Who we are
Our website address is: https://castingtree.co.uk.
Artiste Payment Procedure
Our Artistes are paid within 48 hours of us having received the money from the client. It may take a couple of days to leave and enter your account so some may receive their payments quicker than others.
The average wait time is 4-6 weeks for soaps, and 6-8 week for independent Production Companies.
TV Commercials & Photographic clients tend to take the longest to pay as, more often than not, we have to invoice a London Client, and their payment terms to us are between 60 and 90 days for us to receive the money before we can then process it at our end.
WE GET A LOT OF UN-NECESSARY PAYMENT ENQUIRIES FROM ARTISTES WHO HAVE NOT READ THE ABOVE INFORMATION.
PLEASE ONLY QUERY ANY PAYMENT IF IT IS OVER 12 WEEKS OLD.
Artiste Rates Correct at 01 January 2025
It is the artists responsibility to ensure they sign out at the correct rate on the day, as queries afterwards can result in an artist being underpaid. If you do not agree with the rate you sign out as on the day, and you politely query it with the 2nd AD or crown co-ordinator, and they do not agree with your query, you are entitled to write ‘DISPUTED’ next to your rate/name on the sheet, and report back to Casting Tree with the query. Please bear in mind that the rates below are before commission and VAT. All up to date rates for BBC/Equity, ITV/Equity and PACT/Equity can be found on www.equity.org.uk.
Pact/Equity Rates Correct at January 2025
We work with several independent production companies who work with the PACT rate which is recognised by EQUITY. They do not have walk on 1, 2 and 3. They have a SA rate for ‘supporting artists’ (equivalent is walk on 1) and the other rate is WO for ‘Walk On’ artist (equivalent is either walk on 2 or 3 – so for WO you would be required speak up to 12 insignificant words. There is only the one rate for this: not split into 2). I have been informed that if you are working on the PACT rate and you are given individual direction, this is still classed as SA and not WO, so you must speak to get a WO rate unless specified at time of booking.
PACT agreement rates (used by independent TV companies)
Up to 10 hours plus 1 hour lunch
SA £120.07 including holiday pay. Overtime is £8.42 per half hour – (SA is basic extra or Supporting Artist as it is known – but there may be individual direction given on this rate)
WO £30.60 uplift on the above rate – and this is negotiable, dependant on how involved and featured the Walk on is. You must speak words to qualify for a walk on rate, unless agreed first.
Special Skills is an additional £25.50
BBC/Equity Rates
The BBC/Equity rates are as follows:
Supporting Artist – £120.07 for a nine-hour day
Overtime for SA after 9 hours is £13.10 per hour. Overtime for WO after 9 hours is £16.30 per hour
Buyout Rates
Some productions pay a buyout rate for productions. Filming hours can vary and so can the rates. Day rates can be £100 for extras and £150 to £250 for featured dialogue parts. If it is a special rate on a booking, we would always inform you of this before you undertake the job.
Crowd Rate
A crowd day for any production is when 41 or more artists are booked on a production on the same day. Again, the fee is reduced again for this, but if it was a crowd day I would give you the rate at the time of booking as there are several rates for different companies.
Night Rate
If a job is a night rate for filming past midnight, We would inform you of the additional fees.
TV Commercials
These can vary and will be given to you at the time of booking. We deduct 25% commission from commercials where artists are classed as featured. Normal 15%+vat commission applies to background extra work on commercials.
Photographic Stills Work
Photographic rates can vary and will be given to you at the time of booking. We deduct 25% commission from these rates
Artiste Terms & Conditions
I will notify the agency of my non-availability for work on a WEEKLY basis – but once an offer has been accepted in respect of my services, I shall faithfully carry out all my obligations in accordance with the contract made.
I agree to inform Casting Tree of my availability when requested via text or what’s app.
I confirm that I am self-employed, and that all fees paid to me are paid gross of taxes and national insurance. I also understand that if I am claiming benefits that it is my responsibility to make the necessary checks as to whether I am allowed to do this kind of work and I must declare it accordingly. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT BY LAW CASTING TREE MAY BE ASKED TO PASS MY DETAILS ONTO HM CUSTOMS & EXCISE FOR INCOME TAX DEDUCTION PURPOSES.
I understand that it is my duty to register with HM Customs & Excise for Value Added Tax if my annual turnover exceeds the minimum annual turnover registration threshold for the time being.
I understand that if following a job on the rare occasion I am paid cash direct by the client, I acknowledge that this sum includes not only the agency fee but also the agency’s commission and undertake to reimburse the agency accordingly within 24 hours of doing the job.
I understand and agree that Casting Tree will deduct 15% agency commission + VAT from all background fees and 25% + VAT where I am classed as a featured artist in a TV Commercial., and 25% + VAT commission on any photographic still work. These fees are for suggesting, securing, and confirming the details for the booking to you, (the artiste).
Child Commission is 15% + VAT – we only represent children for not background extra work.
I understand that I am required to have a DBS police check at a cost of £18.00 (price correct as of 01/01/2024) once I have been offered a place by Casting Tree Agency Ltd.
I understand that all TV background jobs can take up to 12 weeks for Casting Tree to receive payment. Casting Tree normally receive payment for Northwest based Soaps within 4 weeks. When payment is received and cleared, monies will then be paid into a client account ready to go on the next payment run.
I agree and understand that if any client defaults on payment, I cannot hold Casting Tree responsible. Whilst all clients are believed to be credit worthy and reputable Casting Tree do not guarantee and are not responsible for the non-payment of fees and expenses in relation to such engagements.
I understand that if a TV background artist is given a background role character name that consequently turns into something regular, and then the artist leaves the agency but the character is rebooked in the future at any time, the commission for this job must come to Casting Tree. Similarly, if an extra goes for a casting for a named character as a main part and gets the part, the commission from this role must always come to Casting Tree at 15% now and in the future.
I agree not to accept any freelance work from a client or give out my personal telephone numbers to a client without agreeing it first with Casting Tree.
I understand that failure to attend a confirmed booking may result in a charge of commission to my account unless I can provide a sick note from my doctor.
I understand and agree that if through misconduct, lateness, or failure to attend a confirmed booking I cause a studio/employer financial loss, the agency reserve the right to charge such losses to my account. (Commission that would have been due to us). If I am booked / pencilled on several days work (continuity) and have agreed to film all days and then fail to show for any of the days for whatever reason, I must understand that the TV company may refuse to pay for any days already filmed due to the fact that scenes may have to be re-shot at the TV company’s expense.
I authorise Casting Tree to sign any written documents/TV contracts relating to any job that Casting Tree may have secured and negotiated for me. I confirm that I will not sign any documents or release forms relating to bookings without first consulting Casting Tree. I understand that if I sign any document/release form without agreeing it first with Casting Tree that I cannot hold Casting Tree responsible for any loss of income.
The Data Protection Act requires Casting Tree to obtain your permission to share your personal data to 3rd parties. I agree and understand that by signing Casting Tree’s terms and Conditions I am giving full permission for Casting Tree to do so. Casting Tree Has a GDPR Policy (General Data Protection Regulation) which can be obtained at your request. We only share aspects of your personal data for the benefit of a booking i.e. Name, NI Number, Phone Number, Address, Measurements. We Never share your bank information with anyone.
I understand and agree that I must not at any time have my mobile phone switched on, on set, I will not approach any of the actors on set nor will I ask for an autograph or request to leave early. I understand that I must abide by all rule and regulations set out by all the TV companies I work with.
I understand and agree that I will not divulge to the press/media or any other person any storylines or comment about any of the actors on set. I also agree that I will not share any information about any assignments with Casting Tree on any social networking sites unless agreed by Casting Tree in writing.
I agree that I will not consume alcohol or non-prescribed drugs either 12 hours before a job, or during a job. Anyone found doing so could be removed from the job and even our books at our discretion.
I understand that filming days CAN start from 6am and can last up to 12 hours and sometimes beyond.
I understand that I cannot take anybody with me on a job whether that is on location or at the studio.
I understand and agree that at times I will have to bring and have available certain items of clothing which the agency will inform me of, for certain productions.
I understand and agree if my appearance should change E.g. Hairstyle, Hair Colour etc it is my duty to inform Casting Tree. If there are any significant changes, I agree to have my photograph re-taken.
I confirm that I hold a UK Passport or that I am eligible to work in the UK and I have a UK National Insurance number. (These will need to be scanned and copies will be held at the agency whilst you are represented by us).
I understand that I am not under contract to Casting Tree and I may leave the agency at any time, which I must confirm in writing to the agency giving the agency a seven-day notice period. Casting Tree reserve the right to cease representation at any time. Casting Tree agree to give the artist a seven-day notice period of their termination.
CASTING Tree reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.
Revised 1st January 2025
