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Being an extra in a movie is an experience that not many get the chance to have, yet almost anyone can do it. It requires no experience whatsoever.
What is an extra?
Extras are people in the scene of a movie or television show who are needed to create a background or simulated real environment. For example if a scene were to take place on a commercial airliner, it would look rather silly to the viewer if the only people on the plane were the two main characters. With 30 extras sitting in various seats behind, next to and in front of the main characters, the setting is much more real and natural. The goal is to create a background or environment without detracting from the main point of action. So basically, extras are walking set pieces.
So how does one become an extra?
When film or television companies come through your local area and are in need of extras, many will post an advertisement in the newspaper. By calling the phone number you will receive the information about what they are looking for. If you have never seen any advertisements in the paper and are interested in extra work, a good place to start is by searching the yellow pages for the nearest talent agency. Chances are there is one in your area. If a film company comes through town and needs a variety of extras, but not so many they want to advertise to the entire city, they will go directly to the local talent agency. By contacting the agency you will ensure your name to be in the files for those times when extras are needed. Most talent agencies will ask you to supply them with an 8x10 black and white headshot (photograph) and a resume with your statistics and your film/TV/modeling experience. If you don’t have much experience, don’t worry. Everyone starts somewhere and extra work requires more of the right look rather than acting experience. Once you have established your name with the talent agency, check back periodically for upcoming projects. If the talent agent is familiar with you and your desire to work, you are more likely to get a call than if you just sit and wait while your picture sits on someone’s desk in a large pile. Some talent agencies even have what they call an extras hot-line where a recording is played with information about current needs on projects, upcoming films or whether or not there is any work available.
Extra work is paid. Usually. If there is an open casting call for extras in a newspaper and basically it is saying, "Come one, come all!", more than likely this is a huge crowd scene and you will not be paid. However, most extra work is paid. The standard rate for a full 12 hour day for a background extra is $65. A background extra is anyone who is not a part of the scene, but behind the action, and is probably not in focus, full view or recognizable. A featured extra can receive anywhere from $75-$125 for a full 12 hour day. An extra is featured when they become part of the scene. This means they are in focus, their face is seen clearly and may be the result of a cut-away or reaction shot. Featured extras do not have lines. Even one utter of a line from their mouth promotes them to a speaking role called a cameo.
Extras usually arrive on set very early and wait around for hours in a place called "Extras Holding" before they are ever needed on set. "Extras Holding" can be anything from a large warehouse to a school’s auditorium or classroom. Either way it is usually not a very comfortable place and waiting for so long is quite boring. Those who have done extra work in the past, even one time, know that it is wise to tote along books, paper, playing cards, knitting, even lap-top computers to keep themselves entertained. Extras are, however, provided with catered meals and a table full of snacks and drinks called craft service, which sits in the holding area and is constantly being re-stocked by a production assistant.
An extra could be on set for hours or just minutes depending on the need. Most background extras are only needed for one shot-the wide shot. When the camera changes position and shoots the actor’s close-up, many times most background extras are dismissed back to the holding area. Sometimes however, they may find themselves on location in the hot sun thinking they may have been forgotten, but are just kept close by in case they are needed in a quick hurry.
On occasion a background extra will find themselves promoted to a featured extra role. This happens on when there are community workers needed such as a scene involving a group of police who run in on a bank robbery. Only one of them actually says something, but he needs back-up...featured extras. This can also be true in restaurant scenes needing waiters or waitresses...etc. Most times the director will choose someone who seems to best fit the part from the group of background extras that had been brought in earlier. This decision is based entirely on look. In extremely rare instances an extra will be in the right place at the right time on set, have a specific look and may find themselves handed a line or two. Though this is rare, it does happen.
Overall, extra work is easy money that includes great food. Some actually make careers of it, but that is not possible unless you have a talent agent. So check out the yellow pages and keep your eyes open for casting calls. Extra work is something everyone should try at least once.
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