Being an extra is a good way to easily earn some money, get the chance to see a movie up close, and maybe get noticed on the big screen. Here's how to get a part.
Steps
Step 1. Get a close-up shot of yourself
There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on photographs for just one extra job. As the name suggests, a close-up shot is a photo that focuses on the face. The head and shoulders may also appear, or you can send a photo of you from the waist up.
- It doesn't have to be a professional photo; you can ask a friend to take a picture of your face with a digital camera, and then print it so that its dimensions are 20 x 25 cm if the agency asks you for a hard copy.
- Get in touch with photographers in your city to find out the rates. Do not rely only on those published on the site. Since your needs are quite simple, you might get a great shot at an affordable price.
- Have them printed according to your needs. You will probably have to change the close-up shot every few months.
Step 2. Prepare to look your best in the shot
Don't send anything too provocative or informal. The hair should be styled and the makeup applied carefully.
- As for make-up, you can turn to a make-up artist. You don't necessarily have to spend a lot, it won't be difficult to find a make-up artist who will be able to guarantee you a natural look, capable of enhancing you in flash photos.
- Watch the makeup artist at work and ask him for advice so you can recreate the look.
- If your makeup collection abounds in neutral shades, ask the makeup artist to use colors that you usually apply and that make you feel comfortable.
Step 3. Use a photo that actually portrays you
This is not the right time to send a glamorous shot or a picture of you in disguise for Halloween. A close-up shot should be a good personal photo, nothing fancy. For some castings they may ask you for photographs in which you personify a certain character, such as a zombie, but in that case they will let you know.
Step 4. Have a snapshot available in electronic format
Many casting companies now rely on the web, so prepare a photo to send by e-mail. Use the appropriate size for your email, which is 8 x 12cm, so that recipients can view it without problems.
Step 5. I use a recent close-up shot
You may want to update the photograph so that it is current and represents your actual look. Make a new photo every time you change your style (lose weight, gain weight, switch from long to short, change hair color, etc.).
Do not send a retouched photo. Casting agencies will expect you to look the same as in photography. If you are totally different in person, that could put an end to the working relationship, even before you have a single chance
Step 6. Scroll through the ads
Take a look at the newspapers that post job advertisements, possibly looking for the section dedicated to auditions. Also, there are sites that post extra opportunities. If you live in an area where movies are frequently filmed, such as Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver, you may find such ads in the local newspaper without difficulty.
Step 7. Send the requested information as professionally as possible
They may ask you for your age, weight, height, hair and eye color. Do not lie; if you show up and find out that you are a minor, that your height does not exceed 1.50 m and that your overweight is excessive, they will assume that you are not someone they can trust. Casting agencies need people of all sizes, shapes and ages, but various projects require different people at different times. Your true fitness and age may be just what they are looking for. Better to be honest.
This is certainly not the right time to tell the examiners that you are a fan of them. I'm not looking for weird fanatics, but for people capable of acting professionally
Step 8. Contact a talent agency
Don't forget this solution. Find an ad online, or if you're willing to travel, give it a try by clicking www.centralcasting.org, which is the industry's largest casting agency in the United States. Send a snapshot of your close-up and resume, then call to complete your application.
Step 9. Never pay
The extras are fully dependent and are paid by the production. No legitimate casting or talent agency will ever ask you to pay in order to give you a part. A company that makes such a request is going to trick you. Also, avoid agencies that demand payment for photo books, lessons, or reservations before assigning you a job.
Step 10. Get ready
When you get your first role, ask what you will need. Most productions will require you to carry your own clothes and arrive at the fresh make-up and hair set. Read the instructions carefully! It's best not to apply for the sake of it, especially if you don't have the right wardrobe for a particular scene. For example, if you don't have scrubs, you shouldn't apply to be an appearance on a project that requires all participants to dress this way.
- Your clothing will be approved by an expert, who may also choose an alternative combination of the clothes you have with you or ask you to borrow something from the production wardrobe, provided there is one available. It is always more professional to go prepared on set rather than risk having to leave because you forgot your bag at home. Not all productions offer a selection of clothing to extras.
- They may require you to dress for a certain season, so be prepared for the possibility of opening the closet where you store shorts and shirts even in the winter.
- They may require you to bring three to four different outfits with you. Read the instructions carefully and place alternative clothing in your bag. But clothes are not enough: you will also need shoes, jewelry, pieces of costume jewelry and bags for every outfit. If you are a girl, remember to prepare a strapless bra in a neutral color.
- Avoid wearing and packing clothes with a flashy logo. Now is not the time to advertise your favorite band or look like a billboard for your favorite designer. If they have agreements regarding the use of certain logos, they will include this information in the instructions. If you show up with a shirt or hat with the logo in plain sight, they will almost certainly ask you to change. If you don't have a certain item, they may ask you to leave.
- They will probably forbid you from wearing wild prints, bright colors, reds, whites and sometimes blacks. Productions that use green backgrounds for CGI may ask you to avoid green.
- Don't pack monochromatic clothes. If the star is wearing a purple dress, they'll ask you to wear a different color. However, they will not always know what the lead actress will be wearing and may not be able to communicate this information to you in time.
- Iron your clothes, pass an adhesive brush to remove lint and carefully arrange them in the bag. Using a garment bag is the best solution, but you can also opt for a trolley. It is better to prepare everything carefully in a large suitcase than to find yourself with wrinkled clothes after having tucked them into a backpack.
- If you're a girl, don't forget your makeup bag, hairbrush, and whatever product you need for touch-ups. You may have to wait for 10 hours before they call you.
Step 11. Don't apply for this job if your schedule isn't flexible
The agency will tell you the date you will need to work. That day you must have him completely free. The extra job can take many hours and you'll have to stay on set until your turn comes. You could only stay there for six hours, or 15, leaving at four in the morning. Leaving the set before finishing your performance is anything but professional, and you run the risk of not getting paid.
Step 12. Be professional and punctual
Arriving late is a clear indication of a lack of professionalism. Browsing around, not acting like an adult, talking too much, and trying to intervene more than necessary is unprofessional. You were primarily called upon to be part of the background and environment, not to reveal your talent.
Step 13. Behave the right way
Professionalism is the watchword. Remember, they hired you, and that makes you an employee. Never take pictures, annoy the crew or get close to the stars. Breaking the rules will get you kicked out of the set. This could mean burning a bridge with a casting agency, which would otherwise have been able to get you involved in a lot of projects. Kind, trustworthy, and normally-behaved people have more opportunities for work.
Bring along a book, an iPod or a deck of cards - it will be a long wait! Listen to the instructions carefully. Appearing is interesting work, but it can be unbearably boring. You will have to sit for hours and hours in a waiting area and perhaps remain standing on set for many more hours, without having the opportunity to speak or move
Step 14. Enjoy and fully experience the process
You may just be a blurry dot on the screen or play a bigger role. Either way, this could be a good chance to meet a celebrity and have a nice story to tell your friends.
Advice
- The food served to the extras (sandwiches, pizza, spaghetti) is usually good, but of a lower quality than that served to the crew and cast (meat, fish, vegetables, quality desserts). If you're in line for steak, you've probably ended up in the wrong queue. When in doubt, ask where the extras buffet is located.
- Most extra jobs involve food. This is mandatory at all sets where people who join the union work (including actors and crew, even if extras do not belong to this organization). You may have to wait several hours for a meal to be served, so it's best to pack some snacks and have lunch or dinner before heading to the set. You will not be allowed to leave to eat and then return. The work area may have tables stocked with chips, sodas, etc.
- If you plan to work as an extra often, you should create a varied wardrobe and always have it at your disposal. When shopping for clothing, try to think about your job opportunities.
- Use the time spent on set to network and chat with the other extras. You may become aware of vacancies, have new contacts, etc.
- Pop into thrift stores and thrift stores to find doctor's coats, business suits, cocktail dresses, tuxedos, etc. These are the garments commonly requested by extras. A stethoscope is equally useful. Also, buy pieces from certain eras, like the disco ones from the seventies, those in different eighties styles and so on. The important thing is to do good business.
- Remember that you shouldn't fall into the trap of asking you to pay to work. Many productions try to hire extras without paying them a dime when they don't have the budget. This will encourage the formation of bad habits among all the businesses that go around you. Unless it's a student-produced film or a small local production, all the top-tier productions can afford to pay off. Plus, this protects you in case of workplace accidents.
- Know your rights: You may be eligible for a raise if working conditions are unfavorable.
- Do not apply unless you know you are available for the duration of the project.
- Don't forget to write your phone number and email address on your resume.
- Behave politely. You will get more attention if you denote professionalism and do what they tell you instead of distracting yourself by chasing famous actors.
- Never speak unless they speak to you. There will likely be a crew member taking care of the extras or an employee from the casting agency. You should ask these people your questions, not anyone who seems important to you. This crew member is probably the one who manages the extras before shooting the scene in which they will appear. He will point out your assignments, give you more information about the film, etc.
- Don't expect to be discovered and famous. It almost never happens.
- Read the guide on how to become an extra posted on backstage.com (https://web.backstage.com/how-to-be-extra/).
