If you’re curious about breaking into the world of background acting, you’ll find that responding to casting calls is a common route. Some professional extras even have agents to secure them gigs, often paying slightly more than minimum wage. Contrary to popular belief, career extras can be members of prestigious acting guilds, reaping substantial pay and benefits for their work on set.
Apart from the basic pay, extras can enjoy some unique perks, such as indulging in lavish set cuisine. However, they must abide by the unspoken rule that the main talent always gets the best of the buffet, leaving the extras to their designated table.
While breaking into the industry as an extra isn’t overly challenging, persistence and adaptability are key. Many treat it as a part-time pursuit or a stepping stone into more prominent roles. However, it’s essential to understand that appearances matter significantly when it comes to securing an extra role. Detailed photographs and precise measurements are often required during the application process, as productions seek individuals who blend seamlessly into the background.
The life of an extra can be quite diverse, ranging from standing in as a look-alike for a lead actor to playing distinctive characters that demand a unique appearance. While some may face challenges due to their unconventional looks, many find their niche in the industry. It’s crucial to develop a thick skin to navigate the sometimes blunt casting calls.
Contrary to Common Assumptions
Being conventionally attractive doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a spot as an extra. Productions often seek individuals who won’t draw attention away from the main story. Nonetheless, specific scenes, such as those set in clubs or parties, may call for attractive extras to create a particular ambiance.
On set, extras usually experience a certain level of monotony and have to adhere to strict rules, including maintaining silence during filming to ensure the clarity of the main dialogue. Extras often find themselves performing seemingly mundane tasks, such as pretending to dance or applaud in silence, in scenes that require a vibrant atmosphere.
The use of personal devices on set is typically restricted, and extras are expected to sign non-disclosure agreements to maintain the secrecy of the production. Enduring long hours of waiting is also a common aspect of being an extra, with individuals often finding ways to pass the time, such as reading or engaging in light conversation with fellow extras.
The attire of extras is of utmost importance, with the need to dress in unobtrusive clothing that doesn’t feature prominent logos or branding. In some cases, extras might be required to wear the same outfit for multiple shoot days to ensure continuity, making wardrobe preparation a vital part of the job.
- Boost Your Chances of Being Noticed In most cases, digital crowds or a group of extras shot so that they may be overlayed to fill a stadium are used instead of actually hiring thousands of extras for a film or TV show.
- Stand Out in the Crowd Mixed in with real individuals are often cardboard cutouts, which stand out more as the camera moves about.
- Get Realistic with Your Presence Inflatable extras, which are a thing and can be occasionally observed amongst real people in crowd situations, are another alternative accessible to the filmmaker who wants something particularly realistic looking in certain cases.
- Understand the Role of Digital Effects Learn about the various ways filmmakers create the illusion of large crowds and how your presence can be enhanced through digital technology.
- Embrace the Blend of Real and Virtual Recognize the dynamic blend of real extras and digital effects that contribute to creating the immersive experience in movies and television shows.
Tips To Getting Started As An Extra
- Getting Started as an Extra You can get into the world of movie or show extras by responding to casting ads on dedicated websites or platforms like Craigslist.
- Utilizing Online Resources Keep an eye on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, where casting directors often post calls for extras.
- Understanding the Job Requirements Prepare good, representative photographs and physique measurements to meet the diverse needs of productions seeking extras.
- Enhancing Your Chances Ensure your appearance is versatile and inconspicuous, as productions typically look for individuals who won’t distract from the main actors.
- Nurturing Your Role as an Extra Develop a patient and flexible attitude, as being an extra can involve long hours of waiting and following directions without drawing attention to yourself.
- Exploring Additional Opportunities Consider working as a stand-in for scene-setting if you have a good reputation and resemble a lead actor in body features and the like.
- Understanding Set Etiquette Familiarize yourself with the rules of set conduct, such as signing non-disclosure agreements and avoiding the use of smartphones and other devices during shooting.
- Dressing Appropriately for the Role Select subdued, ordinary attire without logos or branding that may distract or conflict with the production’s requirements.
- Adapting to Challenging Situations Prepare to handle uncomfortable scenarios, such as wearing weather-inappropriate clothing for a scene or standing for long periods during shooting.
- Maximizing the Experience Embrace the unique experience of being an extra, enjoying the perks of excellent set cuisine and the occasional opportunity to interact with well-known actors.
Despite the challenges and the relatively low pay, being an extra can offer unique experiences, such as being a small part of a big production and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow extras. It’s an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the glamour of the entertainment industry, even if it means being inconspicuous in the background for a few fleeting moments.
