20
Nov
How To Be A Background Extra. How to be an Extra. You need to have a certain number of acting credits to qualify. Background actors arrive early on the set and are guided by the Production Assistant who gives them the paperwork to fill out for that days work. A current head shot.
You are then given a call sheet by the production office and told when to report to work. If you qualify for union membership the other hurdle is cost. Extras should blend into the background and take their direction well. Extras can be used in a scene to populate a restaurant walk in the background down a street or appear in a crowd. By registering with these companies they simply contact you when an opportunity with criteria that matches your particular physical description comes up. No matter what the show most scenes need from several to hundreds of people in the background to provide believability and bring the scene to life.
To become an extra you dont need any experience any particular skill set or even a particular wardrobe although you may at times be asked if you can bring items like cowboy boots or a certain-colored sweatshirt.
You are then given a call sheet by the production office and told when to report to work. Get your name out there Register with as many background casting companies as possible registration should be free. The more places that have you in their system the more opportunities you will. All you do is contact an extras casting service or director and sign up with their service. When you get work as a film extra take a bag packed with things to keep you busy as theres a lot of waiting around on sets. You need to have a certain number of acting credits to qualify.