How to work as an extra

J

Jester2138

Well-known member
[hope this is the right sub-forum...]

I'm a freshman film student in Manhattan and have been trying to figure out what to do this summer to get some spending money for next year. I'm from New Orleans but I could spend much of the summer in NYC if I wanted. I really don't want to work at McDonalds or anything like that unless I have to! haha

Last summer I was lucky enough to get some very lucrative corporate videography/animation type jobs through my dad, but that's probably not going to happen again this summer.

I don't have any delusions about getting paid crew work since I have no connections outside other film students (who can't pay) and am too young for anyone else to take me seriously (something that always bothered me - I feel my talent/skills should speak for themselves).

So I just had the idea to work as a movie extra in either NYC or NOLA (NYC would probably have more jobs). I know practically nothing about being a movie extra. Is this even a viable option to do as a "summer job?" Could I get enough jobs? Would it pay decently? Who do I call/email/apply to and what do I need?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. Are any Dvxusers in NYC willing to pay for anything? :laugh:
P.P.S. Actually even if you can't pay I'd love to help on stuff for the experience.
---I have my own GH2 and a few lenses and lots of experience with HDSLRs. Need a second camera or anything?
 
My extra gigs have been non-paying, but depending on the project, extras can get $50-100 or more a day - even more as a featured extra if you fit the desired profile. big consideration is reliabiility and showing up when they want you to. you need to find online forums that post for extra gigs in your area, a lot of these calls are last minute. keep in mind you 'll be competing with actors trying to get a foot in the door.

whether you can make a summer job out of it ... just my 2 cts
 
Find an agency that represents extras - there are a bunch in LA and I expect you'll find them in NYC too. Thing is, there's a lot of scamsters out there: first, they'll want a couple of headshots and of course they'll have their own photographer they'll want to send you to, to get 'em (cha-ching!) - if you have any really *good* photographer friends, have them shoot a couple rolls of headshots and pick the best two or three that show off different 'looks' (hair/clothes/etc). If an agency tells you that you *must* use *their* photographer, and pay for the privilege - go elsewhere. Generally a stand-up agency will not charge you for representation as an extra, and will not take a cut of your daily pay; they get paid by the production (but some may find ways to charge you and it's up to you to decide if you want to play).

Regardless of your age, the right reel and presentation *will* inspire most people to take you seriously, maybe not as a ready-to-work professional but at least as someone worth cultivating. If you find that you're getting a lot of cold responses, it's worth considering the possibility that your reel or some other part of your presentation needs improvement.

Be sure to bring a bottle of water, some snacks, a folding chair and a good book. Waiting, waiting, waiting, and watching the crew eat, that's the life of an extra.
 
Since you're in Louisiana, why not look at what's going in in New Orleans or in Baton Rouge? Lots of film and some TV work going there. And your being local makes you a particularly attractive hire, since you won't draw 6th/7th day, housing, per diem, etc...
 
Jester2138 said:
[hope this is the right sub-forum...]

I'm a freshman film student in Manhattan and have been trying to figure out what to do this summer to get some spending money for next year. I'm from New Orleans but I could spend much of the summer in NYC if I wanted. I really don't want to work at McDonalds or anything like that unless I have to! haha

Last summer I was lucky enough to get some very lucrative corporate videography/animation type jobs through my dad, but that's probably not going to happen again this summer.

I don't have any delusions about getting paid crew work since I have no connections outside other film students (who can't pay) and am too young for anyone else to take me seriously (something that always bothered me - I feel my talent/skills should speak for themselves).

So I just had the idea to work as a movie extra in either NYC or NOLA (NYC would probably have more jobs). I know practically nothing about being a movie extra. Is this even a viable option to do as a "summer job?" Could I get enough jobs? Would it pay decently? Who do I call/email/apply to and what do I need?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. Are any Dvxusers in NYC willing to pay for anything? :laugh:
P.P.S. Actually even if you can't pay I'd love to help on stuff for the experience.
---I have my own GH2 and a few lenses and lots of experience with HDSLRs. Need a second camera or anything?
Click to expand...

http://www.centralcasting.org <--- start there, go register, pay $25 and be nice to everyone.
You'll be non-union so it's basically minimum wage 85/10

I can P.M. You a list of all the other serious background casting places, but they don't usu speak to you unless it's a 400 people shot or your in either AFTRA or SAG.
 
I don't know about NY or LA, but in Chicago, it's $8.50/hr for 8 + time and half after 8. Free meal included, and it's usually awesome. A couple of things I did were $100/day regardless of hours.

I was a regular extra on The Chicago Code, but it's wasn't super consistent. The extras casting agent only wanted people to work once per episode, unless they were playing the same 'character' because it might feasibly look odd if you notice one guy is a cop in one episode and the same episode there's that guy as some thug or bar patron. Luckily for me, I wound up working as a 'camera man' and 'photographer', which were used nearly every episode.

How I got the job: One day, they were super short on extras. I added the extras casting agent on facebook with the message that I'm available for today. She set me up in like 5 mins.

I probably wouldn't do this normally, but that's how this one casting agent works. She posts on her facebook when she needs a certain type, and you reply if your available or not. SO, don't go adding every casting agent in town as a friend, they might not like it.
 
djbobbyrhodes said:
I don't know about NY or LA, but in Chicago, it's $8.50/hr for 8 + time and half after 8. Free meal included, and it's usually awesome. A couple of things I did were $100/day regardless of hours.

I was a regular extra on The Chicago Code, but it's wasn't super consistent. The extras casting agent only wanted people to work once per episode, unless they were playing the same 'character' because it might feasibly look odd if you notice one guy is a cop in one episode and the same episode there's that guy as some thug or bar patron. Luckily for me, I wound up working as a 'camera man' and 'photographer', which were used nearly every episode.

How I got the job: One day, they were super short on extras. I added the extras casting agent on facebook with the message that I'm available for today. She set me up in like 5 mins.

I probably wouldn't do this normally, but that's how this one casting agent works. She posts on her facebook when she needs a certain type, and you reply if your available or not. SO, don't go adding every casting agent in town as a friend, they might not like it.
Click to expand...

In NYC it's 8.50 hr 10 hour day hence 85/10 as in $85 for 10 hours, SAG 144/8, Gossip Girl UPN Rate 112/8 - With union memberships though it adds up via meal penalties, wet-pay, smoke pay etc.. etc.. etc.. while non-union only gets extra time for 12 hours etc...

EDIT: @ The OP, Most prefer the term "Background" or "Background Actor" vs. Extra. - P.S. I'm not one.
 
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