Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers some of the most common questions about working as background talent, the booking process, payments, and industry expectations. The information below is intended to help talent understand how things work in practice.
Where specific legal or regulatory guidance is required, links to more detailed information are provided.
These FAQs apply to both actors and background talent, unless stated otherwise.
General Questions
FOSAC Castings works with both background talent and actors. Registrations are open to people of all ages, ethnicities, and body types.
Background roles focus on creating realistic environments, while acting roles may require specific skills, experience, or auditions depending on the production.
Acting experience is not required for background work.
For acting roles, experience, training, or prior credits may be requested depending on the role. This will always be specified by the production where applicable.
No. Registration does not guarantee work for either background or acting roles. Casting decisions are based on production requirements, suitability, availability, and selection by the production team.
Profiles, Registration & Representation
Registration is done online by submitting your details and photographs through the FOSAC Castings website.
It is important that all information provided is accurate and up to date, as this information is used for casting and availability checks.
Yes. Some performers are considered for both background and acting roles. Casting decisions will always depend on the specific requirements of each production and role.
Casting decisions are often made based on physical appearance, measurements, age, availability, and experience. Incorrect or outdated information can result in missed opportunities or issues on set.
Getting Booked, Auditions & Working on Production
An availability check is not a confirmed booking.
It is used to establish whether you are available and suitable before final selections are made by the production. Once availability has been confirmed, the production will make their final casting decisions.
An availability check is a preliminary step. A booking is only confirmed once you have been officially notified by a cast coordinator with full details such as dates, call times, and requirements.
If you do not respond, it is assumed that you are unavailable.
Repeated non-responses may affect future availability checks, as productions often work under tight timelines.
Not always. Some roles are cast based on profiles, previous work, or recommendations. Where auditions or self-tapes are required, this will be clearly communicated in advance.
The production will review submissions and decide on callbacks or final casting. Due to volume and time constraints, not all talent will receive individual feedback unless they are shortlisted or selected.
Once a booking is confirmed and contracts are issued, communication may take place through FOSAC Castings, the cast coordinator, or both, depending on the production.
Talent will be clearly advised who to contact and at which stage of the process. Any changes or queries should only be discussed after contracts have been signed, unless otherwise instructed.
If your availability changes after confirming a booking, you must notify FOSAC Castings immediately.
We will then communicate with the cast coordinator or production on your behalf, unless you have been advised otherwise.
Late cancellations affect productions and may impact future bookings, as reliability is a key factor in casting decisions.
Payments & Tax
Payments are usually made via electronic bank transfer. Talent are responsible for ensuring that their banking details are correct and up to date.
Film and television income is taxable in South Africa. Productions are responsible for ensuring tax compliance when paying talent.
If you cannot supply the required SARS tax information, production may not be able to confirm your booking or may not be able to process payment.
It is your responsibility to ensure your SARS details are correct and available when requested.
Detailed information about tax registration, deductions, and responsibilities is available on our SARS – What You Need to Know page.
Children in Film
Yes. Children may be cast in film, television, and advertising productions, provided all legal requirements are met.
For children under the age of 15, a work permit is legally required before a production may employ them.
The responsibility for arranging the permit lies with the production company, with parents or guardians providing the required consent and supporting documents.
Children aged 15 to 17 do not require a work permit, but labour laws regulating working hours, schooling, and rest periods still apply.
Yes. Parental consent is ongoing and may be withdrawn at any stage if a parent or guardian is uncomfortable with any aspect of a production.
Detailed guidance on permits, working hours, parental rights, and legal requirements is available on our Children in Film – What You Need to Know page.
Industry & On-Set Expectations
Background talent are expected to arrive on time, follow instructions from the assistant directors and cast coordinators, and help create a realistic environment for the scene being filmed.
Background work requires patience, professionalism, and the ability to take direction, often for extended periods of time.
Actors are expected to be prepared for their roles, follow direction from the director and production team, and work collaboratively with cast and crew.
Professional conduct, preparation, and respect for the production process are essential.
All talent should bring valid identification and any wardrobe or items specifically requested by production.
Background talent and actors should be prepared for a full working day unless advised otherwise.