Uni-versal Extras Avis 

Signed up with UVE almost a year ago. Many job ‘ offers’ but sadly not this time was the reply. Not one. I applied for jobs via the app and was also sent jobs via text ‘We’ve matched you to a role’. Really? Followed up a few days later with ‘unfortunately you didn’t get the role’. Not one job. Didn’t even cover the cost of the initial fee I paid when I signed up. I’ll have a large wager the same handful of people get the majority of the jobs. Utter waste of time and money. I’m not going to say it’s a scam but UVE is doing a good impression of one.

Joke.
No jobs after 3 years.
Just as your annual fee needs renewing a job....then pending then we'll tell you by this date then...
Oh surprisingly no job.
Then same again. Then same again.
Imagine how much money they are making from people who believe their texts.

Petty and rigid people!
I am not going to lay out my whole experience here but I will rate it. Total lack of flexibility and human touch.
Do yourself a favor and protect your money and your time. Avoid them!!
There are many other companies in this industry that are indeed reliable, collaborative, and worthwhile. Not these guys!

One of the Best.

I’m really unsure why there are any negative reviews - looking through them, I have nothing but great things to say about Universal Extras.

I’ve been booked a few times through them and had a great experience every time - it’s a very cheap service and not a scam.

Cannot fault Uni-versal Extras on this assignment. It was a major movie production and Uni-versal Extras represented me incredibly well and landed me a prominent role over several days. It was incredible.
I cannot fault communication and support either as well as prompt accounting paperwork.

*I had signed up - spoke to an admin over the phone who had my application, I even paid listing fees.
*Asked how I apply for roles as an extra, she said looking at my pics I wouldn’t be able to apply for many of the roles due to my particular look (am part Moroccan) until I build up more roles. Said they will send some roles to apply via email. At this point I thought it very suspicious if not mildly racist (maybe it wasn’t intentional) but a shock. Said she didn’t need any more info from me, and I would hear from them soon.
*Called some weeks later only to hear they didn’t know I was or have any record of my email or talking to me.
*Explained I had registered and paid fees already but seen or heard nothing and now thought it was a bit fishy and would like my money back. They put me on hold, then cut me off after a few mins.
*Called back, same thing. On hold, then cut off.
*Emailed about a week later, no reply, then emailed & called one last time few days later, they said there isn’t notes of me calling prior. Told them I received what I felt was racial profiling to me - not even a hint of apology. Refused to pay back my money as there’s no record of me.
*My advice, do not go near this scam.
*Theft, RACISM, poor communication, no notes. Some kind of ghost outfit ?? Are all extras agencies like this?
Please report this company !!!

A few days before I was due to go in for a clothes-fitting for a production as an extra, I shaved - I got a crazy rash (like never before) and after speaking to both a pharmacist and a doc who said it was a more than intense razor burn/bumps (like ongoing burning/itchy rashes for half of the day), I realised I could not clean shave for the fitting like I was meant to, so when they txt'd the next day to confirm the following days times, place etc.. I called directly and cancelled as it was a requirement to go clean-shaven. The guy I spoke to said it was fine, thanks for letting them know and they would keep an eye out for further extra work for me. Then later that night I got a call from a girl confirming the following days sign-in time - I told her I had already cancelled earlier to which she said I did not contact them. She said well if you are not going clean shaven on the day or on filming day "we will ban you". I said the rash was now a serious health concern and I could not - she then got very agitated, and started lecturing me like a child. She got very tense, and didn't seem to understand my skin issue, kept talking over me, then I ended the call. I then sent a very considerate email clarifying it all after this tense call and to apologise for any misunderstanding, but this was now a medical concern. They did not reply, I checked the app in days after and it really said "banned" - they didn't reply to my next 2 emails over a month until I sent a complaint in. They "investigated" my complaint and told me (rather unbelievably) I will remain banned. Intriguing. It seems they are protecting the girl who called me, because her attitude/tone was totally out of order. I had let them know why I had to cancel like anyone would have, and then she got cooercive, pressured and pretty much tried to blackmail me over phone - 'do the job clean shaven, (despite your skin inflammation) or you're banned.' I chose my health. Their reasoning was that I had indicated on a survey a month before I could go clean shaven (and at that time, I was prepared to - that's why I prep shaved nearer the date).
They...do...not care. You are just a number. They do not listen to your explanation. They ignored the fact in my complaint they've discriminated against me on a health basis. And they did not even investigate the callers tone, or threat to ban me. Who would be okay with being coerced over the phone? I have dealt with complaints before in different jobs and this is not how you deal with it. They refuse to give my listing fees back (the only thing that may have saved any ounce of credibility) so I feel no choice but to write this. I may report them to whatever ethics/discrimination/employment boards I find also. Totally ridiculous.
The irony is that it would have cost them nothing to apologise or even just accept things happen, or even to barely reinstate my account, but now as a result of them not, they're gonna lose far more due to reputational loss. I should have read other peoples reviews before using these guys! What an absolute joke. Turns out other FREE agencies have far better ratings and treat you far better anyway, so good riddance to you UExtras.

SCAM! I was asked to pay them after doing a job! They bombarded me with job advertsements text messages even after I ended subsription with them for 7 years. Couldn't stopped them. Then I finally decided to try doing an extra job for the first time because I was free on the date. I paid the train tickets to get there out of my pocket. I then received a bill from UniversalExtras asking ME to PAY THEM. They basically took all the money paid to me by the production team, deducted all kinds of hidden fees, VAT fee, Listing Fee etc. and left me with a negative balnce. Lol, I had nothing to say in the situation. There had been absolutely no communication at all regarding the fee that they would charge you. They would just take your money that you were supposed to receive. It is so ridiculous and scammy.

Interesting to read some of the negative comments and I do get the frustration around the yearly fee, then commission. Indeed I have been a member for over 12 months and just picked up my first experience after so many applications failing or prompts not happening. That said what a day yesterday. Late notice of role but Izzie was brilliant and lovely to talk too. Managed my expectations and delivered what she said she would. The day was amazing, met some lovely people and cant wait for the next one. Thankyou UVE brilliant. Nigel

Useless agency and scammers.

Having worked as a SA on and off for over 20 years I decided to become more involved as we had sold our business and have more time.
I am fully aware of the way the industry works, there is a lot of rejection, changes in production and waiting so this did not come as any surprise when I joined UE.
However, what did surprise me was the number of days we were being asked to “set aside” which was way more than I have experienced to date, something which is reflected in the feedback from other SA's online. Whilst I have more time now than ever its unreasonable to expect anyone to make themselves available ongoing without receiving a commitment.
After being asked again to wait more time on a decision for a role I advised them that I wished to deregister as their way of working was too restrictive and vague.
That, I thought, would have been the end of it and had no intention of posting a negative review online.
However, having checked their app last night to see if this had taken place yet I noticed my status had been changed to BANNED!
Having seen this I realised I had made the correct decision, and this clearly showed the culture of the business which is highly unprofessional.
Rather than taking feedback as constructive and positive they have deceived to go on the defensive.
Based on my experience to date I would suggest registering with other agencies.

Great communication from Universal at all stages. Friendly and helpful staff.
On set cast and crew were great, other extras all Friendly as well. Food was lovely, really enjoyed my time on set.

Why pay a joining fee when an agent takes commission?
If you do get plenty work then might be acceptable.
But one job a year and deduction of joining fee, would you accept £40.00 for a 10/12 hour shift, possibly no parking or transport expenses.....
I think not!
BEWARE of the gaslighting.

As someone who has a dynamic disability (sometimes I use a walking stick/walker/wheelchair, sometimes I don't) my most recent experience on set was great.

They didn't end up using me in my wheelchair for the actual scene, but I was looked after behind the scenes. The AD's made sure I was looked after without making too much of a fuss over me. I was just another supporting artist like everyone else, which was great.
Thanks UE!

Websie put me off have tried numerous times to log in on different browsers as well as change of password. also there is not a lot of scope to crop images via the app.

I had an amazing day filming , meeting fellow SA’s and all the crew and makeup artists were fantastic, nothing was too much trouble for them , thank you Uni-versal I thoroughly enjoyed myself and can’t wait to work with you again 😊

I am very Happy with UNIVERSAL EXTRAS I finished filming The Bay TV Drama around 7 weeks ago and have been Payed without a Problem. When I ring up for any reason they are polite and very Helpful I am waiting for the next job offer and I wish all the staff the best as they work so HARD.

I'm having a great couple of days filming on location in Hertfordshire through UVE this week.

I'm working with four other SAs as band members in a scene fronted a well known actor. It's a good opportunity to bring my keyboards along and synchronize our playing to a backing track. It's the first time I've done that as an SA.

The cast and crew are all lovely too. Thanks UVE.

absolutely awful. signed up as a student and didnt renew membership as i never got a single job despite being fit for plenty. got sent a job after i graduated and i didnt realise the membership fee was £60 which is ridiculous. anyway i lost money that day due to their dayligh robbery policy. not to mention it was an awful experience shooting.

TLDR
- Great jobs, awful attitude especially towards SAs.
- Expect you to turn down paid work with other agencies for one of their pencils

Whilst I have had some fabulous jobs in my 10 years working for this company, they are my least favourite agent as they seem to have no idea of what our job entails.
- I've worked on many productions and been told by the ADs that this was my last day onset BUT I still had several dates booked by the agency. Querying the agency, I was told those jobs were definitely still booked.. but the AD confirmed production was moving to Morocco and wrapping there the next day?
- I've been on top-tier NDA jobs with my phone locked away and come back to find multiple messages and a voicemail asking why I haven't confirmed their pencil for the next day.
- I've been on uncomfortable sets and reached out to them to ask if they can help improve our working conditions and basically been met with a 'sucks to be you' response.
- I've had them scream down the phone at me because I asked to be released from a pencil.
- EVERY single time I've been waiting for a confirmation and instead received an "in relation to your pencil on X you will receive your results (insert later date here)" I have been expected to hold it free for them but been released the day before with no work and a "due to filming issues, you are no longer required" text.

They treat the background artists who pretty much pay their wages like dirt but bend over backwards and schmooze with production to ensure they continue to get bookings.