Sylvia Fay Casting
A legendary New York background casting director with decades of industry experience.
Overview
Sylvia Fay Casting is one of the most storied names in New York City background casting, operated by Sylvia Fay, who is widely regarded as a legendary figure in the field with a career spanning several decades in the New York entertainment industry. The company has provided background actors for an extraordinary number of major film and television productions that have shot in New York over the years, building a reputation that commands deep respect from production companies, assistant directors, and the New York acting community alike. Sylvia Fay is personally known for her encyclopedic knowledge of her talent roster and her ability to match the right faces with the right productions, a skill that comes only from decades of hands-on experience in the business. The company occupies a unique position in the New York background casting landscape as a more personal, relationship-driven operation compared to the larger-scale approach of GWC NYC. For many veteran New York background actors, a Sylvia Fay Casting registration carries a certain prestige that reflects the company's history and the respect its founder commands in the industry.
Sylvia Fay Casting functions as one of the most important supplementary background casting companies in the New York market, providing productions with an additional source of quality background talent beyond what GWC NYC supplies. The company has particularly strong relationships with certain productions and directors who specifically request Sylvia Fay's involvement in their background casting, reflecting the personal trust that has been built over many years of consistent, quality work. Unlike some background casting companies that operate primarily through automated systems, Sylvia Fay Casting retains a more personal approach where the casting team's direct knowledge of their registered actors plays a significant role in the matching process. This means that actors who make a positive impression and demonstrate reliability may find themselves being specifically requested for desirable bookings. The company works across the full spectrum of New York productions, from prestige HBO and Netflix series to major theatrical features and independent films that value authenticity in their background casting.
How It Works
Actors can register with Sylvia Fay Casting by submitting their information and photos through the company's website and social media channels, following the posted instructions for new talent registration. The company requires current, accurate photographs that genuinely represent your appearance, along with standard physical measurements, clothing sizes, and details about any special skills, unique attributes, or assets. Sylvia Fay Casting also posts specific casting calls on social media for particular looks, types, and demographics, and actors can submit directly for these opportunities whether or not they are already in the general database. The registration process emphasizes the importance of honesty and accuracy — the company's reputation depends on sending productions exactly the type of person they have requested, so misrepresenting your appearance or attributes works against you. Once registered, actors may be contacted via email or phone when their profile matches a production's background needs.
Working through Sylvia Fay Casting follows the standard New York background work process, with booked actors receiving call times, location information, wardrobe requirements, and production details prior to the work date. The company handles both SAG-AFTRA and non-union background positions across a wide range of production types active in the New York market. What actors frequently note about Sylvia Fay Casting bookings is the personal touch — the company often provides more context about the production and what is expected, and actors report feeling like they are being sent to productions where they genuinely fit rather than being used to fill generic quota numbers. The on-set experience depends on the specific production, but Sylvia Fay Casting's long relationships with New York's production community mean that the coordination between the casting company and the set's background management team is typically smooth. Standard work days range from 8 to 12 hours with all applicable union and industry protocols observed.
Who Uses It
Sylvia Fay Casting's registered talent includes a diverse cross-section of New York's background acting community, from long-time professionals who have been working in the city's entertainment industry for decades to newer actors building their resume and on-set experience. Both SAG-AFTRA members and non-union performers are represented, and the company books both types regularly depending on the production's needs and budget. Actors with distinctive looks, strong period-appropriate appearances, or specific demographic profiles may find particular value in this registration, as Sylvia Fay's personal knowledge of her roster allows her to make targeted recommendations to productions seeking specific types. The company has a loyal following among veteran New York background actors who appreciate the personal relationships and respect that characterize their experience with the company. For newer actors, Sylvia Fay Casting offers a more approachable introduction to professional background work compared to the scale and impersonality of GWC.
Pricing & Plans
Sylvia Fay Casting charges no fees to actors at any point — registration is free, there are no membership dues or subscription charges, and there are no hidden costs associated with being considered for or booked in roles. The company generates its revenue from the production side of the business. Background actors are compensated by the production at standard industry rates, with SAG-AFTRA background performers earning approximately $208 minimum per 8-hour day and non-union performers in the New York market typically earning between $143 and $187 per day as of 2025. All standard adjustments for overtime, meal penalties, wardrobe bumps, and special conditions apply according to industry standards and applicable union agreements. The free-to-register model means there is absolutely no financial risk to adding Sylvia Fay Casting to your background casting portfolio.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Sylvia Fay Casting's decades of industry experience and legendary reputation translate into access to a network of production relationships that few other background casting companies in New York can match. The personal, relationship-driven approach means that reliable actors can develop genuine working rapport with the casting team, leading to preferential consideration for desirable bookings and recurring work. Registration is completely free, and the company's prestige adds credibility to an actor's professional background in the New York market. The more selective and curated approach to talent matching often results in better-fitting bookings where actors feel their specific look and attributes are genuinely valued. The company provides a more human, less bureaucratic experience compared to larger operations, which many actors find significantly more pleasant and motivating.
What Could Be Better
Sylvia Fay Casting handles a smaller volume of bookings than GWC NYC, and actors should not expect this registration alone to provide sufficient background work to constitute a primary income source. The company's more traditional communication methods may feel less convenient to actors accustomed to app-based booking systems and instant notifications. Building the trust and track record needed to become a preferred actor in Sylvia Fay Casting's rotation takes time and consistent positive impressions, meaning new registrants should be patient. The company's focus on the New York market means it provides no value to actors outside the NYC metropolitan area. Some actors may find the more personal approach intimidating or unfamiliar if they are used to the anonymity of larger casting company systems.
Our Recommendation
Every New York-based background actor should register with Sylvia Fay Casting as a supplement to their essential GWC NYC registration. The company is particularly valuable for actors who appreciate a more personal casting experience and who are willing to invest in building a professional relationship with the casting team over time. If you have a distinctive look, strong character face, or period-appropriate appearance, Sylvia Fay Casting may provide opportunities that particularly leverage those attributes. New actors should start with GWC as their primary registration and add Sylvia Fay Casting as one of their first supplementary registrations. If you are outside the New York market, focus on your local dominant background casting companies rather than registering with NYC-specific services.
Pro Tips
When registering with Sylvia Fay Casting, put extra care into your photos — the personal approach of this company means your images will actually be reviewed by humans who are forming an impression of you, not just being processed through an automated matching system. Follow the company's social media accounts closely and respond to specific casting calls promptly, as these targeted postings are often your best opportunity to get booked, especially as a newer registrant. When you do get booked through Sylvia Fay Casting, treat the opportunity as an audition for future bookings — your professionalism, punctuality, and attitude will be noticed and remembered. If you have a genuinely unique or distinctive look, make sure your registration highlights this, as the company's personal knowledge of its talent allows it to specifically recommend people with unusual characteristics for productions seeking those attributes. Build a strong working wardrobe appropriate for a range of New York settings, and always have season-appropriate outerwear ready, as New York background work frequently involves exterior locations in all weather conditions.