What is a Local Hire?
If you’ve spent any time looking at casting breakdowns, you’ve probably seen the words “LOCAL HIRE.”
But what does it actually mean?
Generally, a local hire is an actor who is expected to work on a production without requiring production to cover their travel or lodging.
For example, if a production is filming in Los Angeles and you’re based in Atlanta, you may be able to submit as a local hire if you’re willing to get yourself to Los Angeles, arrange your own accommodations and ground transportation, and be available for the required dates.
Being willing to work as a local isn’t always the same as being a local resident. An actor may be able to work as a local hire in multiple markets if they can reliably work there without requiring production to cover travel and lodging.
Some productions, however, specifically require actual local residents because of production requirements, local hiring rules, or state and regional film incentives. If a breakdown says “local residents only,” make sure you actually meet that requirement.
Why Do Productions Hire Locals?
The biggest reasons are cost and convenience.
Bringing an actor in from another market can mean paying for flights, hotels, ground transportation, meals, and other travel expenses. Hiring someone who can work as a local reduces those costs and makes the logistics of getting the actor to set much simpler.
Sometimes there is another reason: tax incentives.
Certain states and regions offer film incentives that encourage productions to hire local workers. The requirements vary by location, and these incentives generally benefit the production rather than the individual actor.
Not every local-hire request is connected to an incentive. Sometimes production simply doesn’t want to cover the cost of bringing an actor in from another market.
The Pros of Working as a Local Hire
Being available as a local hire can give actors access to opportunities outside their primary market.
More opportunities: You can submit for projects filming in other cities without requiring production to arrange your travel.
More competitive: If production is choosing between actors who are equally appropriate for a role, someone who can work as a local may have an advantage because they don’t require additional travel or lodging expenses.
Access to other markets: Being able to work locally in multiple markets expands the number of projects you can realistically pursue.
Potential for stronger credits: Out-of-market productions may provide opportunities to earn valuable credits, footage, or experience that can strengthen your resume and reel.
The Cons of Working as a Local Hire
The biggest downside is that you may be responsible for costs production would otherwise cover.
Depending on the project, that could include:
Flights or other transportation
Hotel or other accommodations
Rental cars or local transportation
Meals and other travel expenses (when no per diem is granted by production*)
In-person callbacks, fittings, rehearsals, or other pre-production requirements
Those expenses can add up quickly. A project might offer a strong rate, but after paying for travel and accommodations, your actual take-home amount could be significantly lower.
You also need to consider the time commitment. Traveling to another market could mean taking time away from work, auditions, or personal responsibilities.
Production schedules can also change constantly in film and television. When you live 20 minutes from set, a last-minute schedule change or an additional shoot day may be inconvenient, but it's usually manageable. When you're six or seven hours away—or even farther—those changes can become much more difficult and expensive to accommodate.
Before accepting a local-hire job, consider whether you can realistically handle changes to the schedule, additional days, or unexpected travel on short notice. You may also be required to arrive in the market before your first day of filming. Some productions require local-hire actors to arrive at least one day early for wardrobe fittings, rehearsals, or other pre-production requirements, while others may schedule those activities on the first day of shooting. Once you're booked, ask production when you're expected to arrive so you can plan your travel and accommodations accordingly.
Is Working as a Local Hire Worth It?
It depends on the opportunity.
A substantial role, strong credit, valuable footage, or the chance to work with an important production may make the expense worthwhile. For a smaller project, the same travel costs may not make financial sense.
Before accepting, calculate the total cost of the opportunity, not just the paycheck.
Also remember that the specific terms of the production and any applicable union agreement take precedence. Don’t assume every local-hire project handles travel, lodging, mileage, or per diem the same way.
What Should You Ask Before Accepting?
If you’re considering a local-hire project, clarify the terms before committing.
Ask:
What does “local hire” mean for this production?
Are travel or lodging provided?
Is mileage or per diem included?
Does the production require actual local residency?
Is proof of residency required?
What expenses am I responsible for?
Are there any in-person callbacks, fittings, or rehearsals?
If you have an agent or manager, let them help clarify the terms and determine whether the opportunity makes sense for your circumstances.
Being a local hire can open the door to opportunities outside your primary market, but it can also mean taking on expenses and responsibilities that production might otherwise cover.
The question isn’t simply, “Can I work as a local?” It’s “Is this opportunity worth what it will cost me?”
Understand the terms, calculate your expenses, and make the decision based on the opportunity—not just the paycheck.
At Actorsite, we believe actors need more than strong performances to build a professional career. Understanding casting terminology, audition expectations, and how the industry works can help you make smarter decisions when opportunities come your way. Explore our Coaching, Kids/Teens and Adults training options to continue building both your craft and your industry knowledge.
*Per diem is a daily allowance provided by production to help cover certain expenses while you're working away from home, such as meals and incidental costs. The amount and what it covers can vary by production and applicable union agreement.