Common questions

How do you apply to be an extra in a movie?

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How do you apply to be an extra in a movie?

Six Steps to Become a Movie ExtraFind an agency or two. Central Casting is one of the oldest and most popular agencies. Register. There’s paperwork to fill out: The application, the tax forms, the proof of citizenship, blah, blah, blahWait for the phone to ring. Do the shoot. Get paid. Rinse and repeat.

Do you get paid to be an extra in a movie?

Background extras, background actors, are all paid for their work on a movie or TV show. Productions pay Union background actors more money than non-union. Union rates for background extras, as of 2012, are about $145 per day, with weekly rates of five times the daily rate, according to Chron.com.

What to bring to set as an extra?

DO bring snacks and something to pass the time. Being an extra means most of your day will involve waiting. Bringing a book, or phone/tablet is totally acceptable. Just make sure you are aware of what’s going on- you could be called to set at any minute and should always be ready.

Do you need acting experience to be an extra?

The majority of background actors also do not have formal acting training. However, being a background extra does require some basic skills such as being able to follow direction. Working as an extra can also be beneficial for someone who wants to become an actor and land more prominent roles.

Do extras get hair and makeup?

After going through costume, hair, and makeup, the extras will form a line where they will be looked over by someone from each department to ensure everyone looks perfect before heading to set.

How do actors get paid?

An actors fee is part of the films budget. They are paid during the production with money that the producers need to raise from investors before shooting. If an actor is union, then they are paid through the union based off of SAG rates. There are different agreements based on the budget of the film.

How much do featured extras get paid?

According to SAG’s rate sheet, background actors for television typically get paid $167 for eight hours and $177 a day for those with a “special ability.” If background actors are asked to wear multiple costumes then they could get a pay bump.

How much do small roles in movies pay?

No name actors usually get paid scale, the minimum allowed by the agreement with the Screen Actors Guild. It is close to one thousand dollars for a day’s work. If they are involved for a week or more the rate per day is a bit lower.

Can being an extra lead to 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. Yet, working as an extra can be worthwhile.