The Central Casting Corporation , commonly known as Central Casting , was founded in 1926 by the AMPTP ( Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers ), an agency representing the government , in order to regulate and centralize the employment of extras and bit players , and to prevent their exploitation or discrimination . The service was offered free of charge to the extras, who until then were subjected to frequent humiliation , sexual harassment and unfair wages . The studios went along (i.e., financed the organization) to clear their faltering reputation with the public and to prevent further government intervention . After the collapse of the Hollywood Studio System , major studios withdrew their support of Central Casting and in 1976 it was privatized . It is now a part of the Entertainment Partners Corporation and can be found at their website 1 .
The Office is in Burbank near the railroad tracks alongside of the 5 freeway. In the warehouse building's entrance area is a message board . Most Extras cast are working non union . There's always a long line of hopefuls to meet with a casting agent behind the counter partition dividing the room. Before they moved to the new office, their location was closer to the studios .
Working as an Extra is an entry level into the industry. It is a great chance to observe first hand the orchestration of a film crew on location. The odds of working as an extra to becoming part of a crew are high. You never know.
