FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You’ve Got Questions - We’ve Got Answers!
WHO ARE TEAM CROWD TRACKER?
Two friends who joined forces during the Global Coronavirus Pandemic to cover more production hours whilst maintaining a better work-life balance. Both with 20+ year’s experience to pull from.
Alana Hughes (nee Herron) who established RentaCrowd Extras Agency in 2003.
Joyce McLellend who established Vivace Theatre School also in 2003.
WHAT DOES TEAM CROWD TRACKER DO?
We help productions to create authentic background scenes within the TV, Film and Advertising industries. Providing professional SAs and WOs to bring authenticity to each and every scene. Populating restaurants, weddings, funerals, hospitals, police stations, high streets and more. We work with SAs, WOs, ADs and Production Accountants to get the job done to the best of our ability and keep everyone satisfied.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN DIGITAL CHIT SYSTEM?
Yes. Free to use for productions booking our team on their shoots. Chits can be provided in a timely manner.
ARE THERE ANY UPFRONT COSTS?
No. Absolutely not. We want the TV and Film industry to be accessible to all. That’s why we’ve made the decision to only charge for the work we find our team. The charge is the industry standard 20% of the work we find.
AM I GUARANTEED WORK?
No. You’re not guaranteed anything. We work on a good faith basis. That’s why we host your profile for free on our site and do not charge upfront/admin fees.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Anyone and everyone who is a UK resident. As well as Non-UK residents who can provide us with an HMRC Share Code.
WHERE CAN I GET A SHARE CODE?
WHERE CAN I GET A DISCLOSURE?
https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/apply-for-basic-disclosure
A basic disclosure costs £25 and needs to be renewed every 18 months.
Production will accept an enhanced disclosure/PVG if it is dated within the last 3 years.
If you have one for your other job, then that one will be fine. You don’t need to get one specifically for our line of work.
WHAT IS AN SA?
SA is short for ‘Supporting Artist’ which can otherwise be known as an Extra.
WHAT IS A WO?
WO is short for ‘Walk-on’. Someone who is more featured than an SA but not as featured as an Actor. May have a few lines of dialogue so must be good at acting and reacting to the scene.
WHAT IS AN AD?
AD is short for 'Assistant Director'.
HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID?
It varies from shoot to shoot but on average £100 per day, often higher when overtime or usage is applied. Advertising campaigns can often pay higher as it involves more featured campaigns.
WHAT IS USAGE?
An agreed fee for the use of the length of time the campaign will be used by production. This usually only applies to featured parts in advertising campaigns.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ONSET?
The unexpected! It’s such a versatile industry that is trying to showcase every sector of the world we live in. Life is unpredictable. As is the case with TV and Film. Best thing to do is listen carefully to what is going around about you and react accordingly to the scene.
HOW DO I GET BOOKED?
It’s easy. We use the A, B, C booking procedure:
A is for Availability check that will come to you via text or email with all the info available relating to the job. Enough for you to make an informed decision on whether to say yes to the av check.
B is for the booking confirmation that we send via email to let you know that you have been booked for the job. We will always let you know either way. If you’re not selected, you will receive a release email to keep you looped in at every stage.
C is the call sheet. This is the final email that will give you the rest of the info you need to complete the booking. Some of the information in our industry is not made available to the agency until the evening before the shoot. If you have a booking confirmation then, please relax and know that we will send a call sheet as soon as the rest of the information becomes available.
HOW DO I CANCEL A BOOKING?
We have a fantastic work attendance rate, and we appreciate the teams’ efforts in maintaining this. We understand that life sometimes intervenes, and it is necessary to cancel your booking. The way to do this if you genuinely can no longer make it is: ** Call the mobile 07877 984 636 as soon as you know you can no longer make it.**
HOW DO I GET PAID?
This also varies from production to production. It depends on whether the production accounts team want to use paper chits or digital chits. If paper chits are used, you will be asked to fill in a paper copy on set. Please check your call time, wrap time, and make sure the amount on the chit meets with what you were expecting. Always take a photo of your completed chit before you leave, please. If it is digital chits, an email will be sent to you for signing. Please check and sign promptly as this will speed up your payment. Don’t forget to sign either as it can result in a delayed payment.
WHAT DOES CALL-TIME MEAN?
It’s the time that you are due to be onset.
WHAT DOES WRAP MEAN?
It’s the time that you finish filming.
WHAT IS A CHIT?
It’s a timesheet completed after filming so that we have the correct amount to invoice on your behalf. They can come in two forms: digital or paper copies. If it is digital, you will receive an email with the call/wrap and amount you are due usually 24-48 hours after filming. If it is a paper copy you are required to fill in, please make sure that you check the call/wrap time and that the amounts are in line with what you are expecting. If it is a paper copy, then please take a photo of the completed chit and send it in to the agency. This will help us speed up your payment.
WHAT PHOTOS DO I NEED?
Just a range of clear photos against a plain, light background (but not a window). Examples can be obtained from the Agency. They do not need to be professional but professional images do create a more polished image. As a self-employed person, it’s your call.
AM I EMPLOYED BY TEAM CROWD TRACKER?
No. You work with us on a self-employed basis. This means that you are responsible for your own tax and National Insurance contributions. We will supply you with a self-billing invoice for each job to help you work out your tax liability. You can view your invoice by logging into your profile https://myaccount.teamcrowdtracker.com/ and clicking on 'Work' then click on ‘Invoices’ or ‘Timesheets’.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT I’M BOOKED FOR?
The easiest and quickest way for you to check is by logging into your profile https://myaccount.teamcrowdtracker.com/ and clicking on 'Work' then click on 'Jobs' - where you will see what you are booked for. It's quicker than a call or email to the agency as you won’t have to wait for a reply. See instantly what you are booked with a few clicks of a button.
WHY DIDN’T I RECEIVE AN EMAIL?
That’s a question for your own email provider. We always send emails when going through the A,B,C booking process. Sometimes they can end up in your junk folder or not received at all. Once we send them, it's up to your email provider if they deliver it to you or not. If you follow these steps, you can see if you are booked (or not) by logging into your profile https://myaccount.teamcrowdtracker.com/ and clicking on 'Work' then click on 'Jobs’. If a job you applied for is completely gone, then you are not needed and are free to take other work.
WHAT DOES RESET MEAN?
When you are taken out onto the set, your 3rd AD will give you your first (or starting) position. When you hear the word ‘reset’ that means make your way back to your first position.
HOW CAN I INCREASE MY CHANCES OF WORK?
Be professional. Turn up to work you've agreed to, with the right wardrobe requirements hanging neatly ironed and ready to be checked by costume. Login to your profile frequently. Make sure your photos and sizes are a true likeness. Keep quiet when you are onset and listen to what the Director is asking of you. Generally, just be nice to everyone. It’s that simple.
WHO CHOOSES PEOPLE FOR WORK?
Not us. The Agency never selects people for work. Our clients: Assistant Directors, Producers, Casting Directors choose who they want to work with. We can only put you in front of them. Then it's out of our hands.
IS THERE A WAY TO STOP RECEIVING AVAILABILITY CHECK EMAILS BUT STAY ON THE BOOKS?
Yes. You can by logging into your profile https://myaccount.teamcrowdtracker.com/ and clicking on ‘Profile’ then ‘Key Information’ then change your ‘Availability Status’. This will not affect your standing with the agency. Sometimes it's good to take a break.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We cover the whole of Scotland but our team of bookers work remotely or in production offices or AD trucks as and when required.
We can work anywhere so long as we have our phones, laptops and internet connection.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT THE AGENCY
Email will always get your the quickest response.
If it is an emergency in connection to a job, then please call the mobile 07877 984 636.
DO YOU ORGANISE CAR SHARES?
No. Not since prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. People have mixed views on car sharing. Some feel that it's great for the environment and others just prefer their own space first thing in the morning. It's your responsibility as a self-employed person to get to work on time.