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Here's our friend Elmer appearing in Stephen King's The Stand on the ABC Television Network.
So, you want to be in a movie or TV show as an extra. I wish you the best of luck. Also, I'll give you some tips... from a guy who's been an extra in at least 30 feature films, TV movies, TV mini-series and episodes of some of your favorite TV shows.
First of all, what's an "Extra" in movie terms? Most people know, but an "Extra" is anyone who appears onscreen but doesn't have a speaking role. (The exceptions to this definition would be when big stars make non-speaking, cameo appearances or when people like Holly Hunter play the part of a mute person. Those aren't "Extras".) The term "Extra" is becoming politically incorrect, and the extras are commonly referred to as "Background Players" or "Atmosphere". But I'll use the term extra because it's shorter.
For me, it was rather easy to become an extra. I live in Utah, where there is a very active film industry and not as many people wanting to be involved in it as there would be in Los Angeles, for example. The local casting directors who are looking for people to work as extras are always looking for new faces. In Los Angeles, they may be able to choose from people who have a lot of acting experience and are trying to "break into" the acting world in a bigger way. So they have the luxury of working with extras who are, in essence, professional actors who are very much aware of how the filmmaking process works. Here, in Utah, most of our extras are people who only work as extras two or three days per month. The rest of the time, they have normal jobs or they're self-employed.
But... how do you get started? From time to time, casting directors will run advertisements in the local newspapers to announce they're looking for extras. Sometimes they want people for a specific project which is coming to town. Other times they just want to meet new people whose names they can have on file for a variety of future projects. Usually, they'll want a photograph of you, along with information about your height, age, etc. They'll keep this information on file and they'll telephone you when they can use you. For me, those telephone calls often came at the last minute and I had to have an extremely flexible personal schedule. It helps when you can immediately say "Yes, I will be there" instead of "Let me check my schedule and call you back." Tell your employer or anyone else who might require your time that you will, on occasion, be taken away from your normal schedule now that you're interested in working as an extra. Make sure they know you need a flexible schedule and they will be understanding when you get movie jobs at the last minute.
If you're not seeing those newspaper ads I'm telling you about, you can seek out a casting director. Look for them in the telephone book or, better yet, contact a local Film Commission in your area. In Utah, there's a state Film Commission which is always trying to attract film and TV projects to the state. Most states have a Film Commission office. Furthermore, a lot of major cities have their own Film Commission offices. If there's any amount of filmmaking activity in your area, then start asking around about the Film Commission. The Film Commissioners can refer you to a casting director who will, no doubt, be looking for a few good extras.
Once you've been asked to work as an extra, there are some simple things to keep in mind. Like any other kind of job, your employer is looking for someone who is reliable, who listens closely to instructions and follows those instructions... and someone who doesn't complain a lot. When you're working as an extra, you're not being paid an awful lot (especially in comparison to other actors or other people on the crew). I always say "I know my place in the food chain." In other words, don't get upset when the extras are the last people in the lunch line or when the extras don't have a nice, warm place to wait for their next cue. Remember, you're not there to be treated like a star... so don't start complaining when they don't treat you like a star!
As long as you are reliable, you listen to instructions, you follow instructions, you don't complain and you are, in other ways, "easy to work with" it's a sure bet they'll ask you to return to work as an extra in the future. Here in Utah, there are just a few casting directors and they will work on a wide variety of TV shows or feature films. Once you've worked as an extra for any of them and you've had a pleasant experience (and you didn't cause anyone to dislike you) then they'll be anxious to ask you to return for another day or for another project.
I'll be happy to answer any other, specific questions you have and I'll develop an FAQ list. But let me just give you some other tips now...
Casting Directors
Don't be offended if a casting director seems a little harsh. It's just the nature of their business. They have to call dozens of people every day. They have to explain to dozens of extras how to find the next day's location, for example. And, on the day you contact a casting director, they may not be looking for extras. Quite simply, they may or may not want to chat with you at length. But that doesn't mean they won't want you later. Just find out if they have an address where you can send a short resume and a photograph and let them know you're interested. It's as simple as that. If a lot of time passes and they still haven't called, you may want to contact them again... but don't bug them every day! These folks get annoyed just as easily (if not more so) as anyone else. Be patient.
Acting vs. Background Work If you want to be an actor with speaking roles, you'll want to go to a talent agent. Under film industry rules, casting directors must work through talent agents in order to cast speaking roles. But they can contact you directly if they're looking for non-speaking, background players. So, it's up to you. Some talent agents will represent you if you only want to work as an extra, but you don't need that. Why should you pay an agent if you don't need to?
If you'd like to work as an extra in preparation for becoming a speaking actor, then find an agent. Talk to a few talent agents before you decide which one you want representing you. It's true that some talent agents aren't interested in anything but getting money from you, so choose carefully.
Photographs
The photographs we send to the casting directors (when we simply want to work as extras) don't have to be fancy, professional portraits. The casting people simply want to know what you look like. And, since they're usually seeking average-looking background players, you don't want any fancy photographs which might portray the way you usually don't appear... if you know what I mean. If you're going to seek speaking roles through an agent, you'll want professional photographs taken (and, once again, they should be pictures which look the way you look... not fancy, glamour photos which make you look like someone else).
Location, Location, Location
It helps if you live in a city (or near one) where there's a lot of filming taking place. For example, if I lived in Natchez, Mississippi, where they only make one movie every couple of years, I wouldn't be able to get a lot of experience as an extra. If I lived in Salt Lake City, there are two TV series here and a number of feature films or TV movies each year... so there's a lot of opportunity. If I lived in Los Angeles, there are a lot of shows being made but there are also an awful lot of people who want to work as extras. So... in this case, my greatest opportunities to work often would be in Salt Lake City. But is it worth it to move to Salt Lake City just to work as an extra? No.
Be Realistic (Know your place in the Food Chain)
Don't expect to earn a great income as an extra. Some years ago, there was a movie starring Billy Crystal and Alan King called Memories of Me. In the story, King was Crystal's father. Crystal always thought his father was an actor but, as it turned out, the man had made a living as an extra for his entire career. That movie was absolutely implausible. First of all, you can't make a living as an extra, period. You've got to have another source of income. The pay for working as an extra is too low and you can't do it full time. Secondly, in that movie, they portrayed King as a guy who was difficult to work with but who continued to find work as an extra. In the real world, if you're difficult to work with, the casting directors stop calling you!
Don't Go Nuts
When you go to work as an extra, you'll find the job can be extremely boring and non-rewarding. Some people simply can't handle it. You may be asked to arrive several hours before they actually need you on the set. They may use you and then ask you to wait for several hours until they use you a second time. Don't start complaining about this. Be aware that this is the arrangement you agreed to.
The first day I worked as an extra, I was there for 14 hours! I was in a short scene in the morning and then I had to wait 12 hours (while wearing a heavy, uncomfortable costume) until they used me at the end of the day. This may happen to you too. So... take a book or a magazine or something you can do to pass the time quietly.
In my case, I was paid by the day. So let's say, for example, they offer you $75 per day to work as an extra and they actually only need you for an hour before they let you go home. You still get paid $75. Let's say they kept you for 12 hours and they didn't even use you on camera... and then they let you go home. You still get paid $75 because you came to work and did what they told you to do. Let's say they kept you for 14 hours (whether or not they used you on camera). In my case, I get overtime pay for everything beyond the initial 12 hours. If you're extremely concerned about the financial aspects of working as an extra, then ask questions before you commit yourself to the job.
It can be fun, but you're there to do a job...
Pay close attention if you don't know a lot about the filmmaking process. For example, the sound equipment can pick up some of the most subtle sounds around the set. If you, as an extra, are making noise off camera somewhere then you're going to make a lot of people upset. I've watched extras who've tried to make calls on their cellular phones during filming... or who've loudly turned pages in their magazines during filming... or who listen to music with headphones but the volume is so loud that others around them can hear it. This is all bad etiquette around a movie set. The two, best things you can do as an extra are 1) Follow instructions closely and 2) Make it a habit to always be as quiet as possible.
Movie Stars!
Yes, one of the nice things about working as an extra is that you may have the chance to meet and talk with some celebrities whom you've admired for years. You'll find that most movie stars (or TV stars) are very friendly, nice people. Those who are truly talented and self-assured will be good to you. It's the ones who really aren't very talented who are generally nasty to other people. But, even if you have the good fortune to meet a talented, nice movie star, you've got to be very cautious about the way you approach them. If the actor, for example, is just moments away from acting out a very emotional scene, then it's generally not a good idea to walk up and say "Hey, can I have your autograph?" They need that moment to prepare themselves for the performance they're about to do. However, if you can catch that same actor in the lunch room and ask to chat for a moment, then that's usually just fine. When the actor is on the set, he is working and shouldn't be disturbed. When he's not working, you can usually say hello. But, remember, these people don't know you as well as you know them and you can't expect them to want to talk to you all day long. Sometimes, the Production Assistants will specifically ask that you don't disturb the movie stars. If that's what you've been told, then you'd better follow instructions.
I've watched people walk up to famous directors and say "Oh, it's so nice to meet you. I've always loved your work and I think you're the greatest director who every lived." The director will usually respond with a polite "Thank you." But this isn't a great way to start a conversation. I've walked up to one of those same directors and said "I'm wondering why you choose to make most of your films in a wide-screen, CinemaScope aspect ratio" and it turns into a truly interesting conversation. Now... I'm not suggesting that you try to start every conversation with something about CinemaScope, but it's better to ask a question than to simply gush praise all over someone who happens to be famous. Still, there have been times when I've realized that all I should say is "It's a pleasure to meet you" and the famous person appreciates that... but they really don't want to have a conversation with me.
