Monday, January 3, 2011

What You Need to Know About Movie Extras

By Margaret Robertson


Movie extras are those whose roles do not require lots of speaking. Also known as background artists, movie extras are expected to blend in with the rest of the other actors while filming. However, compared to professional actors, acting experience is not required. Movie extras can be anyone from different backgrounds, trainings, ethnicity or of a different age group. What extras need to take note of is that they should be able to take direction, they should be reliable, and they should arrive on the set early.

Not many people know that extras also come from agencies. Most of the time, a film will require a certain look, and the director will have to cast an extra based on that look. Requirements like this will almost always include requiring an extra to have a specific skill such as dancing. These are discussions you'd have with your agency, so it's really important that you develop a good relationship with an honest agency, rather than one that is out to take your money. There are many of those out there, so do your research beforehand and get ready for some honest conversations.

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.

There are also instances when movie extras are called in for filming but they just stand around all day waiting for the director's call. In cases like this, they basically wait. Sometimes, there are movie extras who gets the job, but eventually does not get called for filming, maybe because the part was removed from the script.

On the other hand, extras are also protected and are given the same working conditions as the professional actors. However, for extras who are members of the SAG, they receive union scale payments with an extra compensation for overtime work, special assignments, and costumes. Movie extras who are not members, however, are hired only when a specific number of SEC extras have been hired and the production needs more. Generally speaking, extras who do not have a union are paid less than those who are members of a union.

Even without being a member of the SAG, movie extras are still protected and are also provided with the same working conditions as other actors, professional or not. However, for extras who are members of the SAG, they are given better and more benefits such as higher pay and extra compensation, wardrobe as well as special assignments.

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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