How to get on filmset?

There's a filming close to where I live. I called the casting agent and asked for a role. They had a role, but unfortunately I was not available when the needed me. I then asked if I could come down and witness the filming. But the agent didn't have any power to grant me that wish. I asked for someone who had this power, but I didn't want to give out that information. I had to figure it out by my self.

So, any idea how to get on set? How to ask the person who can grant me this wish?
I know who the director is, but it's useless to send him e-mail. Can't even find his e-mail or contact information.

Any idea?

This is in Tromsø, director Nils Gaup and the film is called "Glassdukkene".

No productions want anybody unnecessary around the set. Every minute is costing them money, people in the way translates to loss of production.

Your best bet was your first idea, but you went about it in the wrong manner. Entry level is Extras Casting, or background performer. Calling them up & then not being available is a sure way to get blacklisted. Why?

Because someone who is casting background performers might have to call several hundred people in a night, waste their time once, they'll never have time for you again.

This is a business, a big business.

If you're working backgrounds & aren't on your mark when they need you, thus they have to search for you, on a feature film you might be costing them over $30,000 a minute. So you'll never work again. Also you can see with these kinds of budgets why they don't want unprofessional people wandering around the set gawking & asking questions.

Best advice is to find a production that's shooting during a time when you ARE available, preferably a 2 week stretch. Then mail an 8x10 BW 3/4 headshot with your name on it, along with a resume of some film & theatrical work you've done. If you don't have any experience, think harder, even school plays show that you can follow direction. That's what they want, people who do what they're told & nothing more. It's a lot of waiting around & you will be away from the set in a holding area, but then you get to see how everything works when they do call you to the set.

If you are exceptionally obedient & polite, you might get known by the extras casting director who may call you to do stand-in work (next level up from background extra). Then you are on the set all the time.

WARNING - Here are 3 ways to be ejected from the set & blacklisted never to return...

1 - Bring a phone or any kind of camera on set.

2 - Ask questions of anyone other than a PA (Production Assistant) or an Extras Wrangler. Even if you do ever ask either of those 2 people a question, it better be very brief & extremely rare.

3 - Ask a star for an autograph or try to talk to them.

Thanks for your answer, Trix!

They were actually in a hurry to get extras. They went out in the local newspaper and asked for extras. They didn't have time for any audition.
So I called. Didn't get an answer. I texted her and got a response to contact another guy. I did so, but no answer. I texted him and he called me back and asked me some questions. Unfortunately he asked if I was available when I weren't.

But they are doing a another film next year. Have to try again in a year...

Rarely if ever do they hold auditions for extras casting, especially if they have your headshot & resume. Except in some rare cases, when they're looking for particular ethnic or body-types.

Get yourself a decent headshot & put together a resume. You don't have to stretch the truth too much on it, they just want to know you can follow directions & show up early.

Make sure you let the extras casting director know you have your own reliable transportation. Also they like people they can always get a hold of. Once they know you're what they need, they will call you frequently, then you can move up the ladder & learn a lot about movie making on the set.

I will send out a resume and a headshot for the next time. Perhaps I'm lucky.

Thanks!