What can being a movie Extra achieve?

Question

I have recently applied to be a movie Extra in a movie,As this is my first time,what can I achieve from this? What can being a movie extra achieve?
Will this be a start for me in movie business?
My dream is to be an actor,so what will this do for me? Please give me information on this,I will be pleased. Thank You's. X X X

Answer 1

I am a bit skeptical of what people are suggesting about being an extra.

Realistically if you are in North America - it is all about unions and the like. It comes down to agents and contracts.

When you are an extra - or a background performer, as those that are like to call themselves, it is a faceless career. Agents themselves will say this is not the usual way to become noticed. You cannot create a show reel of faceless performances - where you see yourself fleetingly pass the screen. I can visualise the number of rewinds to capture that perfect moment when you are in the centre of the screen for a millisecond and the hair is only partially covering the exposed eye. Sorry - I am getting carried away, but really - I do think it is not the road to go down if you want to become a performer.

If you wish to act and want to be in films - you need to get a show reel going. My recommendation - is to work on uni films and get yourself out there on projects - find yourself an agent and work yourself that way. A lot of agents will request you do some training. Some recommend voice training, accents, etc, it depends on the agent and your abilities in front of a camera.

This is my final point - stage is not the same as in front of a camera - which is obvious, but a lot of people will recommend theatre to buff the skills - not really the same thing. I am not saying stage performers are not great actors - far from the contrary. What I am saying is that not all stage performers work in a film setting - it is a preferance thing and all about the ease on the camera - chunking a scene up into parts.

Either way - good luck with whatever route you choose!

Answer 2

At the very least, you will get to see how a film set operates and experience the set atmosphere.

Some people just getting into the business use Extra work as a means of Networking. Since there is so much downtime on sets, you mingle with other extras and probably PA's and Set wranglers and you can ask them questions and probably pick up some tips.

Seasoned extras try and collect SAG vouchers, which can be parlayed into admittance into the Screen Actors Guild. Competition the vouchers though is kinda fierce and there usually aren't many...if any.

Sometimes extras get bumped up to speaking parts! It does happen. And if thats the case you usually get a pay raise and sometimes SAG eligibility. (here is a tip, don't complain! Seem really eager to do whatever. AD's like that and would probably want to pick you over an extra with a diva attitude)

As an extra, your job is to do whatever they tell you to do. The hours are long (it ould be 16hr days at minimum wage). The conditions can suck (3am, 40degree weather on a mountain top) and there isn't alot of stuff to do on set. You will spend most of your time waiting for the Grips to adjust lighting or the AC to get a new battery. So bring a book.

Remember to turn off your phone. Biggest faux pas would be to have your phone ring on set. And please don't bother the stars on set. They can be neat to watch, but nothing sucks more than an extra pissing off an actor for a lock of his hair(Seriously that happened once and they kicked him off set). Also don't take pictures UNLESS someone said it was okay before hand. Depending on the film, that could get you kicked off set immediatly.

A lot of actors worked as extras. Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Ian Somerholden was picked out of a crowd of extras. Some people in LA even are extras for a living. At the very least you get a taste of teh industry and see if it's something you would actually want to pursue. I hope you have fun.

Answer 3

Being an extra for any television show or movie can give you experience in what really goes on behind the scenes. However, I regret to say that extras are ten a penny. Please don't take offence by this, but many people do it for their fifteen minutes of fame. May I suggest that you talk to others while on set. Ask them how they got on in the business, and ensure you gain membership of the British Actors union Equity, assuming you are in the UK. Entertainment is a hard business, and only a few make it to stardom. However, keep trying. Another way to introduce yourself to the movie business is to take on work backstage at any high profile venue. You get to meet many celebrities, and they can often offer help and advice. I have been in entertainment for thirty years, but enjoy writing and producing rather than acting. ( hate learning my script ) Hope this helps, and I wish you all the best.

Answer 4

At the very least it gives you something to put on your cv or resume.

You can also get an insight to what it means working in the film industry.

There is lots of waiting around, whether it is for lights, set ups, weather, other actors etc.

Do not be a pain to the main actors in the movie, but do speak to the gophers, assistants and other assorted workers as their insights could be very helpful to you.

Also, you could offer assistance to them when you're not needed for shooting - and this could help them remember you in future productions if someone is needed or someone hasn't turned up.

Good luck to you - go for your dream and remember you have to walk before you can run. Do not get disheartened if it takes a while. Just keep going for it.

xx

Answer 5

Sounds like a really interesting job, better than doing 9-5 somewhere. Can't think of any movie stars who started out as being an extra though.

Answer 6

Being an extra on set will give you a chance to get your face out there in the business as well as give you references to add to your resume when you are auditioning for roles. Plus, if nothing else, it's a chance to get a little extra cash in your pocket if you're lucky!
Good luck with your dream!!