If you’re looking to get a start in the film industry and want some tips on how to become an extra on film sets, we’ve got these here. However, contrary to some people’s belief, becoming an extra on film sets...

If you’re looking to get a start in the film industry and want some tips on how to become an extra on film sets, we’ve got these here. However, contrary to some people’s belief, becoming an extra on film sets is most certainly not the best way to start a career as an actor.

While doing background work may be reward in some ways, it’s important that actors have realistic expectations and go into this for the right reasons.

Some thespians assume that they’re going to be picked up for bigger roles after someone “spots them” among other background performers; unfortunately, that’s highly unlikely. It didn’t work for Brad Pitt or other aspiring performers who attempted this falsely advertised “discover me on set” strategy. Nevertheless, doing extra work on film sets has benefits to you as an actor in a few ways, but more on this later.

READ ALSO: How Much Do Extras Get Paid?

Being an extra on film sets

There are aspiring background performers whose sole focus is to do extra work, and that’s fine if that’s your goal. It’s true that you can make a living by making a name for yourself as a professional background performer, because you’ll just be called more and more often on bigger productions.

That being said, being an extra is not the easiest gig, and here’s why:

You might often have to get up very early for work and leave very late There will be periods of time where you’ll be standing around for hours on the film set doing nothing The pay is not the best either, and there isn’t really much of a “career ladder”

Doing extra work is good if you’re a beginner actor trying to see how a film set works. By doing background work, you’ll get a chance to observe how professional actors, directors and the crew work on a film set, what happens during a shoot and learn from it all.

The pros of becoming an extra are:

You don’t have to audition for parts; you’re only hired based on your looks and sometimes experience. It can potentially be a good opportunity to network, but you must be a really good schmoozer If you’re into that, you can hang out around famous actors (but not bother them) You don’t need to be an actor to become an extra; anybody can decide to be an extra It pays the bills

Once you get a grasp of it, you should move onto bigger things as soon as possible. Why? Because if your goal is to become a professional actor, you don’t want to make a name for yourself as an actor. Believe it or not, reputation in this business carries a lot of weight. So, how to become an extra on film sets and where to start?

RELATED: Acting With No Experience (256-page acting beginner’s guide)

How to Become an Extra on Film Sets

 

The plan of how to become an extra on film sets is pretty simple and straightforward. Here’s a very quick and accurate list of how to become an extra on films sets in three steps.

1. Find Where They Hire Extras

Regardless of your location, it’s likely that there will be at least some companies, whether brick-and-mortar or online, who serve your area and where they find most of their background performers. Find a reputable extras agency and sign up with them. Most of these require membership payments, however.

For example, here are extras agencies and websites in London:

Casting Collective Universal Extras Guys and Dolls Casting Ray Knight Casting

In order to sign up, you’ll need to provide some kind of headshot. These do not have to be as professional as the headshots for acting, and usually just a clear snapshot will do. Then, you’ll need to provide the extras agency with a few details about yourself, such as age, height, eye and hair color and so forth.

Before you register with any film extra agency and pay them any kind of cash, ensure that they are a reputable place and won’t scam you. There’s a whole bunch of fake sites that will only take your money and never submit you for anything.

Reviews of extras agencies online are usually a great resource, and so is their Facebook page. For example, pick a name of an agency or website for extras casting, and Google “[agency name] + reviews” or “[agency name] + scam” and see what comes up.

2. Get Hired as an Extra

Once you’ve registered with an extras agency, two things can happen, depending on their business model. Either this casting agency submits you for random local work where there’s filming going on, or you have to submit yourself for posted filming ads (the latter option is often used with ‘scam sites’).

At this point, it’s all about the waiting. Once your phone rings (or, more rarely, you get that email), you will need to confirm your availability. Do not hesitate, because casting will go through the list very quickly (which is why legit services will almost always call for your confirmation). Confirm that you’re available, and get the necessary details.

Usually this will be provided, but if not, write down:

Location of the shoot Number of shooting days they expect you for Call times Pay (also how much they pay for overtime) On-set contact’s phone number and name

As an example, there’s a great article on Central Casting in LA – the most popular extras casting agency in Los Angeles, the U.S. and probably the world. Read what the author has to say about the whole process of applying, answering the call for the job and what to do next. This same applies to almost all extras agencies in London, the U.K. and elsewhere.

3. Work and Get Paid, then Repeat

After you’ve confirmed your availability, your next step is to show up on time and do what you’re told. You’ll be guided through the process, told exactly where to go, what to do and what not to do. The job of being an extra is easy in one way, but difficult in another way because it involves a lot of standing around and doing nothing.

Another reason why experienced actors often suggest to do background work no more than 3 times is because after the initial few tries, the magic of being on as an extra on film sets wears off. At that point, all you notice is you having to stand around doing nothing for 12 hours. Nevertheless, you can still chat with others and get paid for this.

When you get to the film set, get in touch with the person who’s your contact and they will direct you where to change, where and when to come. There won’t be too much thinking going on throughout the day, so it’s a fairly relaxed (and somewhat boring) job. After the shoot is over, find your contact again and ask for instructions in case they need you back again.

If you’re signed with an agency, then you’ll get paid by that agency rather than the production itself. Every agency runs their ship differently so make sure to check with them on how you’re getting paid, and ask about taxes, related forms and such. Those who are planning to make a living by doing background work need to start taking this seriously from the get-go.

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