Does anyone know of a legitimate way to find extra work in movies or on tv shows?

Answer 1

Where do you live? In SoCal, you sign up with Central Casting or Bill Dance Casting (there are others, but those are the main ones). You do pay a fee, but I assure you that is normal for companies that handle Extras. It's about $25-35, they take your picture to put in their computer and you call to check their work-line every day to see what's available. I believe that's how it works, but when you sign up they tell you what you need to do. Once you get on a show or two, you learn who to talk to about getting work directly (sometimes without going through the extras casting agency). Usually it's an AD (Assistant Director) just be friendly :-)

If you're under 18, there's a company that I thought was called Kids Background Talent, but when you go to the website it's called Kids Management now. It's the same process except that I believe they require parents to have a pager so that when work comes up they can page the parents who need to call back and let them know if the child is available.

If you're in another state, check with your state's film alliance or whoever is in charge of trying to get production companies to film locally. Many times they post information on their websites when a production needs locals to work as extras. They may even have a company that handles that locally.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Find an agency that specialises in extras, for a legit one try:
www.agentsassociation.com
Then send a head shot and a bit about yourself to an agency you like, if you get no reply send another to a different agency next week and so on until you get an agent.
You know those envelopes that have a clear plastic part where people put an address from the letter. Instead put a small headshot there, agents get so many letters its good to be able to see the person before they even open the letter
Hope this helps and good luck!!

Answer 3

If you live in NYC or LA it's really easy. You just sign up with one or more of the agencies that handle that. If you don't live in one of those places keep an ear to the ground as to when a production is coming to town. They should have hired someone local to handle the extras casting or have a direct contact.

Answer 4

I assume you mean in New York City? If so, mail your headshot/resume to the Casting Directors that casts extras.

For NYC: Look on The Mayor's Office of Televison and Motion Picture Production, to find out what is shooting in NYC.

Buy a copy or Ross Reports, I'm not sure, but they
may have contact information for Casting Directors for "Extras."

In some cities there are "Extra Casting Directors"
Ask your actor friends for contact information for the
"Extra Casting Directors" in your city.

Every year hundreds of movies are shot in NYC.

Answer 5

Get a copy of the Ross Reports, it's a complete listing of agents and films accepting mail-ins for films and tv right now. Also look at Backstage though this time of year I don't think there's a lot going on.

Answer 6

Go to www.craigslist.com go up under jobs click on tv/radeo/ something else also click which state you want. It is free and thats were I get casted as an extra.