What types of experience should one have if they want to be an extra?

Question

I was interested in possible work as an extra and wanted to know if an Acting class is essential or helpful. Is some type of training necessary or...

Answer 1

All you need is time and at least some common sense. Don't look at the camera, don't hassle the actors, and don't touch craft service unless invited. :-)

If you're in Los Angeles, check out these sites:

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.

Central also does NY extras casting. For other parts of the country, you can see if your state has a film alliance / commission / society or whatever your state calls theirs (some have more than one). Sometimes they post audition information for projects filming locally. Just do a web search for your state and the word film and see what comes up.

good luck

Answer 2

I have been an extra a few times and Acting is not even considered, sometimes they want to shy away from people who have acting classes (not actual jobs-that will help) because they do not want them to "do anything stupid, while trying to act" and being an extra is not acting. But they will pay you well and every once in a while if you look the part you will have a "big" extra scene (you may be in front of the camera for a sec.) At the extras casting call just fill out the paperwork as clearly as possible and have all of your sizes (dress, suit, pants, etc.) and list as many RELEVANT qualifications as possible. ie if this is for a scene where they will be at a park... put skateboarding and Frisbee and football etc. Get the point? So congratulations being an extra is fun and pays well. If you are lucky they will put you in front of the camera or bump into the star or something... HAVE FUN !!!

Answer 3

Transportation

Answer 4

Generally you don't need any experience, you just need to show that you can take instructions and follow them. Directors aren't looking for extras to display any talent; they're expected to do exactly as told, and no acting/interpretation is really needed.

The harder part is figuring out what you need to do to break out of the ranks of extras. :)

Answer 5

I do extras, you have to know the right people to be in the industry, I also have my wavers and in the SAG, it's diffucult, extras are lots of fun, but it gives you experience and a stepping stone 4 ur reseume

Answer 6

You need a car, that's about it.