Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Living the Life of a Movie Extra

By Ronnie Garcia


Background artists are most commonly known as movie extras. They are those whose roles in a movie do not require much speaking and are expected to blend in with all the other actors. When compared to the professional actors, however, they are not required to have any acting experience. Neither are movie extras required to have a background in acting, belong to a specific ethnic group, have special training related to acting or belong to a certain age bracket. The important thing that movie extras should bear in mind is that they are expected to handle and understand directions well, be reliable, and arrive on the set early.

Not everyone knows that movie extras are outsourced from agencies like the professional actors. This is because it makes it easier for a casting director to search for an extra who has the required specific look for the movie. When in casting, some casting directors also require a certain skill, such as dancing. If you get involved with a talent agency, you may find yourself cast as an extra in some kind of production. This is one of those conversations you'll have to have with your agency. Honesty is a must, which is why you want to choose a reputable agency, one that's not just looking for your money.

With regard to wardrobe, there are times that movie extras will have to bring what they need to wear, and this happens when the production budget is tight. Movie extras are also hired for different time periods. This means that they are needed for just a day while others are needed throughout the filming.

Most of the time, movie extras who are lucky enough to get called in basically just wait for things to happen. They sit down most of the time, just waiting. There are also some who get cast but are not needed as the filming progresses.

With regard to membership in an organization, movie extras are not required to be members of the Screen Actors Guild of the United States or the SAG. The reason for this is that, the SAG only has members who have speaking roles.

It is worth noting, however, that SAG movie extra members receive a different pay rate that those who are not members. Those who are members are given more and better benefits, they receive special assignments from time to time and are provided with their own wardrobe as well. Meanwhile, movie extras who are not members of the SAG are the other way around.

Just because you are a movie extra does not mean that you will become a celebrity instantly. Movie extras are occasionally discovered, the stories happen ll the time. Casting agents may remember something you did previously and give you a chance.

The benefit, however, is that being a movie extra gives you the chance to take a peep into Hollywood life and what an acting career really is. By being an extra, you are given real insight into what it takes to make a movie. This is the reality movie extras face from time to time, and it's a sobering reality. It can be a lot of work to get to that point, but it's often a necessary step in the aspiring actor's career.




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