All Posts

How to Get Booked On-Set More Often: Tips That Actually Work One of the questions we get asked most is: "How do agents choose who to submit for a role?" It's a fair thing to want to understand — especially if you've noticed you weren't submitted for something you were hoping for. So here's an honest, transparent look at how NZAT selects and submits talent in New Zealand, from the moment we receive a brief to the moment names get sent to production. Briefs come to us direct

If you're new to background work, extras, or on-set talent bookings, one of the most common questions we get is: "When do I get paid?" It's a fair question and one worth answering properly, because payment timing in film and TV isn't like a regular job. It depends on productions, accounts departments, invoicing back-and-forth, and a process that has several steps before money reaches your bank account. Here's generally how it works, so all NZAT talent — extras, actors, skille

One of the most common questions we get is: "How does it all actually work?" Fair question. Before you invest time setting up a profile and paying a joining fee, you deserve to know exactly what you're signing up for, what happens after you join, and how the process works when a production comes to us looking for talent. This article walks you through everything — step by step, no surprises. Step 1 — Create Your Profile on Heycast Everything starts with your profile on Heycas

Ever watched a busy café scene in a New Zealand drama and wondered who are all those people in the background? That's the world of the film and TV extra background, and it's one of the most accessible entry points into the screen industry in Aotearoa. No acting degree. No headshots from a professional photographer. No industry connections. Just you, showing up, doing your part — and being part of something that ends up on screen. This article breaks down exactly what the role

Ever wondered why a film set can spend hours preparing a scene before the main actors even step in front of the camera? A big part of the answer is the stand in — and it's one of the most underrated, in-demand roles in the New Zealand screen industry. It's not glamorous. You won't be on screen. But you'll be working closely with the director of photography, the camera crew, and the production team and you'll be paid to do it. Here's everything you need to know about what a st

You've probably heard the term "body double" thrown around; maybe in a behind-the-scenes clip, or when someone jokes about a celebrity having one. But the reality of what a picture double or body double actually does on a professional film or TV set is far more specific, and far more interesting, than most people realise. It's also one of the more specialised roles available in the New Zealand screen industry with often better pay than extra work, recurring bookings on long p

You've got a sporting background. Maybe you've trained in martial arts, played rugby at a serious level, spent years in the gym, or come up through competitive dance. You've always been curious about the film and TV industry — but you didn't think there was a role for someone like you. There is. It's called an action extra — and it's one of the most physical, exciting, and in-demand background roles in the New Zealand screen industry. Here's an honest breakdown of what the ro

You've spent years — maybe your whole life — mastering your discipline. You train when others don't. You compete at a level most people can't match. And you've probably never once thought that what you do on the field, in the water, on the track, or on the bike could put you on a film or TV screen. It can. And when it does, productions come to us. This is one of the most specific roles we represent at NZAT — and it's not for everyone. But if it's for you, we want you in our b

You want to act. Not just be in the background — you want to be seen, to have a role, to bring a character to life on screen. Whether that's a commercial that airs across New Zealand or a supporting role in a local drama or feature film, the path starts somewhere. NZAT represents actors for two entry-level categories in the professional screen industry: commercial roles and supporting acting roles. Neither requires a long list of credits to get started — but both require the