Photo Types & How We Use Them to Cast You
Full members of Uni-versal Extras can not only upload 10 photos to their profile, but also have the option to upload advanced photo types. These additional photos will help to give you a better chance of being selected, so read on for more info…
How We Use the Advanced Photos to Find You Work
When we are casting, there are a number of reasons why we might use your advanced photos to help you secure work:
– We sometimes have to cast people that own specific uniforms or have worked previously in certain styles. If you own a uniform and have a photo uploaded already, we can cast you quickly and easily for these roles. You must not upload costume photos if you do not own the costume.
– Sometimes the advanced photos can help to convey your suitability for a role, even if the production will be supplying the costume. For example if we have a photo of you for “Office Clothing”, this will be useful for our Casting Team when putting you forward for any office style roles.
“I Don’t Get It?”
OK. Let’s say as an example that we’re casting a high-end cocktail party scene. As you know from our extras casting process, we put you forward for work but the production itself makes the final decision in terms of whether they would like to book you or not. The Casting Director for the production is shown a photo of two different extras – one in plain clothing and one wearing a tuxedo. When making a quick decision, which extra do you think they would be more likely to book? Too right, it would be the person in the tuxedo, which is why role specific photos are proven to give you a better chance of securing work.
Advanced photos must still fit our basic photo criteria as per your standard images. This means that they must be taken using a high-quality digital camera, either in a Head & Shoulders or Full Body (head to toe) format. You must ensure that your features are easily visible including your hairstyle, i.e. if your costume includes a hat you should hold it rather than wear it. You must also ensure that you have a suitable background without any clutter such as light switches, door frames, picture hooks, etc.
Important things to remember:
– When uploading advanced photos, you must not upload photos unless you actually own the costume
– We will not accept photos taken on set
– When uploading outfits such as sports kits, your photos must still fit our basic criteria and should be taken especially for casting purposes. We cannot use “action” photos so please do not upload them.
Photo Type Examples
 |  |  |
| Business Suit / Office Clothing | Motorbike Leathers | Full Ethnic Cultural Outfit |
 |  |  |
| Chefs Whites | Dinner Party Tux, Ball / Cocktail Dress | Military Uniform |
 |  |  |
| Air Steward / Stewardess Uniform | Doctors Uniform | Sports Kit |
The List of Photo Types & What They Mean
| Photo Type | More Info |
|---|---|
| Air Steward / Stewardess Uniform | If you own a professional looking airhostess uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Bondage / Fetish Clothing | If you own bondage or fetish clothing, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Border Control Uniform | If you own a professional looking border control uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Bouncer Uniform | If you own a bouncer uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. This uniform could include a white shirt, black sweater, dark jacket, identification tag, security t-shirt, etc. |
| Business Suit / Office Clothing | If you have any kind of business wear or office clothing such as smart shirts, suits, skirts, blouses, etc., photograph yourself and upload the photo using this photo type. Office style photos can be used to cast you in all types of office roles. |
| Chefs Whites | If you own professional looking chef clothing, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Clown Outfit | If you work as a clown or own a clown costume, upload a photograph of you wearing your outfit and upload it using this photo type. |
| Dinner Party Tux, Ball / Cocktail Dress | If you own very smart attire such as tuxedos or cocktail dresses, photograph yourself and upload the photo using this photo type. These photos can be used to cast you in a variety of roles requiring posh looking extras. |
| Doctors Uniform | If you own a professional looking doctor’s uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Drag Queen Outfit | If you work as a drag artist, photograph yourself in costume and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Football Referee Uniform | If you own a traditional or contemporary football referee uniform, upload a photograph of you wearing your outfit using this photo type. |
| Full Ethnic Cultural Outfit | This photo type covers all forms of traditional clothing from around the world, i.e. Indian dresses, kilts, etc. |
| Glamour | If you work as a professional glamour model (where the subject is portrayed in erotic poses ranging from fully clothed to partially nude), please upload your photos using this photo type. |
| Martial Arts Outfit | If you own a martial arts outfit, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Military Uniform | If you own a professional looking military uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Motorbike Leathers | If you own motorbike leathers, photograph yourself wearing them and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Nurse Uniform | If you own a professional looking nurse uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Other Emergency Service Uniform | If you own a professional looking emergency service uniform other than those covered elsewhere in this list, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Paramedic Uniform | If you own a professional looking paramedic uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Pilots Uniform | If you own a professional looking pilot uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Police Uniform | If you own a professional police uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Postman Uniform | If you own a professional looking postman uniform, photograph yourself wearing it and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Religious Clothing | If you own religious clothing, i.e. as indicated in the “Section 7: Wardrobe” area of your profile, please photograph yourself wearing your outfits and upload them using this photo type. |
| Sports Kit | If you own any kind of sports kit, from jogging to gym wear to specific sports kits, please photograph yourself and upload the photo using this photo type. |
| Swimwear / Underwear | If you would be comfortable working in your swimwear or underwear, you have the option to upload a photo of you to your profile using this photo type if you want to. This photo type is very versatile, i.e. it could be used to cast you in a beach scene, a changing room scene, a spa scene, etc. |
| Top Hat & Tails / Wedding Dress | If you own wedding attire, i.e. top hat and tails for men or wedding dresses for women, please photograph yourself and upload the photo to your profile using this photo type. |
| Unkempt (Hair & Makeup Not Done) | Often when casting we need photos of people without their hair and makeup done. This photo should be uploaded in the Standard Head & Shoulder format unless otherwise requested. Doing this will give you a better chance of securing work because it means that we will be able to put you forward for a wider variety of roles. |
| Requested by Casting Team | If we contact you directly regarding a casting and ask you to upload a specific photo to your profile, you can use this photo type to upload the temporary photo. You should not upload any photos under this photo type unless we directly ask you to do so. |