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How to Become a TV & Film Extra

Is it really possible to get into movies and TV with no acting experience? Yes, indeed, anyone can be an extra---and actually get paid to work with the likes of Julia Roberts and Jack Nicholson. For the most part, extras are not called upon to do any acting; they are often referred to in the industry as "background," because their function is to provide background faces and bodies for the actors, in order to make a scene more realistic. But if you aspire to a career in film, you'll have to support yourself somehow in the meantime; and being an extra teaches you a great deal more about the field than does waiting tables. And who knows, it just might turn into a breakthrough---actor Matthew Modine was reportedly discovered while working as an extra. Let's face it, though, that was probably the only time this has happened in Hollywood history. Still, you might get some conspicuous screen time out of it. If you've ever seen the film "Eye for an Eye," then you have seen this writer in a pretty tight shot with Sally Field. And if you've ever seen the blockbuster "Independence Day," you've seen even better exposure of this writer's wife, including a scene in which Bill Pullman, as the president, ad libs a line directed at her and uses her real name. Another extra in the same film was actually given a line, greatly increasing his pay scale. Sound exciting? Alas, even these occurrences are quite rare. The great majority of the time, you'll be no more than a blurry face in a crowd. So what's really in it for you? A paycheck (even a decent paycheck if you earn union membership), the thrill of seeing Steven Spielberg having lunch on the backlot, the learning process about how the business works and above all the satisfaction of watching a film or TV episode and knowing that you helped contribute to it. If you are motivated by such things, and if you are willing to put up with the demands, then here is how you, too, can end up on screen.

Things You'll Need

  • Reliable transportation
  • GPS
  • Varied wardrobe
  • Cellphone
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Instructions

    • 1

      Live in an area with a suitable market. If you want steady work, this will almost certainly mean the Los Angeles area, or possibly New York. And be aware that "area" means a very big area. Gone are the days when "Hollywood" literally meant Hollywood. "Hollywood" studios are now located in Hollywood, Burbank and Culver City, just to name a few places. The actual shooting, in any case, generally does not take place at the studios, but at some location within a radius of 50 miles or so.

    • 2

      Have reliable transportation. You just can't depend on public transit, particularly in a place as spread out as L.A., to get you to and from your location quickly enough. Period. (And in some cases, there may even be an opportunity for your vehicle to appear on screen. Maybe your car can become a star.) A GPS would be a very wise investment as well since you'll probably be traveling to some unfamiliar places.

    • 3

      Have a varied wardrobe. Studios have their own abundant supply of wardrobe, of course, and you'll most likely wear some of it---especially if you're portraying a distinctive character such as a police officer. But in some cases, you'll be asked to bring some items with you. And if they like what you bring, you're more likely to end up closer to the camera.

    • 4

      Special talents help. If you can juggle, do contortion or play basketball, those skills might get you assignments you wouldn't otherwise get. Moreover, they could get you high-profile assignments that might qualify you for membership in SAG (the Screen Actors Guild, the film and TV actors' union). The Steven Seagal film "Fire Down Below" had scenes set in a casino, so casino dealers from the Los Angeles area were brought in to be extras, even though most of them had never worked in film before. And after three days of shooting, they'd earned a SAG card---an achievement for which some extras struggle for many years!

    • 5

      Have a headshot. This is not a necessity, as it would be if you were auditioning for speaking roles; the casting agencies can take their own photos of you. But if you have a professional headshot they can put on file, it might help "sell" them on you when they're looking for a particular type.

    • 6

      Register with one or more of the casting agencies for extras. The biggest one, the one you've heard about for years, is Central Casting in Burbank (and New York). But don't overlook the other good agencies as well: Axium, for instance. The more reliable agencies you register with, the greater your chances of working steadily.

    • 7

      Be persistent. Call in at the designated times to seek work, and keep calling until you succeed.

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Screen Acting

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