Q&A
1. How does someone join L.A. Entertainment?
Referrals. Direct Invite.
Please ensure that you fill in the online performer application (Note: you must be legal age to do so).
2. What do you do now that you have filled out the online performer application?
Thank you for submitting your performer application. All potential candidates for Principal work and background work must also use the contact form located on this site to contact us. Once we receive your email we will set up an online or in-person interview.
3. Very Important
We welcome performers who have a flexible schedule, ideally have graduated from a film/television/performing arts program and who reside preferably in/around the GTA or are willing to drive in/commute to location. We are now open to expanding our talent database to include the Guelph, Barrie, Hamilton/Niagara & the Ottawa/Montreal regions.
Your conduct while working on-set for L.A. Entertainment should always be nothing less than professional. Therefore, it is paramount you are ALWAYS on-time and ready to work/audition with the appropriate attire and items requested.
**TALENT MAY NOT disclose booking, set or other relevant details regarding work, to any one, for any reason. NO Tweeting NO postings of any kind including pictures that relate directly to the set, location or scene/project you are working on please.
NOTE: ALL talent must provide a copy of the Ontario Health and Safety Certificate prior to working. As well, must keep a copy on their person to turn into each new production worked on for their records. You must keep a hard copy on your person to provide on set if asked and email us a copy as well.
Please click on the link below in order to complete this now.
Ontario Worker Health & Safety Training Certificate
4. What is the current fee structure?
Background Talent:
FULL ACTRA Or Apprentice member Background talent are NOT subject to Administration fees initially to register.
AABP or Non-union would be subject to a One time Administration fee and HST. ($100/year +hst).
Eligible indigenous applicants & all Children under 18 yrs old and Adults over 65 years old do not pay a fee and are exempt.
It is strongly recommended that you maintain active profiles ongoing on BG4hire at your own expense since we do use this service for BG submissions/picture casting. Please ensure those are up-to-date and current and take advantage of the calendar there to block out your non-available dates. You are responsible for your own updates.
Principal Talent:
All Principal talent must maintain active profiles on www.castingworkbook.com (at your own expense) and www.actorsaccess.com. IF you do not renew with them yearly or keep those profiles up-to-date we will remove you from our principal roster.
Our commission structure:
Standard across the board commissions for all performers regardless of union status/rate/category.
The commission is calculated on the gross subtotal amount of your paystub.
(**Commission includes, but is not limited to payments received for COVID tests, mileage, travel, wardrobe and equipment, cars and pets)
15% TV, FILM, COMMERCIAL +hst (including BG work/SSE/Actor & Principal roles/upgrades)
20% for print/models/music +hst
10% theatre +hst
Other Agency fees if applicable (+hst)
$50.00 NSF fee for any cheque that is returned.
$50.00 No-Show Fee for a confirmed booking.
$20.00 Late fee
If you can no longer make it to your booking, please alert us, as soon as possible in advance.
BG must inform us in advance, otherwise it will result in being charged!
Please communicate any cancellations in advance to avoid this fee.
$20.00 Late fee penalty, should casting alert us you arrived late. (Being on time is paramount! Should we be alerted by casting and have to track you down via calls/text...this fee would apply).
5. What about getting paid/taxes/working in Canada?
All performers need to provide documentation to work on a film set/to get paid.
Performers should have physical copies as well as electronic copies available when asked.
Documentation you must have ready to show and bring with you when booked:
1)Health and safety awareness training is MANDATORY for all Ontario workers.
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps Certificate
You receive a Proof of Completion Certificate when completed via the online training module. You must save and/or print the certificate before exiting the module. Keep copies for your records. The Ministry does not store your certificate or keep a record.
2)Provide Proof of Residency (ONTARIO)
Documentation to prove your residency is required when working on set in Ontario. The following are accepted as proof:
- Notice of Assessment for the previous tax year to show where you pay your taxes. You can black out your financial information.
- Personal Identification Cards including your ACTRA membership Card
- Driver’s License
Note:
Talent cheque/payments that are received directly at your home address; upon receipt, MUST immediately be reported and a pay stub sent to us so we can invoice you your commission due.
You must pay your commission immediately after receiving an invoice from us and are due upon receipt.
Keep in mind that Non-union gigs can take anywhere from 30-90 days for payments to be processed. There are occasional delays with this. If that is the case, we would alert you. In many cases, we must invoice the client and then they pay us. After which, payments/ cheques are issued & sent out to talent after holds are released. Payments will be sent out on the 15th & 30th of each month ongoing for any payments due, once funds have cleared. Please sure that we have your most current and up-to-date mailing address on file.
If payment received at home:
• Please email the top portion of your pay stub along with the payment vouchure as soon as that is received- we will then invoice you in advance of sending us your payment that way we can ensure it is the correct amount before remitting to us. You can send us an e-transfer directly to our email address.
Reminder:
It is important that production has all the payroll requested/required documentation requested from you when booked. (proof of residency etc.) that way as to ensure there is no delay in issuing those. Background Cheques for tv/film take about 2 weeks to be issued and are mailed out to talent.
We are NOT YOUR EMPLOYER.
We are the agent between the production company and yourself and they are the one who contracts you as an independent contractor.
You are responsible for your own taxes and must track your own earnings.
Please keep your receipts/record of every transaction, including booking emails.
As an independent contractor this is vital, and it will help you calculate your expenses come tax time.
If for some reason a T4 was not issued by production, your alternative documentation such as a payment vouchure or proof of payment will serve as an alternative for reporting your contracted earnings for tax purposes.
ALL TALENT MUST POSSESS LEGAL AUTHORIZATION TO WORK IN CANADA/HAVE A VALID SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER AND WORK PERMITS (IF APPLICABLE)
Per Canadian and immigration and labor laws.
You are responsible for maintaining those and will be asked to provide this documentation.
Children should have their own social insurance number/work permit.
6. Where can I find more information that is helpful?
Please see our links page for more industry related information.
7. What type of pictures do I need?
BG talent must upload pictures that reflect your current look to your BG profile on bg4hire. One must have a white background (head and shoulders, front view) the others, can be business, casual, formal wear looks. Digital quality with no one else in them. Your profile as it appears on bg4hire, should always remain current with accurate sizes in full, reflect current look and be updated with your availability (marking your non-avail dates as they arise) regularly.
Principal talent need recent a recent actor's headshot. These should be done by a professional headshot photographer. If you do BG work, do not use your professional headshot on bg4hire.com. Reserve that for your principal agent/ submissions only.
Note: As your look, sizes, address, schedule changes, those can be updated by you on your current electronic profiles as well as resubmitting your performer application again using this site with your new information. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure this is done.
Please see the following for even more information: (courtesy of BG4HIRE)
Take a look at the "ON-SET GUIDE" click here.
As well as, some COMMONLY USED TERMS click here.