What is a Film Cast?
Overview
What Is the Cast of a Film?
The cast is everyone who performs on screen: the principal actors, supporting actors, day players with a few lines, stunt performers and background performers. The crew is everyone behind the camera, and credits list the two groups separately.
Cast vs. Crew
Cast perform; crew make the production happen. The two are hired, paid and budgeted differently: cast are booked by the casting director and, on union productions, paid under SAG-AFTRA agreements, while crew are hired by department heads under IATSE, Teamsters and other agreements.
Role & Responsibilities
Types of Cast on a Production
- Principal and supporting performers: the named roles, usually booked by the week or for the run of the show.
- Day performers (day players): smaller speaking roles booked for individual days.
- Stunt performers: performers who execute action under a stunt coordinator.
- Background actors: non-speaking performers who populate scenes.
Salary Guide
SAG-AFTRA Minimums (July 2026 to June 2027)
Under the 2026-30 SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical agreement, the minimums from July 1, 2026 are $1,283 per day for a day performer, $4,456 per week for a weekly performer and $231 per day for a background actor. They rise to $1,321, $4,590 and $238 on July 1, 2027. See our guide on how to pay actors and the SAG-AFTRA rates guide for fringes and how to budget them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cast and crew?
Cast are the people who perform on screen, from lead actors to background performers. Crew are the people who make the production behind the camera, from the director of photography to the production assistants.
What are cast members in a movie?
Cast members are all the performers in a film or show: principal and supporting actors, day performers, stunt performers and background actors.
How much do cast members get paid?
On a SAG-AFTRA TV or theatrical production from July 1, 2026, the minimum is $1,283 per day for a day performer, $4,456 per week for a weekly performer and $231 per day for a background actor. Lead actors negotiate above these minimums.
Last updated October 24, 2026
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