I stopped to have a drink earlier today... it's been ages since I've done that and I thought "why not?"
I wasn't eavesdropping on the people near me... I just couldn't help but overhear their very loud conversation. Two women were discussing wanting to get jobs as movie extras so they could hang out with famous people.
I smiled and chuckled to myself a little. It got me to thinking about the Casting Directors I know who have had to cast the extras for movies and television.
If you don't know what an "extra" is, they are the people you see in the background. They don't say anything, but them being there is an extremely important to make a scene realistic.
When you work on mostly low budget films like I do, pretty much anyone who is on set and breathing is thrown into the background at some point. We're rarely paid with money, but we get free food and drinks.
I've never worked on any major studio big budget films, but I listen and learn when the Casting Directors I know talk about it.
Am I an expert on the film industry? God no. Not even remotely close. I have, however, been doing what I do for most of my adult life and absorbed enough information to give solid advice to anyone thinking of being an extra.
Casting Call
Casting Directors will usually put out a casting call to talent agencies or in the film trade publications, social media, craigslist etc. They will be very specific about the type of people they need so read them carefully and only submit yourself if you are what they're looking for.
For a large crowd scene, they'll hire all types of different people. But there are times when they will be looking for very specific traits like ethnicity, height, age, sex, eye color, tall, short, skinny, heavy, tattoos, no tattoos, hair color, long hair, short hair, no hair... you get the idea.
Be sure you follow ALL of the Casting Director's instructions on how to submit for the job.
Headshots
When a Casting Director requires headshots in their casting calls, that means they're looking for a specific type. So if you're serious about being a career extra or developing as an actor, hire a professional photographer who specializes in headshots. That means a closeup photo of your head, very little torso, no full body, nobody in the background... just your head. The headshot needs to look like you. Tone down the makeup, keep your hair simple and wear a mid-tone color shirt like blue or green because they are more flattering. Avoid colors that will blend with your skin tone or bright, loud colors and patterns because they will draw attention away from your face.
If you change your look often, then get new headshots often. If you submit a headshot for a job, and the Casting Director calls you in because of the way you look in the photo, but you don't look like that in person, you won't get hired.
Your contact information and resume should be printed on the back of the headshot. Do not attach a separate piece of paper with that information. If the photo and the paper were to get separated, the Casting Director would have no way of knowing who you are or getting in contact with you and you'll lose out on getting a job.
Selfies
The only time you should submit a selfie for any acting job is if the Casting Director specifically asks you to. Some are known to want a photo of you at that very moment. Just make sure the lighting is good so your skin tone is obvious and don't use filters.
Location
Film makers, low budget or big budget, will only hire background actors who live in the area where the project is being filmed. So, if you live in California, don't submit to jobs that are being filmed on the East Coast. They will not provide you transportation to get there nor will they provide hotel accommodations. Only submit to jobs that are being filmed within a reasonable distance from your home.
Salary
For low budget films like I work on, you'll either be working for free or what is called "deferred payment". That's a legal term in the film industry where the people involved with the project agree to be paid at a later time... usually after the film is in distribution and making a profit. You have to be realistic when it comes to low budget films... it's rare a low budget film will turn a profit so you will more than likely never be paid for it.
For big budget films, they will have a set salary within the SAG-AFTRA rules and area labor laws to pay the extras which may vary depending on what is expected of the extras.
Don't think for a second you'll get hired as an extra by making salary demands. If you attempt it, they won't hire you.
Commitment
If you are hired as a background actor... or any role for that matter, then you had better follow through with it. If another role comes along that interferes with the one you've already been hired for, then turn it down. Always do the job you committed to first.
One thing Casting Directors and Producers won't tolerate, whether the film is low budget or big budget, are "actors" who flake on a project after they've already committed to it. Those Casting Directors and Producers will never consider you for their projects again. Plus, keep in mind that people within the film industry talk to each other and it's likely word will get out about your unprofessional conduct and getting any job will be difficult from that point on.
I personally have had people say they would be there for party or crowd scenes and not show up without any notice. I won't ever consider them again... and if any Producers or Casting Directors ever ask me about them, I'll tell them exactly how they left me in a bad situation and had to scramble to find others to fill the spots.
Non Disclosure Agreement
Non Disclosure Agreement or NDA is a legally binding contract which means no confidential information will be shared. NDAs usually apply to the big budget films but I have had to sign them occasionally for the low budge films too.
Film makers don't want information about their projects being public until the project is complete and ready for distribution; mainly to keep other people from stealing their concept but also to not spoil it for the public before it's released. Nobody is going to pay to see a movie if they already know everything about it.
When you sign that piece of paper, that means you won't disclose anything about the project. If you sneak some photos or videos from the film set and share them on social media or if you say anything to the press, you WILL get caught, you WILL get sued, you WILL lose and you WILL spend a huge chunk of your life paying off the fines. The movie studios can afford much better lawyers than most of us can.
If you do happen to get photos and videos, keep them to yourself until after the film has been released to the public.
Socializing With Celebrities
In low budget film making, it's easier for background people to interact with the main actors than the big budget films.
With the big budget films, there's a lot going on that has to be done with precision timing because, as they say, time is money. You have a very large crew doing their jobs and actors who need to concentrate.
Background actors usually have to wait in a separate area than the main actors until the director is ready to have them on set. The majority of time spent on a film location is waiting in silence for shots to get set up and doing take after take from different angles. You'd be surprised at how much time and work goes into getting a few seconds of a scene you see in the finished product.
The constant waiting, sometimes in unfavorable temperatures, can make people grumpy after a while.
You see in the media sometimes about how actors are snobs to the "little" people on film sets. No they're not. They're working. It's a job, not a social club. They're being paid a lot of money for that job, a lot is riding on their shoulders and they need to focus on what they're doing.
I know actors are very grateful for the background people because they are such a vital part of every project. I'm sure when time permits and depending on how many background actors there are, they will shake hands or pose for selfies, but they can only do so much because they're only human. So, if you're in a movie and you don't get the chance to meet the main actors, don't take it personally.
In Conclusion
It's not my intent to burst your bubble about working as a movie extra. My intent was to give you a realistic view of what to expect. It's not all sunglasses and autographs.
Being an extra is a lot of fun and very rewarding and can sometimes lead to much bigger roles as an actor.
Just follow directions, be professional and you'll do great.
There's a 2012 documentary called Radioman you should check out. That guy knows what it takes to be a professional movie extra.
