Having joined this company this year even after a friend of mine warned me against it. I have not had any work from this company compared to other agencies I will not recommend this company in getting... Toon meer
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Lees wat reviewers zeggen
New to the “extras” scene and simply bowled over by the team at UniversalExtras. Brilliant comms, help and advice, quick responses. Thank you for making the journey to TV and Film easy and enjoyable... Toon meer
Bedrijf heeft geantwoord
Everything was well organised, from arriving to getting into costume and makeup and transportation to the film set. We knew what was required from us, and we had a lovely time despite Swansea's hot we... Toon meer
Bedrijf heeft geantwoord
From arrival to departure, I was in the Rapture of the whole experience, as it was full on. As an SA it was actually brilliant to be rehearsing chants in morning to rehearsals after lunch an... Toon meer
Bedrijf heeft geantwoord
Bedrijfsgegevens
Geschreven door het bedrijf
Uni-versal Extras is a professional casting agency based at Pinewood Studios that specialises in supplying high-quality background Artistes for TV, Film and Commercial productions.
Contactgegevens
Verenigd Koninkrijk
- www.universalextras.co.uk
4,3
Uitstekend
210 reviews
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They take your money, that's it
They take your money, mark you as being in "Priority Queue", and then don't return calls or emails when you query why it takes 3 WEEKS instead of the promised 2 days to approve your profile photos. In that time you can't browse their jobboard either. What a waste.
9 augustus 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Simon,
I’m sorry to hear that you feel this way.
If you are having any issues with anything, including your photo approval, it’s always best to give us a call. Our phone lines are monitored throughout office hours. I apologise if you feel that we didn’t return your call, this is something we do aim to avoid at all costs.
If you are still having problems with getting your photos approved or need any further assistance with anything, please contact our Artist Support team on 0345 0030 344 who can resolve the matter for you straight away.
Kind Regards,
UVE Team
Cheating with subscription
This casting agency is basically cheating their employees. They contact non active members to book them for the role and then they tell you a that you have to they deduct £60 from your salary because you have already been booked! They don’t tell you that beforehand and then they say it’s in Terms and Conditions and it’s your fault because you didn’t ask for it when you got booked. Do yourself a favour and avoid this agency.
3 augustus 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi there,
We’re sorry that you feel this way.
Unfortunately, as you’ve posted your review under a username, I am unable to find you on our books, therefore I cannot comment on your specific situation. However, I will be more than happy to explain our listing fees further and provide some clarification.
To become an activated member, SAs are required to pay a listing fee. If you remain unactivated, and therefore decide not to pay the listing fee, you may still be cast in a role. In this case, the full listing fee will be deducted from your first wages if you obtain a role whilst under unactivated status. From then on, you will remain activated for an entire year with the option to renew at a reduce rate after this period. This information is in our Terms and Conditions as you mentioned.
When a Supporting Artist registers with Uni-versal Extras, they are given the option to pay the listing fee upfront at a reduced rate. These savings are clearly displayed during this process.
In terms of our casting process, our Casting Team look for people purely based on the role criteria provided by productions. If we cannot find an activated member who fills these criteria, we then check our unactivated database for availability.
I’m saddened to hear that you feel you were kept in the dark regarding our listing fees, please note that this wasn’t our intention. We do aim to keep Extras fully informed regarding both our listing fees and our casting process through resources such as our blog section and Welcome Pack. If you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact our Support Team on 0345 0090 344.
Kind regards,
UVE Team
For me, a disappointing exercise.
I haven't had the opportunity to find out if Universal Extras is a good enterprise to work for because I never meet the brief, lacking qualities and qualifications required for many roles:
I'm not one of identical twins of Russian extraction, or Polish speaking, of Asian or West Indian background, "Suitable for females 20-30 who have easy access to Bawdsey" .. I'm 63, female, white, tubby, (UE have my measurements and photographs as required in their registration) and live in Hampshire. Being ready to travel reasonable distances (eg < 200 miles) cuts no mustard.
In the 18 months since I joined, if I applied for something on the Jobs Board I was informed I was 'automatically considered' as they have my details. In those 18 months I've received only two communications (by text) saying I have been 'identified as suitable for parts', and to 'reply only if available for filming on specified dates'.
Replying yes to everything and awaiting further orders, heard no more.
I thought being an extra would be fun but it's been a disappointment. I shall allow my membership to expire quietly.
7 juli 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi there,
I’m sorry that you are feeling dissatisfied with our service.
Being a casting agency, we receive many roles through our doors. However, these roles do depend on factors such as location, costume measurements and availability that are determined by productions. Our Jobs Board does prove effective in our successful casting process, and we have received great feedback from our artistes regarding the platform.
We do try to keep a wide range of roles on our Jobs Boards. Sometimes we do post more specific roles on our Jobs Board based on location, special skills and any other requirements productions may need. However, we do aim to post a variety of roles, including broader roles that may suit a wider range of people.
Unfortunately, elements such as where a production is based and the criteria of a role is entirely out of our control. It’s also worth noting that due to COVID restrictions, more productions are keen to source extras that are local to the filming location. However, we do receive new roles on a regular basis. Therefore, if you feel that there is a lack of roles that suit you at present, I would urge you to bear with us; new roles are added to the Jobs Boards every week.
Currently, we are only able to respond to successful applicants who applied for a role on the Jobs Board. However, we do aim to contact suitable artists directly when new roles come in that they meet the criteria for, therefore it’s important that you continue to keep your profile and contact information up-to-date.
I’m sorry to hear that you are thinking about not renewing with UVE. Our number one aim as an agency is to secure all of our artists work, but sadly that all comes down to the requirements that productions provide us. If you would like to discuss your membership with UVE further, please contact our support team on 0345 0090 344 and we would be more than happy to assist.
Kind regards,
UVE Team
NO WORK…
With this company for a year and no work whatsoever. Never contacted by anyone. This was before covid so no excuses there.
Safe your cash you won't get work from these guys
15 juni 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Chris,
We are sorry to hear that you were dissatisfied with our service.
At Uni-versal Extras, we aim to provide all of our artists with work; it’s our main objective as an agency. When we receive a role, we select extras from our books that best match the role criteria, which is set by production. Unfortunately, factors such as location and costume measurements normally determine which artists are most suitable for a role.
We would love to put all of our extras forward for roles, but sadly this is not always possible on a regular basis due to factors that are out of our control.
I was unable to find your profile on our system, so it’s unclear if you are still registered with UVE or not. If you are still a registered artist, or would like to reconsider reactivating your profile, I would recommend applying for roles via our Jobs Board. Our Jobs Boards is updated on a weekly basis and is available to all activated extras. It hosts a wide variety of roles which you are more than welcome to apply for if you are suitable. In the meantime, we do contact our artists if there are any roles that we feel they are suitable for.
If you would like to discuss the matter further, please use the Contact Form at www.universalextras.co.uk or give us a call on 0345 0090 344 and we would be happy to help.
Kind Regards,
UVE Team
I agree with many of the posters here
I agree with many of the posters here. The main aim, and the business model, of Universal Extras is to farm the Extra for book fees. I also work through a number of other agencies so I can make a comparison.
For a number of years I got a little work with UE. Most years it was just one day resulting in about £6 to £30 paid to me, on which I had to pay tax and, of course pay my travel costs. Meanwhile UE pocketed over £100. At the start of another registration year I made it clear that this was unacceptable to me and I would only accept jobs of three days minimum. Miraculously, the next job was for three days. I accepted and was 'confirmed'. After a few days and just before my booked days this was reduced to one day confirmed and two days 'pencilled'. These pencilled days were then cancelled. A member of the crew confirmed there never had been a second or third day. The set was broken down as we were filming the last couple of outdoor scenes. An obvious scam ruse. It was the only day II worked that year so I took home £12 less tax and travel (over £12).
The following year I was informed my registration was expiring and would I like to pay in advance to reduce fees. I was also told this would tend to attract more bookings. I agreed and paid four years up front. Since then I have had no work through UE (but regular jobs through other agencies, so I can't be unacceptable) although I still get an availability check around the anniversary of my renewal date. I assume the person who manages this bit of the business just sends these out to encourage renewal payments or to get the one day per year booking to 'farm' the fees. I don't even get that booking because I have already paid up front.
I apply for jobs on the website, I call regularly, I update my details and measurements. I do try to update my photos but there are huge delays and photos which comply with their guidelines are rejected. This has become a joke. A friend used this as a teaching aid for photography students as an example of poor practice in the relationship between professional photographers and 'the industry'.
I would say that I choose to never work for this agency again but I seem to have achieved this by paying up front. I keep up my part of the bargain just to see if they achieve the whole four years without a booking and to see if they have the nerve to send out a reminder and invite me to renew. I'm sure they will; and I'm sure I wont..
12 mei 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Matt,
Unfortunately, we were unable to find any users registered with your name in our records. We therefore cannot provide specific feedback, but I will try to answer the points in your review more generally.
We have always charged a Listing Fee for non-students (full time students register for free) to cover the costs of hosting your details on our service. It sounds like you obtained work without paying a Listing Fee, which is why one was deducted from your first payment in line with our standard terms that you agreed to. The Listing Fee will not be deducted again during your listing period.
The film and TV industry is often subject to change as filming schedules are rearranged at short notice due to weather, cast issues, etc. We do our best to keep all of our artistes up-to-date with these changes as soon as we are made aware of them. As a company that works based on commission, there is no advantage to us, or our artistes, in cancelling or moving dates. Unfortunately, this is currently a part of the makeup of this type of work and something we are working hard to change.
I can categorically state that we do not offer people work based on their profile expiry. If you are contacted for work around when you are due to expire, this is 100% a coincidence. I can also confirm that we never check artistes for roles and dates unless a client has asked us to do so. Just because someone is working on the set, that does not necessarily mean they understand how the casting director is booking and arranging the supporting artistes for that production.
When it comes to photos, they are one of the most important aspects when it comes to securing work. All photos are moderated manually, and if unsuitable, individual feedback is provided for each photo, which is why this can sometimes take time. We also provide a lot of help and guidance via our blog to support our artistes.
Again, please consider contacting us with more detailed information, and we will be happy to review your profile to suggest improvements and review the experience you have outlined more closely. To do so, please use the Contact Form at www.universalextras.co.uk or call 0345 0090 344.
Kind regards,
UVE Team
Great Agency to Work Through
Great Agency to work with. I was booked for a few weeks on a recent production but was only needed for one day. However, this was entirely down to the production and not this agency and is the way this industry works....you need to be on standby but might not be used. Payment was made in full in very good time and everyone I spoke with from the team were super efficient, friendly and kept me updated at all times. An absolute pleasure to work with and I look forward to many more call ups!
29 maart 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Darren. That's great to hear - thanks for the feedback! We look forward to working with you again soon. UVE Team
Customer service is super helpful
Customer service is super helpful. I had to change my profile from a student to a normal profile. It was so smooth and clear. The lady was super helpful and really did take the time to make sure everything was all sorted. I am impressed that she took the time to talk to me and didnt feel like I was just another candidate so thank you for that!
18 maart 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Thank you for your feedback. We look forward to working with you soon! UVE Team
Great!
This is by far the best agency in the game, once you're booked you're booked, people are super nice and polite, the only negative aspect is I would like to get cast more often but I understand that's not up to them but the Casting Director. Go and sign up now fam!
24 februari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Thanks for your feedback! UVE Team
Constantly messed about
Constantly messed about. Was confirmed as “booked” for a job yesterday and received a text today saying due to “filming issues” I wasn’t needed. I received the same text on another production last year after already travelling to the costume fitting in Manchester. Was also confirmed for filming on a large movie last year, attended costume fitting in Liverpool, and due to covid the shoot dates were cancelled - that was out of their hands of course - but was text to let me know when they rescheduled they would be back in touch with the new dates, which never happened and have since seen that the filming has been done for the scene I was booked on.
I understand that with production things can change, but when confirmed as booked, I take that as an agreement. I’ve lost money on travel, on days booked off work, as well as time wasted.
The word “booked” shouldn’t be used until everything is confirmed at all ends. Even then, things can change from productions end that is out of Universal’s hands, but this is now three productions I’ve been “booked” for to then be messed around, so it’s seeming more like bad organisation than production issues.
17 februari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Alexander,
I have been investigating your comments internally to better understand the situation.
When a production comes to us with a requirement, we then check our artistes to determine who is suitable and available. The production always makes the final decision whether to book you or not, and on this recent occasion you were confirmed and booked by the production. Unfortunately before the shoot, the number of supporting artistes was cut down and we were informed that you and some other artistes were no longer required. We notified you as soon as we became aware of the situation.
To be clear, when this happens it is not only disappointing for you as the artiste, but also us as the agency. We work based on commission so ideally want all of our artistes on set. The industry has always been rather 'last minute', but Covid has also not helped this with numbers reduced and days being switched around more often as schedules are reorganised in the ever changing landscape.
I can confirm that the major production shoot you refer to, all filming was put on hold when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Productions have had to adapt which has again meant reducing the number of artistes on set and changing filming schedules.
Again we understand your disappointment, and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. Our team are working hard behind the scenes alongside the productions to reduce these kinds of issues in future.
Kind regards,
UVE Team
I was paid £0.94 for 13 hours
I was paid £0.94 for 13 hours. You read that right. 94p. 13 hours. Outside in October doing work in Manchester for what turned out to be ‘Its A Sin’ on TV. I was later ill from being outside in just a frilly shirt and an old leather jacket. 13hrs for 94p. £121.35 Was supposed to be payable before their cut. Their cut left me with 94p out of £121.35. It cost me more to get the Uber there. What a joke. It’s actually criminal. Don’t use them. Scam? Slavery? You decide.
26 januari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Jarra.
I have looked into the situation here, which relates to a multi-day TV job you secured with us in 2019.
Firstly, you were removed completely from our books after your first day on set because you pulled out of filming for what was a multi-day assignment. As a casting agency we check our artistes thoroughly to ensure that you understand what is involved with a role, are available and meet the requirements. If you refuse to complete an assignment without fair reason, you will be removed from our books and incur additional fees.
Artistes that are unreliable cause disruption to production schedules where extras have been booked for multiple days to ensure continuity. This also means Uni-versal Extras has to spend time and resource finding a replacement, which can be more complicated after you have filmed if we need to find a lookalike for you.
In relation to the fees incurred, given you did not pay an upfront Listing Fee to join Uni-versal Extras, this was always due to be deducted from your first payment as per our Standard T&Cs (https://www.universalextras.co.uk/files/8015/4033/5052/Extras-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf). This is a one-off fee for the listing period. Full-time students register for free.
Furthermore, despite multiple notifications, you failed to provide payment details for several months after the assignment so we were unable to pay you for the day you did complete. This incurred charge 5.4 as per our T&Cs (https://www.universalextras.co.uk/files/8015/4033/5052/Extras-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf).
If you require more information, please visit www.universalextras.co.uk and contact us via our Contact Form.
Kind regards,
Uni-versal Extras Team
Universal Extras is a good company
I have been accompanied by Vicky from Universal Extras as my direct contact for a job lasting several months, and she has been professional, hardworking, good-humoured and courteous. It is my first job with Universal Extras and they are reliable payers, no hidden fees as suggested in some comments below. The only mistake they are still making is not to pester extras who are satisfied with their agency to submit positive reviews.
21 januari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Bee. Thanks for your review! Uni-versal Extras Team
DO NOT USE THEM! SCAM!
DO NOT USE. THEY WILL CHARGE HIDDEN FEES. So if you think you're getting £140 for a job, you will only be left with £40 for a 10hr day!!!! I recently signed up because of losing my job during covid. I have used other casting agencies and have never been treated so badly by their customer service representatives. After confronting them about their negligence to tell me about the addition fees on top of their 16%, the representative on the phone was extremely rude to me! Saying that I had agreed to the fees by accepting the job. Keep in mind I had asked them before accepting the job exactly how much I would be getting after their fees were taken out. GOOD AGENCIES DO NOT CHARGE PROFILE FEES! SCAM!!!
19 januari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Mel.
I am sorry that you were dissatisfied with our service after securing your first job.
However I do disagree at your suggestion that our fees are hidden. We are an agency and rely on commission to run as a business, as per our T&Cs. We have always charged a Listing Fee for non-students (full time students register for free) to cover the costs of hosting your details on our service.
For example, the Listing Fee is clearly explained in -
• Our T&Cs which you must accept before registering: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/terms-conditions/
• Our Welcome Pack which is sent to every artiste after registration: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/download_file/1417
• On the Money page: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/extras/money/
• As part of our registration process as after uploading profile photos, all non-students will be taken to a payment page to complete their listing.
You are subject to our standard terms that you agreed to, which includes having the Listing Fee deducted from your first payment if you do not complete your listing in advance. Given you obtained work without paying a Listing Fee, this was deducted from your first payment. The Listing Fee will not be deducted again during your listing period.
We apologise if you feel our customer service did not meet our own high expectations. If you could provide more details of your experience to us via our Contact Form at www.universalextras.co.uk that would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Uni-versal Extras Team
Good company, well paid long jobs
Good company, often get booked for long periods of time. No issues
14 januari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Thanks for your review! Uni-versal Extras Team
Great company who work really hard for their extras
I've worked with this company a few times. Each time the staff have been informative and helpful. I've never had any issues with them. I'm a member of a few agencies and they all have moments where they cancel at short notice - that's part of the job! Besides it's the production cancelling not the agency, they don't get paid if we get cancelled so it's not in their best interest to do that. Anyway, I have no issues with them, they offer me work, check my availability thoroughly and pay in a timely manner that I'd expect. Not to mention they work right through into the night and through weekends so I can always get hold of someone in case of emergency.
Also I wanted to add that when a representative of Universal extras sat down with the union last year he told them that they are constantly fighting on behalf of the extras for higher rates and that they actually refuse low paid jobs for extras, I'm glad they fight for who they represent.
13 januari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Thanks for your review! Uni-versal Extras Team
Legally&Morally questionable. Promised £150, payed £40.
This company very clearly scam people out of their money. After 3 years ( several months of which involved waiting for them to accept or reject my pictures) with them I was finally offered a job. Upon arriving, and being taken to hair and make up, I was lambasted for not looking the way they wished me to- despite arriving exactly as instructed to. Wardrobe also embarrassed and ridiculed me for not bringing suitable clothing options.I was specifically instructed to wear tweed, which production staff informed me was entirely unacceptable for any extra to wear as it A. draws too much attention B. doesn't present well on screen. I had a large bag full of 5 different outfits that fit the description UE gave me. It turns out I was to play an entirely different role, for which I was clearly not prepared. Having not been told to dress up warm, I sat in a WINDY and WET carpark OUTSIDE FOR 6 HOURS with NO FOOD OR DRINK AVAILABLE, despite being told not to bring food as it would be provided.
After nearly freezing to death and being shouted at by crew for not being dressed how they wanted me to be I made the 25 minute drive home.
I was told I would be payed £150 and was instead payed £40!!!! I may add that I was payed 4 months after I worked.
When contacted, both the payroll and casting ladies had as much charm collectively as a dog's $hitty ar$e. They were neither helpful nor sympathetic. Do not be fooled...The numerous shocking reviews here speak for themselves. As someone who now works in the TV industry, rest assured, all major production companies shall be informed of UE's misconduct and advised against using these crooks.
8 januari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Laura,
I have been investigating the details of your review. Given we do not have your full name, it has been difficult to identify which assignment you are referring to here. I am therefore going to answer your points in more general terms, and would urge you to call us on 0345 0090 344 with full details so that we can look into this matter for you.
In relation to photos, all images are moderated individually by our team and must meet our criteria prior to you being accepted as an artiste with UVE. Photos are the most important aspect when it comes to securing you work as a supporting artiste, which is why we take this so seriously. Images that meet our criteria (explained on our website and in our Welcome Pack), are normally accepted in a matter of days. Unsuitable images may take longer as we give individual feedback for every image uploaded if it does not meet our criteria.
In terms of your comments about tweed, we have one recent production where artistes were asked to wear tweed:
"Please arrive wearing smart casual clothing: Suits, shirts, ties, overcoats, jumpers, smart casual jackets, shoes, boots. Production prefers autumnal colours; greens, browns, tweeds, oranges, yellows, reds etc. Exterior so bring choices of jackets/coats especially. Please wear your first option and bring at least a few more outfit options (different colours preferred)."
We provide costume instructions based on the production's guidance. As an agency we cannot control the way production companies and their staff run the production. However the allegation of being made to feel 'embarrassed and ridiculed' is serious and would have been raised with the production had you provided this information at the time. We cannot find any reference to this, other than here on Trust Pilot, where it appears that you are commenting four months after completing the job. UVE has a 24-hour line specifically to deal with artiste issues and queries.
In terms of it being a cold and wet day, the message sent mentioning 'tweed' (assuming this was the assignment you were on) also clearly states that the shoot is exterior and recommends you bring a choice of jackets/coats. It would therefore appear we did indicate that the shoot was outdoors and that you should bring suitable clothing.
Again in relation to food and drink, if you believe the terms of an assignment are not being met, you should always contact UVE immediately so that we can look into and resolve this for you. It is unusual for food not to be provided, and where catering issues occur artistes are normally well compensated or alternative arrangements made.
With your payment, again it is difficult to comment without knowing your exact details. All payments are subject to our standard T&Cs which can be found here: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/terms-conditions/. Please contact our payroll department for more information and we will be happy to look into this for you.
Kind regards,
Uni-versal Extras Team
Disgusting behaviour and a variety of…
Disgusting behaviour and a variety of hidden charges.
After spending 10 hours on set, in the cold and with no food offered, I was payed £40, after being promised £125.
They force you to pay an agency fee, as well as a listing fee and VAT. Still do not understand why I had to pay that.
The company doesn’t prepare you for those fees.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS AND DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE FAKE REVIEWS.
7 januari 2021
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Joseph.
I am sorry that you were dissatisfied with our service after sercuring your first job.
However I do disagree at your suggestion that our fees are hidden. We are an agency and rely on commission to run as a business, as per our T&Cs. We have always charged a Listing Fee for non-students (full time students register for free) to cover the costs of hosting your details on our service.
For example, the Listing Fee is clearly explained in -
• Our T&Cs which you must accept before registering: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/terms-conditions/
• Our Welcome Pack which is sent to every artiste after registration: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/download_file/1417
• On the Money page: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/extras/money/
• As part of our registration process as after uploading profile photos, all non-students will be taken to a payment page to complete their listing.
Given you obtained work without paying a Listing Fee, this was deducted from your first payment. The Listing Fee will not be deducted again during your listing period.
Kind regards,
Uni-versal Extras Team
I had a great experience with UE
I had a great experience with UE. Joined a few years ago, ready to renew this year after several fun jobs with them. Pay can take a little while to come through, but that's normal for any agency based-job in any industry as it depends when the third-party pays up.
23 december 2020
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Thanks for the review! Uni-versal Extras Team
HEALTH WARNING - Please keep away for your own sanity, giant ponzi scheme...
Please please keep away from universal extras as they are glorified ponzi scheme, meaning that they take your money as the book fee and then don't deliver on jobs. The owner is self publicist who's key focus is to make money for himself by under cutting all the other agencies in the market. They might say that you are booked for a number of days and put these days in your online calendar and say your booked and the cancel you with very little notice. There are much better agencies where you don't have to pay any upfront fees .. keep away and be warned of the Wayne and his team. I really wish that film production companies, AD's would stop using them as they promise a lot but dont deliver, just like the owner of the business.
I have read the response from universal extras and it is a total lie, they undercut on productions, they book artists for jobs which don't happen or materialise. PLEASE KEEP AWAY AND SAVE YOUR MONEY AND YOUR SANITY. DO NOT USE.
Again, I have read the standardised response from universal extras and again it is not true. Please use another agency where you don't have to pay a upfront fee and when you get booked for a job it happens. Universal multi book artists to cover themselves with larger productions for people that might drop out. It always favours universal than the artists I just wish they would tell the truth rather than cloud this over. please, please, please do not use. Keep away and use another agency instead.
9 november 2020
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Matthew,
I am sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with our service.
Uni-versal Extras is a genuine company with over a decade's worth of experience. Our head office is based in the heart of the film industry at Pinewood Studios, and the company has hundreds of verified credits: https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?companies=co0389932
We are clear in our T&Cs that we cannot guarantee work to artistes (https://www.universalextras.co.uk/terms-conditions/). This is because we act as an agency on behalf of our entertainment clients who always make the final decision as to whether they would like to book you or not.
When we check our artistes for job opportunites, we do so on behalf of the production companies that we work for. Uni-versal Extras work based on commission, so it is in our interests for artistes to secure and complete assignments. There is absolutely no benefit to Uni-versal Extras spending time casting and checking availability of artistes without them arriving on set.
Unfortunately due to the nature of the film industry, especially within the current climate caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, filming schedules have been subject to change more than normal. I can assure you that our team has been doing everything we can to provide the best service possible under these circumstances.
Kind regards,
Uni-versal Extras Team
11/01/21 - Additional comment following Matthew's updated review:
Productions choose the pay schemes they use, which are generally based on union agreements such as the FAA, PACT and BBC Equity rates. These are set rates that productions adhere to, irrespective of the extras agencies that they work with. More details about industry pay schemes can be found here: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/extras/money/. Also, the pay scheme being used is always explained to artistes prior to them being put forward, at which point the artiste can choose if they would like to accept the role or not.
As previously stated, the production always makes the final decision as to whether they would like to book an artiste or not, which is why we cannot guarantee work. There is absolutely no benefit to Uni-versal Extras spending time casting and checking availability of artistes without them arriving on set.
DISSAPOINTED
DISSAPOINTED. I had been a member of Universal Extras for about 8 years, and in that time only had a handful of jobs with them. Despite that, the jobs themselves were good, and I enjoyed them, but recently, its the staff and customer service that has let the company down. My profile was removed today by staff who had been calling and texting me non stop to confirm my call time for a job starting the next day: a job that they had told me only a week before I had been unsuccessful for. I told them I can't do it at such short notice, as I of course now have other work commitments, and explained they told me previously that I had been unsuccessful for this job anyway. They immediately removed my profile from their website.
Its unacceptable. As a reliable member I should not be treated this way due to staff incompetence. I wouldn't work for them again.
Its a common theme with universal extras; you get a message for a job, you reply saying you are available, then you get a message back saying you've been unsuccessful (so don't make any arrangements to attend). A day or two before that same job you then get non stop messages and calls to confirm an offer for it. You are expected to drop everything for them at the last minute, or it seems you will be removed, like me.
11 oktober 2020
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
This review appears to have been submitted under a false name, so unfortunately, we cannot investigate your claims in detail.
However from what you have described, it sounds like we initially contacted you to check your availability for a role and you then confirmed that you were available. At this point we would put you forward to the production, and expect you to hold the dates whilst the they decided whether to book you or not. On this occasion you were selected, but when we called to confirm that you had been booked, you informed us you were no longer available. This would have been the reason you were removed from our books because when you confirm your availability, we expect you to retain the dates and notify us of any changes to your availability.
If you received an 'unsuccessful' message, this may have been for a separate role you were awaiting results for, which could potentially have caused the confusion if you had accepted multiple roles on the same production.
Please contact us via our website with more information if you wish us to review the circumstances in more detail?
Kind regards,
UVE Team
Utterly useless company that beggars…
Utterly useless company that beggars belief they are still in business!
I have been with them for around 3 years and had 1 Job-that is all. I have been 'pencilled in' for jobs but they never come to fruition.
THE SINGULAR MOST ANNOYING THING: Is the utter incompetence by the staff. They seem to think we extras have nothing else to do in the world other than to wait for a call from them to verify a job and this could be up to 24hrs before the job is supposed to start! They expect you to drop everything and go at their behest.
OR...The other infuriating fact is; it is left up to the extra to keep contacting them to find out if you have the job or not...When you do eventually get through they have no idea who you are-nor care-and just fob you off with something like 'you'll get a text by the end of the day to say if you have the job or not' THAT NEVER HAPPENS-so you have to call them again....Wait on a phone line to be asked your name 3 times by the same person and then still get nowhwere.
How this company still makes a living is beyond me-or is it becasue there are a lot of desperate people out there and they just love to exploit this..?
One word: USELESS.
(It won't make any difference if they read this review-which I doubt-and then not give me any roles....as they already don't give me any roles so I loose nothing-just the £30 sig-up fee....RIP OFF).
17 augustus 2020
Review zonder uitnodiging
Antwoord van Uni-versal Extras
Hi Nat,
We are sorry that you are dissatisfied with our service.
Our aim is to secure all of our artistes regular opportunities. If you have been 'penciled in' that means our team has been matching you with suitable roles and putting you forward to the production for consideration. Unfortunately they always have the final say as to whether they would like to book you or not, which is why we cannot guarantee work and why roles we check our artistes for do not always come to fruition. I assume you that we too would prefer you to always be booked!
The global pandemic has also made working practices more complicated, i.e. with staff working from home, etc. We have done our best to maintain a high-level of service during this time, but can understand your frustration waiting for results.
It appears that you are still an active member with us until 2023, so we look forward to working with you again soon.
Kind regards,
Uni-versal Extras
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