Trying out stage performance is a lot easier than trying out acting for camera due to the amount of opportunities there are with youth theatres and drama clubs. Before someone will book you for a film or commercial job, you’ll more than likely need a CV that tells them you have experience of working on a film set. There is however, more to mainstream feature films being made in the film industry; don’t forget there are independent features, film shorts, music videos, commercials and corporates that all need actors. So here we look further into working as an extra and working on student films. All areas of the business need actors, and it would be foolish to dismiss working on short films or working as an extra simply because it’s not the latest Peter Jackson movie!
Working as an Extra
One way of experiencing how a real film set runs is to work as a background artiste, otherwise known as an extra. Not only does one become more at ease to the nature of a film or TV set and how shooting works, but you can meet lots of people in the industry, get a fantastic insight to watching film actors work their magic and they build up experience credits on your CV.
There a many bonuses to working as an extra! For what is essentially waiting around all day it’s good money. Money can range from £90 to £200 a day (with a small percentage going to your agent), depending on whether it’s a crowd call, walk-on job or a night shift. If you ever at one time get one line of dialogue (for example, a waiter asking the main characters what they’d like to drink) you can get paid up to double. You also get paid extra for wardrobe fittings, overtime and even if you bring your own specific costume, like a ball gown for example.
Another perk of working on set is the food, depending on what the project is of course. Catering is provided for cast and crew, and if you’re not shooting, you are essentially getting paid to sit around and eat. If you arrive on set in the morning (most location shoots start at about six in the morning or before the sun rises) you’ll have access to a full variety of breakfast foods, and the lunches in the mobile canteens vary from hot meals to a buffet.
'The Young Victoria' Oxford Shoot
However, working as an extra may not be for everyone. You must remember as an extra you invited into the film crews’ work space, and that you are taking part on a mere couple of days shooting in comparison to the cast and crews’ 4 week shoot. An AD is an assistant director and it is normally the 3rd or 4th AD that organises the extras. Remember you are a guest to their working day, as they will always be stressed and busy. Films are also always on a tight schedule, and you must stay focused, listening to what is told to you. Getting used to being moved around like cattle is part of it too – respect that they need good time keeping, patience and professionalism.
Waiting around all day may not be for you either. I don’t mean waiting for half an hour and then shooting the rest of the day – I mean waiting for 4 hours in the holding tent, being moved to location, doing a rehearsal and then going back to waiting for a few more hours. You need patience. Expect to be moved around from waiting room to waiting room, costume checked again and again – only to not to shoot a single take! As busy as film schedules’ are, they are also unpredictable.
All projects are different as they vary in what you have to do, wear, and be. How much fun you have is part of the job and who you’re working with. Most of the time extras are friendly, out going and chatty people, and meeting new people is what makes the job! You have to be open-minded and a hard worker. It really does pay off when you see a glimpse of your face on the screen, remembering the experience you had and the new people you met that day.
Various extra agencies in London include;
If you really are interested in becoming an extra, than you should join the books of an extra agency. They normally open their books September – December ready for the new book in January. The listed ones above are legit and good background agents. Check their websites for more information on joining their books – most accept letters and a picture and will call you in for a meeting if they are interested.
If you are aiming to become an actor or actress, my advice is to do a few background jobs to test whether working for film is for you. Extra work is not a way into acting featured roles, even if a few successful actors did do a few extra jobs before moving on to acting, such as Clint Eastwood and Adam Brody, but they are rare cases. Working as an extra is more like working as a crew member, not a cast member, because you’re creating the atmosphere of a scene, not acting in it.
Student Films
There are lots of film schools and film courses at universities around the country that will need actors of all ages for excercise projects and graduation films. Although not professional productions, it’s very good experience to have when you’re starting out and each scene you do potentially contributes to a showreel.
Most film schools use websites like Mandy, StarNow, Casting Call Pro and Spotlight so it’s a good idea to have a profile on those sites. You can also contact the schools directly.
“A role in a student film allows you to practice your acting skills while enhancing your resume. Student films are often shown at international film festivals, providing a valuable opportunity to display your acting talent.” New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
With their tight budgets it is now impossible for the student film producers to be able to pay actors, with the exception of the NFTS (National Film and Television School) which is able to pay just below Equity Minimum due to their MA courses having more of a budget! However most expenses are paid and you should always recieve a copy of the finished project to add to your showreel.
But here’s the rub: many film students never actually give the actors a copy of the finished film. “I take care of my actors,” says Cooper Union’s Titus. “I make sure they get the food and they get a copy of the film. But I know a lot of students who just don’t have the funds to make copies, or they aren’t happy with the project so they don’t want to show anyone the film—I’ve heard a million and one excuses.” Luke Crowe – Acting for Student Films
If by any chance you are doubtful of doing student films, look out for final year graduation films (or Thesis films) where the crew has more experience and more of a budget as well as time to prepare. The National Film and Television School based just outside of London also only has MA courses where the students are much more experienced.
For a full exploration into doing student films look at this article on Acting for Student Films!
Must Read Articles
Acting in Student Films by Luke Crowe
How to be an Extra by The Stage
Guide to Extra Work by Casting Collective
So You’d Like to be a Film Extra? by 2020 Casting