1. 1. Have copies of everything! You should have electronic copies of your ACTRA card (front and back), your Workplace Safety Awareness Certificate and your proof of residency paperwork readily available.
   2. Do not take any pictures on-set without permission, and do not post anything on social media that would reveal production details. Notice what’s in the background of your photos. If in doubt, ask.
   3. The workday is divided into 6-minute increments (IPA). (See the conversion chart below)

6 Minute (one-tenth (1/10) hour) Increment Chart

1. • Productions use a 24-hour clock. Here is a 24-hour time conversion chart.
   • Need to contact ACTRA? Call or email ACTRA Toronto: 416-928-2278 / Toll-free: 1.877.913.2278 / info@actratoronto.com
   • Who is the ACTRA rep on this show? Find the Business Rep for the Production and their contact info on What’s Shooting
   • After-Hours (4:45pm-9am) Non-Emergency Reporting: afterhours@actratoronto.com
   • 24/7 Emergency Reporting – HAVEN Helpline: 1-855-201-7823

All performers need to provide documentation not only to work but to get paid. Have physical copies as well as electronic copies downloaded to your phone or available “in the cloud.” Don’t count on the shooting location having good WiFi or reception.

Documentation:

• 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 you have completed 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. Nor does ACTRA Toronto have a copy of your certificate. Health and safety awareness training is MANDATORY for all Ontario workers.

• Proof of Residency in Ontario.

Documentation to prove your residency is required for the Producer to receive labour tax credits for you. A few different documents are accepted:

• • 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
  • ACTRA Membership Card
  • Driver’s License
  • Optional: You can upload your documents to Entertainment Partners’ Canada if the production is using it: EP Residency application

Consider a single sheet of paper with back and front images of your cards.

• COVID Test Results (if you received them) Likely, Production will have it electronically.
• COVID Training Certificate If you are given one, have it with you. Each Production may have a different certificate they consider valid.

Tip: Before you go to set, download your confirmation booking email, showing the instructions you were given.

ACTRAonline | Background Performers is a searchable database of professional background talent. Build your profile! It’s quick and easy. Make sure to keep your availability calendar updated.

Productions are not required to feed us but often do. If they don’t, it is your responsibility to bring your own lunch, as there may be insufficient time or access to food at the location. Production is required to provide each of us with a chair and water.

“First Meal” is usually a 1-hour unpaid break.

If your lunch break, from break to resuming work is 30-59 minutes, it is a "paythrough lunch".

A “rolling lunch” means there is not a scheduled meal break for everyone and Cast and Crew will be broken when they are not required on set.

“Plateau Continu”, “Ontario Hours” and “French Hours” are different names for the same thing - a maximum 11 hour work day which starts with EITHER a 1 hour paid meal break and access to continuing hot buffet for the remaining 10 hours OR starts with a 30 minute paythrough meal plus 2 x 15 minute meal breaks during the rest of the 11 hour day to access the continuing hot buffet.

Tip: Bring a food kit with snacks suitable for your dietary needs and preferences.

Rest periods or breaks for performers are required:

• During inclement weather: 10 minutes every 1 hour
• There are different rules for breaks for children of different ages. Note: All minors rules apply to all minors working on set, including in the background.
• Breaks do not include the length of time it takes to travel to and from Background Holding

• Bring two (head-to-toe) wardrobe choices: Wear one and bring the other.
• If you are asked to bring a 3^rd outfit, you will be compensated for each additional outfit over 2. See the IPA for current rates.
• If you are asked to bring a specialty outfit (e.g., tuxedo, ballgown), you will be compensated.
• There is no harm in being prepared by bringing additional outfits! However, you will only be compensated if you were asked to bring a third or more additional outfits.
• Ensure you follow any wardrobe notes carefully and avoid any colours or patterns that Production has specifically asked you not to wear or bring to set.
• If Wardrobe loans you an item, they may keep your voucher to ensure it is returned. They will expect the wardrobe item to be in the same condition as when you received it. Make sure you retrieve your voucher at the end of the day when you return the item.
• If you’re required to be in uncomfortable footwear on set, you are permitted to bring an extra pair of travel shoes to wear from Holding to Set. Keep comfortable shoes handy and easily accessible.

Your voucher could be green, digital or white.

Smaller white vouchers are for background performers “outside the count.”

(“The Count” is the minimum number of background performers required to be paid at full rates per day, not including Stand-Ins, Photodoubles or 2 Special Skills/SSE.

The Count varies from Production to Production, according to the budget and option chosen by the production.

You can find the count for your production on What’s Shooting.)

Any member or non-member can work on a “white voucher” outside The Count, but the rates are lower. Jobs in The Count go first to suitable and available Full Members, then Apprentices, then ACTRA Additional Background Performers, then non-union folks, based on the needs of the production.

There is a new voucher, the Green Voucher! It replaces the old blue, pink and yellow vouchers. It can be a paper copy or could be filled out digitally. The white voucher remains unchanged but can also be supplied digitally.

To protect your privacy, keep your voucher details secure while on set. It contains your personal identification.

Wait until you return the voucher at the end of the day to fill out your SIN.

If wardrobe is keeping your voucher because they have loaned you a costume, ensure that they have it stored in a secure location. If it is visible, mention that it needs to be secured.

• If you were asked to bring three or more wardrobe choices, write the number of changes in the “Regular Wardrobe # of changes” box of your voucher.
• If you were asked to bring a specialty wardrobe item, make sure to note this in the “Specialty Wardrobe # of changes” box of your voucher. Use the Comments Section if you need more space.
• If you were asked to bring in a prop, vehicle, bike, musical instrument, or any other specialty item, make sure to note this on your voucher in the “Specialty Item/Car” box. Again, use the Comments Section if you need more space to detail specifics.
• If you were required to drive yourself to a location outside The Zone, note your kilometres one way to set, double it, and write that in the mileage box.

• Take your time. Try not to feel pressured. Your voucher is your contract with the Production. Once you sign it, it means you agree to the information on the voucher. Ensure all information is entered correctly. Do not agree to, nor write, anything that is not accurate.
• Ensure the wrap time is accurate. Time spent waiting in the sign-out line is work time.
• Ensure your performance category is correct in the Category section of your voucher.
• If you have been upgraded on set, ensure this change is reflected on your voucher in the Upgrade box. If you have been given a contract for the upgrade, ensure it is filled out correctly and that the role is correct (e.g., restaurant patron).
• Lunch: “30-minute lunch”/“Paid Through lunch” or “Rolling lunch” will be noted at the top of the call sheet and should also be noted on your voucher.
• Meal penalty: if applicable, MP1 box or MP2 should be checked. The rules for when a meal penalty applies can be complicated.
• Leave the Agree or Disagree section to the very end.
  • Disagreeing does not get you blacklisted from a production.
  • If you are told something was agreed upon between Production and ACTRA, you can check Disagree and verify with ACTRA later.
  • If you check “Disagree,” immediately email your agent and the Business Representative with the reason. This is important, as ACTRA Toronto may not receive vouchers from Production for some time, and there are time limits for disputes. Your agent should pursue the reasons for marking disagree immediately with Production.
• If given permission, take a photo of your voucher after completion. If pictures are not allowed, it is your right to maintain a separate written log that Production should sign if you request it.

IPA: Jump to page 3 of 7 of this PDF, C101 for the current year.

NCA: Section 12

Production will send cheques directly to you. We recommend you put your own address on your IPA voucher. Some BG agents may ask you to put their mailing address on your voucher, but you do not have to! It’s your choice.

Understand your cheque, including:

• The daily fee
• Overtime rate
• Travel Time rate (always the hourly rate in 6-minute increments; does not contribute to overtime)
• Extra charges (e.g., prop fee, additional wardrobe changes, specialty item, etc.)
• Penalties (e.g., meal penalties and turnaround penalties)

Upgrade Request Forms

 If you believe you were asked to do work outside of your booked category, kindly mark off the ‘disagree’ box on your voucher.

Please contact your agent and the Business Representative with the details of the work you were asked to do. To assist in this, please complete and return a Performer Upgrade Request Form to the Business Representative for review.

• Respond to all requests from Production for documentation you may have failed to provide on set.
• If you were upgraded, ensure you have been provided with and filled in the appropriate paperwork and send it to your agent. If you have not received a contract for the upgrade, please ask your agent to follow up with Production.
• Still missing your payment? Your agent should be your first call. Follow these steps.
• When all monies owed have been received, pay your agent their commission as agreed in your contract, verbal agreement or booking email, plus HST if they collect it
• If you have provided all the required information to the Producer in a timely manner your payment should be sent out within 14 calendar days of your work (IPA article A3601) or 15 business days after the work day (NCA article 2602). Use payments are owed 20 days from first play or new cycle start date for the NCA.
• Late payment penalties are as follows:
  IPA – 24% of Gross Fee per year = 2% of Gross Fee per month after the 14-day payment period.
  NCA - Late payment penalty is $6.00/day from the date of default up to 30 business days. If payment is not received and ACTRA has notified the Engager of such, penalty payments resume at a rate of $10.00/day without limitation.

ACTRA Toronto Forms

Looking for a form? Visit the ACTRA Toronto Forms page.

ACTRAonline Member Zone: The online interface with your union. This is where you can update your address, email, agent, etc.

Appendix 30 of the IPA is a good quick reference to the Employer’s responsibilities to provide suitable working conditions for performers.

Child Performers

• Ontario Ministry of Labour Child Performers Guideline
• Part I: Occupational Health and Safety Act and Health and Safety Measures - B. Health and Safety Measures
• Part II: Protecting Child Performers Act, 2015
• Part III: Industry Standards
• https://www.actratoronto.com/child-performers/

COVID Information: Coronavirus Updates, COVID-19 Best Practices, Vaccination FAQs

Factsheets (ACTRA Toronto)

Glossary of Production Terms

IPA Agreement

Member Education: ACTRA Toronto has many courses to help you learn more, such as:

• ACTRA Additional Background Performer (AABP) Orientation
• Apprentice Orientation
• Full Member Session
  • Respect on Set Workshops
  • Set Etiquette and Call Sheets
  • It’s Not Part of the Job: Preventing and Dealing with Harassment
  • IPA Refresher
  • NCA Refresher
  • Money Matters

Mental Health Support

NCA Agreement

Nudity: Best Practices for Scenes involving Nudity, Intimacy, Simulated Sex and Sexual Violence

HAVEN Helpline (Harassment, Anti-racism and Violence Emergency Network) is a national, bilingual critical incident reporting line available to members of ACTRA (excluding UBCP/ACTRA members), Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC).

Pay Your Dues Online

Personal Care Kit Tips

• It is especially essential during COVID to bring your own items. If you are going to Hair & Makeup, they will use your own items.
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Hand cream
• Makeup
  • Primer (to keep makeup set)
  • Foundation (consider powder-free, as powder can pile on throughout the shoot day)
  • Neutral lipstick
  • Makeup brushes.
• Haircare items.

Problems on Set

Reporting Harassment

• Harassment Report form

Radius Map is a zoomable map ACTRA Toronto and Production use to set travel times to different locations outside “the zone.” The Zone is a 40 km radius calculated from ACTRA Toronto’s office near the centre of the city at 625 Church Street, Toronto, ON.

• Staff Directory
• After-Hours (4:45pm-9am) Non-Emergency Reporting: afterhours@actratoronto.com
• Background Advocate: Shereen Airth, bgadvocate@actratoronto.com
• Child Advocate: ­­­Christina Collins, 416-928-2278 ext. 6605, childadvocate@actratoronto.com