production in Chicago.
• Bring your approved vehicle to the filming location.
• Follow directions from the production team throughout the shoot.
• Be prepared for an early morning call time and approximately eight hours of filming.

Requirements

• Ages 18–70.
• All ethnicities are welcome.
• Must be local to Chicago, the suburbs, or surrounding states bordering Illinois.
• Must have a vehicle available for filming.
• Black vehicles are acceptable.
• Must be available for the full production schedule.

Compensation

• $136.40 for 8 hours, with time-and-a-half after 8 hours.
• Additional $55 vehicle bump.

Chicago TV Series – Male Stand-In

Job Description

A Chicago television production is casting a male stand-in to assist with lighting, camera blocking, and scene preparation. The production is seeking a performer who closely matches the actor’s height, weight, hair, and overall appearance. This is a non-speaking stand-in role, and previous stand-in or background acting experience is helpful but not required.

Job Responsibilities

• Stand in for an actor during lighting and camera setups
• Assist the crew with camera blocking and scene preparation
• Maintain consistent marks, positioning, and movements
• Follow direction from the camera, lighting, and production teams
• Remain attentive and professional throughout the production day

Requirements

• Caucasian male
• Ages 20s to 40s
• Height between 5’11” and 6’1″
• Weight between 200 and 250 lbs.
• Brown hair
• Facial hair is acceptable
• Must be local to Chicago, surrounding suburbs, or states bordering Illinois
• Previous stand-in or background acting experience is helpful but not required

Compensation

• $192 for 8 hours
• Time-and-a-half overtime after 8 hours