- Is an extra a kind of actor?
An extra or 'background artist' is the kind of person you see in the back of the pub or walking down the pavement while the actors do their acting thing. If you think walking down the street in the background is acting, you have the right mentality.
- Will i get to say any lines in a movie?
To repeat the famous advice given to Michael Caine when he was carrying a spear at the back of some theatre production, you will have all kinds of wonderful thoughts and lines, you just won't say them.
- How much can i earn?
The BBC are one of the higher payers at around £73 per day. ITV pay slightly less. The Film Artists Association, a body which negotiates background artists' fees with the industry set fees of £69 per day with £25 extra for a 'walk on' part. You get more for overtime and wearing your own costume, how much extra depends upon the production. But it is true, you do get free meals.
- Do i have to look like Russell Crowe or Mr Bean?
Extras are usually required to look like ordinary people and the best way the film business has of getting round this Everest sized problem is to use...er...ordinary people. If you look like a model you will get a lot of work hanging around shoots where they need people to look beautiful. If you are older than 18 but can pass for a school kid, you will be popular; you'll be saving the production companies the cost of a chaperone.
- What about my current job?
You do not need to give up your current job, provided you can drop everything at the bottom of a hat. Availability is a key demand,
- What experience will i need?
If you think responding to plain English commands like 'walk past the car without stopping', requires experience, you need experience. Other skills like horse riding, fencing, dancing or acrobatics, will certainly mark you out for a walk on part.
- A walk on. Sounds like a cut above?
It is. It means you will probably be featured, as opposed to being a face in the crowd. It also means extra pay!
- Why haven't i heard of more people doing this?
It used to be a closed shop, i.e. you needed to be a member of the Film Artists Association and carry a membership card on the set to get work. Now it's far more relaxed.
- What happens on a typical day?
"Okay everybody, SHUT UP! Now go stand over there for ten hours until we tell you to walk quickly in front of the camera for six seconds." This is the warning given by one US online extras site. It's the same in the UK. You will wake up incredibly early to get to the set for dawn. If it's a period shoot you will need to be made up and get into costume. This takes longer.
- Will i get to meet some stars?
You will get to look at some stars. Probably form a distance. You will get to watch them fluff their lines and have a lot of fun watching the over paid entourages/directors/runners make a huge fuss of them.
- So no snaps?
Absolutely none. Don't be surprised if you have to sign a confidentiality clause, most films are terrified of paparazzi style shots of stars or, as in the case of Harry Potter, the film sets, appearing in the tabloids. Even if you don't have anything heavy to sign, ask permission first.
- Will i get noticed as an actor?
If you have an incredible look about you and the casting director or director happens to spot you in the crowd and thinks there's no one else like you on their books (or that they have seen in the cattle market workshops they will have been doing for the last ten years) then possibly. You, however, will get to notice how the film business works, get the gossip on how the stars really behave and familiarise yourself with the workings of a film set.
- Can i look for work myself?
It is not unheard of to get work by just turning up on film sets but you will usually be referred to the agency or casting director who is looking after the shoot. Your time might be better spent keeping abreast of the films about to go into production. The back pages of Screen International list all the films in production, and sometimes in pre-production.
- Keep Quiet
When the cameras are about to roll and unless otherwise directed, the sound team will require absolute silence. No talking, moving, or doing anything that will be picked up by the very sensitive microphones. A warning they are about to shoot will be given by an assistant director shouting loudly.
- What should i keep in my kit bag?
Prepare for cold, hunger and boredom. Film sets are long days. Think iPods, books, snacks and thermal underclothes. The latter are especially important if you are going to be outside. Getting cold will mean you get tired quicker, adding to your misery.
- Any Tips?
One. Turn up. You'd be surprised at how many don't. A no show might put your agency in trouble and they in turn might blacklist you. Two. Try not to complain. Like all people who are powerless, extras spend most of the time whingeing and complaining. It won't change anything and a sunny attitude will make you more popular with your fellow sufferers and certainly with the company. Three. Have fun. You could be working for a living.