I'd like some advice regarding how to describe the work/skills involved with being an "extra" in a movie...
(Don't worry, the movies were "The Breakup" & "Legally Blonde II." They weren't anything weird...)
Anyway, I'm having some difficulty figuring out what to write because I want it to sound a little better than "I stood around all day, moving on & off the set, & pretending to clap/dance/bowl/etc."
Note: This is for a legal job - so it has to sound good : )
Thanks so much!
PS I apologize for posting this question again, but I didn't realize that there was a forum for questions about employment (duh!)
2006-08-20 09:34:53 · 5 answers · asked by Seeka007 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Response to "Mislabeled:"
No, the job that I'm seeking has no direct link to my jobs as an "extra." However, despite that fact, it belongs on my resume because it illustrates the fact that I was gainfully-employed over the course of those two summers. It's important not to leave large gaps of time in one's work history - for me, this means including these two jobs.
This question was simply posed in order to get some ideas about how to describe one's work as an "extra" in a way that shows skills which are transferable to other jobs.
(FYI: I'm in law school - and am not trying to become an actor, so being "laughed out of town" is hardly a concern of mine. In fact, I had a speaking role & was in the theatrical preview for one of the movies, so it's kind of difficult to make it look like "more than it is.")
2006-08-20 16:25:50 · update #1
If the job you are applying for is a "legal" job...I take it you mean a position with a legal firm. That being the case...your "extra" work doesn't need to be elaborated on. It was simply "extra work". However, if your applying for a job in media/entertainment/television/etc., it may then necessitate elaboration.
2006-08-20 09:45:00 · answer #1 · answered by Serena M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They know what an extra does in the acting business. Unless you had a line, did something unique or specific (i.e. playing someone that is dead) just add that you've done background work. Mark down the Agency your with (if you have one.) Your hair & eye colour, height & weight. You should add any special skills that you have. A skill or something that you might not think worth noting might just be what their looking for. They also look at your education in the acting field (i.e. If you've taken any courses...where and with whom.) I was in the acting business for quite a few years and these were some of the things they were looking for. Break a leg!
2006-08-20 09:58:01 · answer #2 · answered by Lei-Loo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does whatever skill you acquired by standing around pretending to do stuff relate to the job you're seeking? If it's not in entertainment, there's no reason for it to be on your resume. If it is in entertainment, you definitely should not have extra gigs on it trying to make it look like more than it is. You're not the first to try that and you'll be laughed out of town.
2006-08-20 10:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by misslabeled 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd create a category called "theatrical performances" and describe it as "supernumenary characterization as directed." You don't have to explain everything you ever do in a job.
2006-08-20 09:43:47 · answer #4 · answered by lee m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make it simple. "Employed as an extra in XXX production company for the filming of XXX.
2006-08-20 09:41:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋