How do you become a regular extra or cast member in motion pictures?

Answer 1

To become a 'regular extra' in any project you make friends with the A.D. (Asistant Director) So when you get your first day's work, the guy or girl that's ordering you around all day is the one that will be calling people for work the next day. He/she will call the company that hired you and say how many they need for the next day (or week or whatever) of work. Make nice and they may hire you directly. It's actually requesting you directly. Your name goes on a list and you will still get paid through the company that hired you in the first place.

As far as geting hired in the first place, where are you? If you're in Los Angeles, start here:

http://www.centralcasting.org/LA/actors/registration.html
http://billdancecasting.com/
http://extrasaccess.com/

Central and Bill Dance charge a fee to join and yes that is normal for companies that hire extras. They are not 'agents' they are companies that do a service and that's that. ExtrasAccess is new to me. It's an offshoot of ActorsAccess which is more for people looking for principal work and even though I've never used it, I trust it because of the people it comes from. Getting started is free, I'm sure there's a fee along the way somewhere, but I've never used it so I don't know where that comes in.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Granted the bulk of this information only applies to California but may apply elsewhere also.

The mainstay of extras casting in Hollywood is a place called Central Casting. They do a large majority of the shows and movies in town when they need background performers or extras. To apply you pay a small fee for enrollment (I think it's around 15 dollars or so), they will take a photograph of you and your vital information including measurements and contact info. From there you go into an electronic database that casting directors can search through. If they find you and like you, and of course if you're available they will call you to set up a call time or a fitting. And you're in!

There are other places such as HollywoodOS and quite a few casting offices in town that are now specializing in hiring extras. You can also check out the listings on web sites like LACasting and Now Casting for a list of projects that are looking for extras.

If there is a particular movie or show that you want to try to get work on you can find out who does their casting and get in touch directly with them.

The other way is to show up at lots, but this is not really recommended, and you will in all honesty find the work days few and far in between doing it this way. Generally speaking you don't need experience to do background work. They may give you a small action to perform (Though it will never be anything too demanding or physically stressfull) and rarely they may give you a line or two.

Background performers work long hours for relatively low pay (non union is around minimum wage or a little higher. Rates go up for union performers) as compared to their stand in, featured and day player brotheren. But if you're looking for something fun to do or want to try to find a way into the business it's a great place to start. Many a celebrity has started out in the back!

Answer 3

First of all you need to decide:
1) If this is what you really want to do.
2) Do you have the time for it as filming is sporadic and when it does come up can be long hours.
3) Do you want to do it full or part - time?
4) Is it going to be just a laugh, for extra income or just to really get to see all your favourite celebs/actors up close?
5) Is it fulfilling your secret desire to be famous?

Then you will need to do a search maybe through Yahoo to bring up all the Agencies. Try to stay away from 'Dodgy ones' who take your money and give nothing in return.

You will need to get a Black and white standard 10 x 8 photo for the agency books.

And sign up with a reputable agent who will give you lots of work.

A couple of great extra agencies are: Mad Dog, Uglies, Ray Knight and the list goes on....

You could be working on Eastenders to the new Bond Movie in no time.

Just remember the filming/shooting takes a lot of patience and can be boring at times. Try to stay happy even when bored and production teams soon pick up on this and can feed this back to your agent along with feedback on punctuality and co-operation etc...

Have fun hope to see you on the big screen soon!

Answer 4

Is this what u really want to do? Be prepared for long hours of waiting and waiting, and it can be between midnight and sunrise, any time of the day as the Director sees fit. Repeated takes over and over again, so you must have great patience and tolerance, but all for a very SMALL fee.
However if you have the right looks, personality and X factor, then a great future awaits you. You may be cast for key roles, even as an actor. Ordinary guys have made their fortune in this way. Go for it ! It's worth a try!

Answer 5

Most people in the industry buy a newspaper called "the stage" you can order from your local newsagents. Lots of adverts and information. It also has a section of contracts available.So when you get your first contract you must join equity :) Anyway there are also agencies that advertise for extra's just be careful as some are unscrupleous.... High cost with no chance of contracts. So before joining one check them out properly to make sure they are not a con.... Good Luck

Answer 6

Sorry but the other replies were too tedious to read. Do what i did, get the cheapest ticket to Almeria and you will very quickly find a job as an extra. You don't have to say a word. Come back to UK and do as I did - trawl the London theatres for chorus/soundless parts at Barbican, all the main theatres and the tiny audience/singing theatre down in Cornwall.

Answer 7

just search extras in google or info.net, i m a member of star now listings they charge a small fee to send the listings to your phone but i don't think there is a web site that does not charge. try reading stage magazine as well.

Answer 8

Rada,? hang around film studios,scan the papers for filming sites,( the last one was at The Lighthouse in Poole) if you are in the right place at the right time you may become more than just an extra.Equity card helps.

Answer 9

in case you % to alter into an further you havet to bypass to a image shot in a holtel. it truly is going to advertize in papers so save a pay attention, besides get you photograph taken then wait each week or 2 and you gets a letter asserting think approximately however after which you will be asked to bypass in backgrounds of diverse soaps ok! stable success in case you % my answer!

Answer 10

Look on internet for film /tv agencies and join one There are quite a few on line as well. Good luck