To be considered as a movie extra, all you have to do is apply on a casting website. It's usually free, and you'll get emails and texts about the upcoming movies looking for background artists, says Christine Nelson, background casting director at Lee Genick/Sylvia Fay & Associates Casting.18 May 2018
Can you be an extra with no experience?
Being an extra requires no experience, no acting talent and no talking. Although you can sometimes parlay being an extra into an acting career, that's neither required nor expected. All that's expected of you is to show up on time — early, ideally — and to pay attention and follow directions.10 Apr 2021
How easy is it to become an extra?
Becoming an extra (sometimes referred to as a Background Artist) is fairly simple if you live in any city but it is much easier if you live in Los Angeles or New York. All you do is contact an extras casting service or director, and sign up with their service.
How much can you earn being an extra?
Extras can earn anywhere from minimum wage to more than $50 per hour. Typically they'll get paid for a full day even if they're needed for only a few hours.10 Apr 2021
Is being an extra good for acting?
Extra work doesn't necessarily get an actor noticed by casting directors or agents, but it can be a valuable way of gaining experience on set. It can sometimes result in being upgraded to a speaking role, or helping an actor get his union card.20 Jan 2021
Is being an extra bad?
Being extra doesn't always have to be bad; sometimes, being extra takes a positive, relationship-benefiting form that both partners enjoy and appreciate. But unfortunately, it's all too common for extra people to manifest toxic patterns in their relationships that cause serious long term problems.
Do you have to be pretty to be an extra?
Going back to the general case, extras are usually expected to wear mostly unremarkable clothing featuring muted colors that won't stand out on camera. Also important here is that the clothing must be devoid of visible logos or branding.1 Apr 2019
What is it like being an extra?
When not required to be in a given place, extras generally congregate in some designated area away from the important people, where they read, chat, play cards, or otherwise find any way possible to stave off boredom. Beyond being boring, in some cases the life of an extra can also be extremely uncomfortable.1 Apr 2019
Does being an extra pay well?
The payment model for extras is very simplistic and standard. It usually breakdowns down into two ways of paying extras: per hour (rarely) and per day (most common). Extras do not get paid much, but if you're doing this on a regular basis, you can definitely make a living.