Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to interview to join DC5?

You will find that some agencies just take your picture and your money (also known as a Photo Fee) and put you on the list with hundreds of other faces. Def Con 5 is a team, it is our responsibility to select the best people for the team. We interview each applicant to determine if they really want to be part of this industry and if they have the level of professionalism it requires to succeed.. If you have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanour involving firearms or assault you will not be allowed to join DC5. Def Con 5 only represents the best in the industry and if a person fails to represent the team in a positive manner then we take them off our roster.

I hear a lot of controversy about Def Con 5, why is that?

Def Con 5 has been in business since 1998. During that time we have had to let a lot of people go from the roster. This results in unhappy people who thought they had what it takes to succeed and learned that they didn’t. It’s unfortunate but it comes with the territory. The business is full of rumours but we have members who have been with us since the beginning and the fact of the matter is, when you’re on top you’re a target for everyone who wants to see you fall.

Does Def Con 5 book Military and Police roles only?

No, because our members have gained a strong reputation for professionalism in the industry the agents will book our members for a variety of roles in film and television. Our performers are definitely called upon when scenes involve gunfire or action near the principle cast. These scenes usually involve military, police or criminal types.

Do you need to have on set experience?

Set experience is always helpful but not necessary. In addition to the firearms training we also train our new in-experienced members in “on set etiquette” and because of the “team work” structure of Def Con 5 the other members will always be helpful in answering your questions and guiding you through the process of life on a film set.

Do you need to have Military, Police or weapons training?

Absolutely not, actually we prefer to have members without these types of training. It allows us to train you at a level that doesn’t conflict with previous military training. There are subtle yet noticeable differences in the way each country trains its military personnel. Our training focuses on U.S. military tactics and manoeuvres since it is most commonly used in film. For those people who do have previous training we gladly accept them as long as they understand that they will have to learn some new tactics.

Are females on the Def Con 5 roster?

Yes, we have women on the roster. The film industry is slowly catching up with the fact that women are used in SWAT and are becoming more and more prominent in the military. As well our female members are often used in a variety of roles because of their membership to DC5.

Does Def Con 5 handle stunts?

No, DC5 is not a “Stunt” agency. We do not book or coordinate stunts with production nor do we train our members in the art of stunt performance. Since DC5 members are usually in the thick of a scene, an opportunity may arise on set where one of our members will be upgraded to stunt by the stunt coordinator. This is nota common occurrence, but when the opportunity does happen the stunt coordinators know that they can count on DC5 people to get the job done.

How many days a week do you need to be available?

It helps to be as available as possible. Unlike the other agencies our roster is small and we can often keep members busy throughout the week. This is not a guarantee because the industry is unpredictable but, if you can keep at least two days a week open then your chances of being booked are greatly increased. Keep in mind most productions take weekends off so Mon-Fri are the key days.

Does Def Con 5 represent principal actors?

No, Def Con 5 is not a principal agency. But, since many of our members are in the Union of British Columbia performers it’s not uncommon for us to receive a call from principal casting to send a group over to read for a acting part.

What is the commission rate?

The “commission” is what Def Con 5 receives for booking you on a production. It’s the sole income for our company. The commission is 15% of the gross for you work set. GST is also charged but it based on the amount of commission and not your total pay from production.

Does Def Con 5 charge for training?

It is against the law for any agency to charge additional costs other than those allowed by the Labour Standards Act. Therefore DC5 does not charge for training its members.

Do I have to be a member to attend the training?

Yes, due to liability issues DC5 only trains its members. The exception is when a production or company such as a video game company hires the DC5 instructors to train the actors or programmers for a specific role or game.