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Company details
Written by the company
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.
Contact info
United Kingdom
- www.universalextras.co.uk
4.4
Excellent
207 reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
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Great experience working on the set of…
Great experience working on the set of Disenchanted.
31 March 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Wonderful working with you, Murali. Thank you for your review!
- The UVE Team
Wonderful experience
Wonderful experience working on the
production, friendly, courteous team of
professionals and organisers, hats off to everyone involved in managing such a large crowd, from costume helpers, makeup, catering and AD's. Extremely well done.
4 October 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Thank you for your kind words, Iqtidar; we're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time on set! We look forward to working with you again soon :)
- The UVE Team
Find another agency first
Find another agency.
Yes they may get you the odd extras job.
But it will be days before the shoot, give you no time to prepare, not tell you anything about the role. and then, if you’ve paid the £30 membership, they will take another £30 off your payment. So the £30 offer is a waste of time, because they will just take it off you again, so in total you pay £60. Please find another agency first.
10 October 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Matthew,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention – with your permission, we would like to look into your most recent chit breakdown as this should absolutely not be the case.
Transparency surrounding fees is extremely important to us, and our £30 listing has no hidden costs - we can only imagine that the additional deduction is from the 16% commission we take to host your information on the UVE database.
Our apologies if our commission structure was not made clear to you, Matthew. I have escalated this to our Artiste Support team who I have asked to reach out to you directly. We are keen to get to the bottom of this for you asap!
- The UVE Team
Bunch of thieves
Bunch of thieves should get paid almost £300 got only £130 the rest was commission plus fees ..... stay away and save your time
25 August 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
We were sorry to read your review, K.
It sounds as though you have opted to have your annual listing fee taken from your first booking instead of paying upfront – which sadly does bring the fee up to the full-price of £60.
Transparency is very important to us and we do our absolute best to explain all listing options / commission breakdowns to new Artistes during the registration process, and you will always find an accurate breakdown of all costs on our Money and Payments page here: https://universalextras.co.uk/extras/money-payment/
We apologise if this was not properly explained to you at registration - and thank you for bringing this experience to our attention.
If you would feel comfortable sharing your full name with a member of Artist support, please do reach out on enquiry@universalextras.co.uk and we would be happy to go through your chit breakdown in more detail together.
- The UVE Team
Amazing experience
6 October 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Wonderful working with you also, Toni. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review!
- The UVE Team
Andor experience
To be part of a Star Wars series was fantastic. I played a seller on Ferrix, Andor's planet. Set dressing was perfect, and the AD's were very kind and helpful. Meeting Stellan Skarsgård and other main actors was a definite treat. Most SA's have kept in touch and we have had our own little premiere and watched the first 3 episodes together spotting ourselves in scenes. A brilliant experience was had by all.
4 October 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
A pleasure working with you, Sue. We appreciate you taking the time to leave your review - a big thank you from the entire team here at UVE Team!
London is not a village!
When I first started working with Universal it seemed very professional. I was getting my pay for the day messaged to me just minutes after signing out and fairly good info on jobs offered... then everything changed! They went all high tech with their awful mobile phone app and vague as hell. Now, every time I am asked about a job, I have to tick off a whole list before I find out where and when it is and politely declined it. As a result, I now scroll through to the end and if I can't do I just delete rather than decline. BUT... the biggest problem is they almost always say the job might be before 6am with no parking and in LONDON. I called them to politely point out that I and others were having to say no to jobs because we could not say yes if we didn't know where the job was in London. London is not a village! I was told they often didn't know until 7pm the night before... but other companies manage it. Later that night I got declined on an AV at 9pm for work the next day and at 1pm I get an email saying I will no longer be prioritised for work unless I pay a fee upfront. Is that just a coincidence? There are so many other, better companies out there, so don't bother.
17 August 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Mark; thanks for your feedback.
We appreciate that London is a big city and your availability will depend on the location. Our Casting Team always use the most specific information possible. That said, productions sometimes only give us only limited details to begin with, so at times that is out of our hands.
The UVE Artiste iOS and Android app has brought Artistes closer to the action, with integrated calendar features, document signing, and a whole load of new features. In relation to availability checks, we appreciate your feedback regarding date selection; this is something we are working to improve.
Our Listing Fee does give you access to apply directly for roles and put you in the prioritised casting pool. However it is totally optional. All the details about our fees can be found on the Money & Payments page of our website, or in our terms and conditions.
– The UVE Team
Been wanting to write this for a while…
I have been wanting to write this review for a couple of years now. I did a few bits of work with them and enjoyed it, didn't find much wrong with that side of my experience at first. The issue came when I called the day before a shoot and explained that I couldn't go in the next day. I don't know who it was that a spoke to but I explained that I was in a bad financial bind and I was given the opportunity for a longer (not filming related) job and I had to take it to be able to pay rent etc. I was hugely apologetic on the phone and told them I understood that of they needed to take me off the books then that was a shame but if that's the policy then I was of course happy to accept the consequences. My complaint and bad review is of the way the person spoke to me after this. There was nothing more to be said but they decided to get pretty personal, questioning my life choices, they proceeded to shout at me and started telling me how hard I had made their life and many other hurtful comments. Bear in mind that I had already said I was happy for them to remove me from the books. They made me feel so low about my situation and after a barrage of anger and hurtful comments they hung up on me. I then got texts asking me if I was available for the next day and I had to text back asking them to remove me from the system!
Please teach your staff how to treat people like actual humans on the phone. I understood the removal from the books policy and I stated that from the beginning. Uni-versal extras do not support their members if this behaviour was anything to go by.
18 July 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Fran,
Thank you for leaving us your feedback; we appreciate all feedback that can help us improve the way we work with our SA's and were very sorry to read your message.
As you can imagine, we are extremely keen to get to the bottom of this. Our calls are both logged and recorded for quality & training purposes, so we will absolutely be revisiting this exchange.
In order to do so, we will need to access your Artiste profile. If you feel comfortable sharing your full name with our support team, we would be grateful if you could email us on enquiry@universalextras.co.uk as soon as possible so we can look into this further.
Thank you,
The UVE team
If you are looking for a role in…
If you are looking for a role in Bristol or south west, don’t use them. I have been signed up for the last year and the only opportunity was in Cardiff with a 6am start. I would have blown anything I earned in staying there!
Not renewing! Surely they should give some indication of the likely parts of the country they will be working in rather than pretending to be nationally represented.
14 April 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Finn; thanks for your review.
We're sorry that you were not happy with our service.
Filming on major feature productions does often mean early starts of 6am or even earlier. We appreciate that this can be difficult for some Artistes and this work is not a good fit for everyone!
UVE does operate UK wide. This is evident from our list of verified productions on our website, which can be filtered by location: https://universalextras.co.uk/extras/our-productions/
We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
– The UVE Team
I have just Completed a filming job In…Brilliant service Great staff will be working with them again.
I have just Completed a filming job In the lakes March 5th 2022 and UNIVERSAL were brilliant they kept In Contact by Phone & email and cannot find any Problems at all. I left the location at 8.30 pm and by time I got home at 10.15 a email had arrived will all payment details....THANK YOU UNIVERSAL EXTRAS.. PHIL.
6 April 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Phil,
We're delighted to hear that you had a great time on set - thank you for taking the time to leave us a review; it means a lot to us! I'll make sure to pass your kind words onto our Casting team :)
Look forward to working with you again!
- The UVE Team
I'm a team player, but
I'm a team player, but am tempted to write: What team(?), as I've not worked a single scene.
I have extensive experience across the board and abroad, extensive wardrobe and live central to Edinburgh with many productions going on and good travel connections. Yet despite having applied for 4 jobs this week/weekend on the app, hoping to wake the agency up to my existence, it now transpires that being told there "you are being considered" on that app means absolutely nothing.
Getting as far as to respond to survey will not get you anywhere either. Survey said I had clarified I wasn't available and had tattoos - none of which had been my actual response nor was it the case. I am extremely serious about being available and keep my word.
Updating photos also takes forever to be accepted.
I just want one job to cover my expenses. With 4 on my doorstep and not being considered for even 1.... ah well....
It's such a lovely and important industry, I extend my very best wishes to all and everyone. But this agency can and should do better. Until it does - maybe give it a miss.
17 February 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch; we were very sorry to read of your experience!
We’re keen to get to the bottom of this and look into the issues you raise regarding surveys and trouble updating your photos - thank you for your feedback.
If you feel comfortable sharing your name with our support team, we’d be grateful If you could email us on enquiry@universalextras.co.uk so we can look into this further.
Thank you!
The UVE team
A bunch of unprofessional thieves
A bunch of unprofessional thieves. Refused to pay me for my time claiming I didn't check-in and that I left before a covid test which were both false. I signed in on the front desk for the costume fitting which is also where I filled out the information about getting paid (how would have they paid me for the other days on the job had I not done this?), and at no point was I asked to do a covid test until 2 hours after the call time for the costume fitting. I was rang up and asked if I could come to do the test (for the first time) since production wanted to film earlier than initially planned. I agreed, drove back later that day and now they're telling me the AD is saying otherwise even though I have literal evidence that I was never asked to do a Covid test while there for the costume fitting. Their own staff walked me to the gate after the fitting. Its actually shocking. The payroll team have been even more unprofessional over email and as a result here I am warning other people about this company. I will be taking this further but if you are thinking about using them, don't. There is some very shady activity going on with this company and I wouldn't be surprised if they are involved in some class action law suit some day.
There is a reason that their feedback is so low and why anyone who has done work through them has nothing but bad things to say but of course they will always argue a false narrative with people in the replies. People are not stupid and see straight through it though.
Image attached about the costume fitting that I apparently was asked to do a covid test as part of. See if you can find anywhere there that mentions a covid test :)
25 January 2022
Unprompted review
Unmentioned £50 listing fee ontop of commission
I enjoyed the experience and got a job relatively quick but f♧ck uve for adding extra charges underneath my nose. £50 listing fee shut up, that isn't OK. I was offered £118 and after all of the stupid f♧cking charges and fees I got payed 36 pounds for 12 hours work.
13 January 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Sam,
Thank you for your feedback. We are delighted you enjoyed the experience overall, but are sorry that you missed the details of how listings work with Uni-versal Extras.
Details about our listing fees can be found:
- On the 'Money' page of our website available to prospective extras.
- In our T&Cs which you must agree to before registering as an artiste.
- In our Welcome Pack, which you are sent via email after registering.
- As part of our registration flow, where artistes are asked to pay for a discounted listing fee after uploading photos.
Our aim is to always been entirely open about how we charge our fees and are very happy to explain them further to provide you some clarification on how the payments work.
Uni-versal Extras charge a listing fee for non-students (full-time students register for free) in order to cover the costs of hosting your details for the period chosen. If you pay your fees in advance of securing work, you are eligible for a discount, compared to if you choose to have the fee deducted from your first payment which is what happened here.
Now you have paid the 1-year listing fee, this will not be deducted again for any work you complete within your listing period.
As I mentioned above, we try to be as open as possible about the listing fee structure, payments and casting processes and we are sorry that you feel that this may not have been the case, this genuinely wasn’t our intention as we really want our Supporting Artistes to be happy with all aspects of their relationship with Uni-versal Extras. Our listing fees and our casting process is fully explained through resources such as our website, blog section and the Welcome Pack that you will have received.
More details can be found in our T&Cs: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/terms-conditions/ or you can always call our Artist Support team on 0345 0030 344 who will be pleased to explain anything you don’t understand.
Kind regards,
UVE Team
I had a really bad experience with UVE…
I had a really bad experience with UVE while on set I followed all advice for SA who had any issues and was honest and truthful withy circumstances and was told for being honest calling you following protocols that I would be removed from the books if I couldn’t stay on set rather than attend a urgent health appointment unfortunately this caused a massive blow to my well-being and esteem and confidence and I was taken back at how they were willing to block me from their books with no other fault warning strikes or issues and how unfair they were . I thought that they were decent to start with and good as the contact numbers given you actually speak to a real person but unfortunately the customer care the staff support is not there and for someone who is understanding and willing to Follow protocols I was sadden of the outcome maybe next time I’ll read up on reviews before going to Any more agency
16 November 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi, thanks for your feedback.
Unfortunately we are unable to identify you based on the name you have provided, so I cannot comment specifically on your situation. However I will be happy to clarify our general processes in relation to roles and castings.
It sounds as though you accepted work as a film or TV artiste which we secured you, and then when on set, you had to leave for a medical appointment. As an agency, we check all of our artistes thoroughly before putting you forward for work - if you had notified us of your appointment in advance, we would not have put you forward to the production as artistes leaving early can cause issues with continuity and is not generally something that our production clients can accommodate.
Uni-versal Extras operates a zero tolerance policy in relation to pulling out of booked work, with the only exception being emergencies or other serious issues, in which case our staff is on hand 24/7 to support you. In this instance, it sounds like you have been removed because the issue was not deemed an emergency, or perhaps because you did not notify us of the issue at all. Again, unfortunately I cannot provide more specific feedback because I am unable to identify you.
If you would like us to review this for you, please feel free to contact enquiry@universalextras.co.uk with your name, the production and date you worked, and we will be happy to review this for you.
Kind regards,
UVE Team
Universal Extras. A fantastic Agency
A fantastic Agency. Highly recommended.
8 November 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Thank you! Uni-versal Extras
Not an honest professional agency
I am registered with several agencies and not one of them charge you a 'listing fee', it seems Universal Extras register as many people as possible for the fees. Whilst I certainly understand and do not blame the agency at all for not being chosen by production for any bookings this last year, I do find it surprising that I have rarely received enquiries. Of the two I did receive I did not hear a response back which I do think is poor practice. There are other bigger, better more reputable agencies that treat their SAs with more respect. You are told if you are released and their processes are much more streamlined. Whilst I also appreciate a lot of UE productions are likely filmed in London (I'm in the South West hence wouldn't receive any bookings for any of those jobs), I do think the way UE take weeks and weeks to approve your photos that in reality do meet their guidelines is just ways they're delaying you to be potentially considered. I have had very positive experiences and regular bookings with my other agencies, I just wish I had not signed up with UE as it has been a waste of money plus there is no personal service or contact at all. If you have a specific diverse look, then you may have more luck with your bookings as often productions will have a very specific criteria. Be mindful and careful before signing up with UE as the fees are just not justified if you never book anything and they may book you where you haven't paid your fee so they can deduct more money from you.
8 September 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Francesca,
I’m sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with our service. I will be more than happy to add some clarification following your review.
Uni-versal Extras supplies Supporting Artists for productions based all across the UK. Whilst we do work in larger areas such as London and Manchester frequently, we do work on productions in many other locations, including the South West. We aim to contact suitable extras for various roles directly, however we do recommend that extras keep checking our Jobs Board and applying for roles that they are suitable for.
Sadly, you are correct in that we are unable to guarantee or offer every single one of our extras work. This is purely down to the industry that we operate in; productions always provide a brief and have the final say on who is cast. As an agency, we would absolutely love to offer all of our extras roles, but sadly this is not always possible.
Uni-versal Extras do charge a listing fee in order to cover the costs of hosting your details (students in full time education are able to register for free.) However, everyone is given the option to register without paying anything, meaning that the full listing fee will be deducted from your first wages. Therefore, if you don’t obtain work, you will not have to pay if you do not wish. More details can be found in our T&Cs: https://www.universalextras.co.uk/terms-conditions/
In relation to your photos, all images are moderated individually by our team and must meet our criteria. If you are having trouble getting your photos approved, our artist support team will be able to help you and resolve the issue straight away.
Again, I am very sorry to hear that you are not feeling entirely satisfied with our service and we would be very sorry to see you go. I hope this reply has helped to provide some clarification to your situation, and as mentioned, our artist support team are on hand if you require any further assistance or have any other queries. The support team are available during office hours on 0345 009 0344.
Kind regards,
The UVE Team
My son is 17 and after reading the…
My son is 17 and after reading the reviews on here we didnt hold out much luck of parts or payments, BUT i was wrong the team at universal extras have been amazing. My son has already in 4 months been on 2 different film sets from a netflix series to an amazon series and another booked in for Sept 2021. Payment has always been between 2 and 8 weeks and any problems they have always answered professionally and sorted any concerns. You only read bad reviews about different places but i cant thank the team enough for the experiences they have provided my son with, i guess you make the most of what you have at the time if you follow the guidelines do what is needed and dont mess the casting team about you get more out of it. Yes reading below it has a few bad reviews but considering how many extras they have on their books you would expect a few bad ones shame no one ever posts the food one. And we cant thank them enough and can say we have had a great experience so far.
23 August 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Uni-versal Extras
Hi Gary,
Thank you so much for your positive feedback. We look forward to working with your son again in the future.
Have a lovely day,
UVE Team
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 August 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from 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 August 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from 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 July 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from 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
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