Jeff Olan Casting

Jeff Olan Casting is a veteran Los Angeles-based background casting company operated by casting director Jeff Olan, who has been active in the Hollywood background casting scene for decades. The company has provided background actors for a wide range of major film and television productions over the years, building a track record of reliability that has kept it in demand with production companies and assistant directors. Jeff Olan is personally known within the industry for his hands-on approach to background casting and his ability to efficiently fill complex background requirements. The company operates as one of the established independent background casting providers in the Los Angeles market, occupying an important niche alongside Central Casting and other background casting services. Its longevity in a competitive market speaks to the quality and consistency of the service it provides to both productions and actors.

Jeff Olan Casting functions as a valuable component of the Los Angeles background casting infrastructure, providing an additional channel through which productions can source background talent beyond the Central Casting system. The company has developed particular expertise in filling specific type requests — when a production needs a certain number of actors matching very precise physical descriptions, age ranges, or skill sets, Jeff Olan Casting's curated database and personal knowledge of its registered talent allows for efficient, accurate matching. The company also works well on productions that prefer working with a dedicated background casting provider rather than relying solely on the larger, more impersonal services. For actors, this means that having a Jeff Olan Casting registration can open doors to bookings that may not be available through Central Casting, particularly on productions that maintain exclusive or preferred relationships with specific background casting companies.

Actors submit their photos and information through the company's registration process, which involves providing current, unedited photographs along with accurate physical measurements, clothing sizes, and details about any special skills, unique attributes, or assets like vehicles or specialized wardrobe. The company posts specific casting calls for particular looks, types, and skills through email notifications and social media, and registered actors are encouraged to respond promptly when they match the stated requirements. Jeff Olan Casting values accuracy in submissions — actors who submit for roles they clearly do not match risk being deprioritized in future consideration. Once in the company's database, actors may also be called directly when their profile matches a production's specific request without needing to actively submit. The registration process is designed to be straightforward and accessible to actors at all experience levels.

Working through Jeff Olan Casting follows the standard background work workflow familiar to anyone who has done background in Los Angeles, with bookings confirmed via phone or email and actors receiving detailed instructions about call times, locations, wardrobe requirements, and expected duration. The company casts for both SAG-AFTRA and non-union productions, and actors can expect to work on major studio features, network and streaming television series, pilots, commercials, and other production types. Jeff Olan Casting is known for providing clear, organized booking information that helps actors prepare properly for their work day. The on-set experience is determined by the production itself, but actors booked through Jeff Olan Casting report that the casting company's coordination with production teams tends to result in smooth check-in and organized background management. Work days follow standard industry duration, typically 8 to 12 hours with applicable overtime and meal break protocols.

Jeff Olan Casting's registered talent includes a broad cross-section of Los Angeles background actors, from newcomers taking their first steps in the industry to long-time professionals who have been doing background work for years. Both SAG-AFTRA members and non-union performers are represented, and the company fills both types of positions regularly. Actors with unique or distinctive looks, period-appropriate appearances, specific skills, or uncommon physical characteristics may find particular value in the registration, as the company frequently handles requests for specialized types that require targeted searching beyond the general pool. The company's veteran background actors tend to be its most regularly booked talent, reflecting the premium that productions place on experienced, reliable performers who understand set etiquette and protocols. New actors who demonstrate professionalism from their first booking can quickly establish themselves as preferred talent within the company's roster.

Jeff Olan Casting charges no fees to actors at any stage of the registration or booking process — all services are completely free for performers. The company generates its revenue from the production side, and actors are paid directly by the production company at standard industry background rates. SAG-AFTRA background performers earn approximately $208 minimum per 8-hour day, while non-union background actors in Los Angeles typically earn between $120 and $182 per day as of 2025. All standard adjustments including overtime premiums, meal penalties, wardrobe bumps, vehicle use compensation, wet work adjustments, and other special circumstance pay apply according to industry standards and applicable union agreements. There are no hidden charges, premium tiers, or upselling of any kind — the service is genuinely free for actors.

Jeff Olan Casting is a solid supplementary registration for any Los Angeles-based background actor who wants to maximize their available booking opportunities beyond what Central Casting provides. The company is particularly worthwhile for actors with distinctive looks or specialized skills that align with the type-specific casting calls the company regularly handles. It should be viewed as one piece of a comprehensive background casting strategy that includes Central Casting as the primary registration plus several supplementary companies like Jeff Olan, Bill Dance, Sande Alessi, and Atmosphere Casting. If you are just starting out in background work, get your Central Casting registration first, then systematically add supplementary registrations including Jeff Olan Casting. Actors outside the Los Angeles area should focus their registration efforts on the dominant background casting companies in their own local market.

Treat your Jeff Olan Casting registration as you would any professional relationship — keep your information current, respond promptly to inquiries, and follow through on every commitment. When responding to specific casting calls, submit only if you genuinely match the stated requirements and include only current photos that accurately represent your appearance today. If you are booked, arrive at least 15 minutes before your call time with all specified wardrobe options clean, pressed, and ready to go. Build relationships with the assistant directors and background coordinators on every set, as these individuals often have direct input into which background casting companies they prefer to work with and which actors they want called back. Keep a professional background acting kit in your car at all times, including common wardrobe staples, comfortable shoes for standing, snacks, reading material, and a phone charger — being prepared demonstrates the professionalism that background casting companies reward with repeat bookings.