How do I become an Actor in commercials, an extra, cast, or crew member?

Question

I have acted in productions in high school and college. I have not pursued any professional acting role but always thought that it would be fun. I do not have any formal training, but have found that I do have some natural ability. Does anyone have any advice, in this area, for someone with little "resume" experience? I am looking especially for advice from those that are currently working or have worked in this industry, though any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thank you for the great responses.. I live in Tampa, Florida..I am about 1 1/2 hours west of Orlando. Local opportunities a preferred. I am starting off part-time and see where this leads.

Answer 1

Where are you located? Your questions all have widely varying answers and it can depend on where you are as well! I'm in Los Angeles. First, to do commercials you should get into a great improv class (or two) and you'll need an agent, but to get an agent you'll need to build your resume. To build your resume I suggest doing student films and spec commercials, anything that will give you good material for your demo reel.

If you want to find a legitimate agent to represent you for commercials, TV & film go to Sag.org. Use the dropdown menu on the right labeled 'resources' and choose 'agent information'. On the next screen, on the left choose 'Find a SAG franchised agent' and follow the directions. You can look up agents all over the US, but there are higher concentrations where the work is (Los Angeles, NY, IL, FL, GA etc.)

Then you can send them your headshot, resume, and a cover letter stating that you are seeking representation and wait to see if they call you in for an interview.

Once you have an agent, they will get you the auditions, but until then you can check out actorsaccess.com. You can also see if your state has a film alliance. Sometimes they post audition information for projects filming locally. For theatre, you can go to backstage.com or http://www.actorsequity.org/castingcall/... If you find the audition on the Equity site, you still may be able to go, as long as their not taking appointments from equity actor's only :-) On backstage.com you have to pay to get all of the info, but the initial search is free and you may be able to see enough info to find out the rest on your own without paying.

Backstage is a good resource (depending on where you live) to find student films, indies, spec commercials, theatre auditions, etc. They do have crew calls as well, but you may need to have prior experience. I suppose it's worth a look, hmmm?

Extra Work: This is mostly specific to LA (except Central Casting does work in NY too and though I've never used extrasaccess they may have things all over)
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.com is new to me. It's an offshoot of ActorsAccess.com 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.

As for crew, I'm not sure where to help you there. I have friends that work crew, but I have no clue how they started! I imagine it begins with their specific trade, but perhaps someone else can shed more light on that. I know one friend of mine is a carpenter and ended up running a company that builds sets and is currently sworn to secrecy on the location of the new Indiana Jones set :-) He likes teasing us about it, but anyway.... There are internships as well. That's another way to get work on set, but of course you wouldn't get paid...

OK, I hope I've answered at least most of your questions!

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

Enroll in an acting class.
Most large cities have a Casting Director that will cast Extras. Call him or her and ask the procedure to become an extra. You can ONLY work as an Extra if there is a movie or commercial being filmed in you city.

You did not indicate which USA city.
Call the office of the mayor and ask if they have a website with upcoming movie and television productions.

In NYC we have a film/tv commission website that lists all tv, movies, etc being filmed in NYC.

Answer 4

Do some work in theater in whatever city you are in. If you do really well, you will get reviewed by the local papers. Save these clippings and start to build a "press kit" about yourself and the plays you have been in. Over time, if you are good, your work will be recognized even if you are in Peoria. Then you can move to the next largest city in your area and start again, acting in more plays and getting more reviews. Eventually you will be ready to come to LA or New York, depending on your desire to work in film or theater. When you get here, start over again, and this time start taking acting workshops with reputable acting coaches with whom you can network if they feel you are good enough. Talent is like cream, if it's good enough, it will rise to the top, you will be noticed and your career will take off. The big question you have to ask yourself is: Do I really love to act, or do I really want the adulation, attention, fame, power and money that comes with stardom? If it is the latter, stick to your day job. This is the most competitive industry in the world. You will be competing for work with guys like Brad Pitt, Sir Peter O'Toole and Harrison Ford (can you hang?)
Regarding the post below, NEVER pay for access to a website, you will never get a legitimate job. The 'extra's' casting companies also charge a fee and get you a job that sucks with no dialogue, making about $65 day. Any legitimate talent agent francjised by the Guild, will not even look at your submission, they get about 100-200 everyday!
Indiana Jones is currently filming in Santa Fe, New Mexico and then they are going to Maui. No big secret