What's the best way to become a film extra?

Question

Should you have to pay fees? And does it matter if you're under 18?

Answer 1

You can be under 18, but you have to work with a company that works with kids. If you're in Los Angeles, this is the place http://www.kidsmanagement.com/kids.html. Yes there's a fee and that's normal for companies that hire extras.

If you're over 18:
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.

If you're not in LA, try doing a websearch for your state film alliances, commissions, etc. Search for your state name and the word film and search the sites that come up thoroughly. They often have info on casting and even classes you can take.

good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

Some agencies charge a registration fee and although it is not illegal, it is certainly immoral.
If it is simply for photographs then it is understandable.
You are not guaranteed work and it may be spasmodic unless you are in a city that is regularly used as a location.
Be warned that filming is a laborious industry and it's mostly hanging around doing nothing, particularly for extras.
There is nothing glamorous in it but if you are interested in the technical side, there is enough going on.
Acted scenes comprise a tiny part of the day.
There is no age limit to taking part and there are childrens' agencies for such things.
Alternatively, if there is a film school nearby, you could give your details and appear in student productions.
You'd probably get a leading role, no fee and a cold cup of coffee (if you're lucky).
There are hundreds of these made every year and they vary tremendously in quality.
The primary requirements in our industry are to turn up on time and be alert.
That's it!

Answer 3

This may not help but i found out they where filming the Memphis Belle,the story of a world waf two aeroplane at a disused airfield,went along to watch and ended up as an extra The same thing happened in several of the tv series episodes of Sherlock Holmes My grandfather appears in a lot of black and white films mainly as a driver as he lived in Shepperton and they hired him with his own car Stay Lucky

Answer 4

Yea, you have to be over 18, live mostly in Los Angeles, register with Central Casting a few others. Pay nominal fees. Have a solid, good car and a disposable "day" job.

Answer 5

extras.co.uk