how do people get picked to be an extra?

Question

like an extra on movies, how do people get picked to be in a movie? or even know about it?

Answer 1

It depends on the procedure in the city where you live. Ask your actor friends, they can probably guide you on the procedure. In NYC, I think they look at the actor's headshot and call and ask him/her if there is an interest in doing Extra work.

Answer 2

You have to be where the movie is being shot. The casting director puts adverts in the local papers and you just show up. I've been in 5 or 6 movies as an extra... but all I've ever gotten is a hot dog or a stale sandwich... but it's still a fun way to spend a day or two

Answer 3

Some actors do mostly extra work.

You can pretty much navigate your career around that if you wanted to. There are casting directors that specialize in casting for extras. You can search for them and find them. You can then contact them just as you would agents or other casting directors or production companies and submit yourself for their data base. When something comes up for your profile, they will call you. If you have a look that is often requested and they call you a lot and you are often available, you become for them a safety net. You become 'old faithful' because you make their job easier. They know that all they have to do is call you and you will be available.

The reason that is so appreciated is because casting extras means that often times they have to find a lot of people for a scene. The more people they have in their data base on whom they can depend to be available, the better.

Hope that helps.

Tony
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com