'X' IS FOR… extras, background players, walk-ons & crowd parts

How is this possible? And without training and experience; hard work, and determination to achieve success in the acting world?Because here we are talking about… being an EXTRA!!! Sometimes called a "background" player, "walk-on" artist or "crowd-part", being an EXTRA does not require classes, or expensive photos (inexpensive photos, yes - expensive photos, no) or a big-time agent or any of the usual actor stuff.So, here are some quick tips and information that will give you an idea of what background player work is all about.

So what is an "Extra"?
Well, you know in a TV show like CORONATION STREET or a movie like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, when the stars are sitting in a bar, talking and carrying on, while in the "background" are all those other people drinking, but who don't have any lines? Well, all those people in the background are "BACKGROUND PLAYERS". And they each got paid to be on the set that day and pretend they are drinking and chatting.
Or like in a STAR WARS movie, when the stars are in some exotic alien market place on a distant planet, talking to a fuzzy blue CG (Computer Generated) alien with wings, while in the "background" various wretched looking people and other strange alien types are walking past, shopping, selling their wares - but not saying any discernable lines? Well, those are background players too.
Or like in GLADIATOR; all the people standing in the audience watching the combat in the arena - all the audience members without lines? Yep, those folks were also background players. Or like in TITANIC, all the happy passengers on ship and well- wishers on shore as the Titanic embarked from the dock to sail toward her tragic destiny - Extras. Well, actually, only some of them were background players. A lot of them were computer-generated images of people, not real people. Sort of like Virtual Extras…
So basically, an EXTRA or BACKGROUND PLAYER is an actor who has no lines; who is hired to fill the set with the types and numbers of people one might expect to see if the setting were real - to make the scene seem more natural; passengers and crew on a luxury liner; shoppers in a market place; patrons in a bar.

So what's the money like"?
If you are an extra in an student movie, don't expect to get any pay. You might get paid for independent film background player work, but then again… you might not.Background players in feature films and TV shows get paid to perform their modest roles. Not much though. And extra work isn't regular. You can work for a few days, then not get another job for weeks or months…
When you are just starting with background player work, you are not likely to already be a union member. So as a non-union background player, you will often make less than union members doing the same job. So, actors who do extra work do not live in the lap of luxury. They are lucky to be able to afford a roof over their head and most extra work is a way for struggling actors to make a bit of cash between 'proper' jobs.However, some people do it just for the fun of it; don't need the money; just like to see themselves in the movies and on TV.

Some extras can earn more money under certain circumstances.
Some of these are:

• Special Ability Background Players: these are performers specifically called and assigned to perform work requiring special skills. These skills might include sporting ability (such as being able to play tennis or golf) or choreographed social dancing (such as ballroom dancing), swimming, skating, riding a horse, non-professional singing, amputees or basic driving.
• Stand-In: these are extras used as a substitute for another actor for purposes of focusing shots, setting lights, etc. But they are not actually photographed. Stand-Ins may also be used as General Extras.
• Photographic Double: these are extras who are actually photographed as a substitute for another actor.
• Day Performers: these are performers who deliver a speech or line of dialogue. Extras are upgraded to Day Performers if they are given a line to say or directed to do a more complex bit of action on camera.
• Omnies: An American term for extras who provide any speech sounds used as general background noise rather than for its meaning. Atmospheric words such as indistinguishable background chatter in a party or restaurant scene.
• Hazardous Work
• Wet Work/Smoke Work
• Body Make-Up; Skull Cap; Hair Goods; Hair Cuts
• Rehearsals
• Costume Fittings
• Wardrobe Allowance
• Damage to Wardrobe or Property
• Interview Fees
• Personal Props
• Pets
• Personal Accessories: such as personal properties, vehicles, pets or the like used in the film.

OK. So you want to try the extra thing. How do you get the work? Well, mostly you need to be registered with agents who handle background player work.Normally, an agent is a person who, through contacts and lots of time-consuming effort networking, sourcing, and direct marketing, finds auditions for actors. If the actor gets a part, the agent functions as a negotiator with the film's producers or casting agents on the actor's behalf.Extra work is a bit different. Most extras agents function as a funnel. They amass huge files of people who want to do extra work. They are contacted by casting people who pay the agent a fee to send them extras candidates. Many agents who book extra work will charge a "registration fee"… But beware of scams! Make sure the extras agency is recommended to you by other actors. And do not pay ridiculously high registration fees! Those agents who charge no fee to register extras are most likely not scamming you.

As a general rule - YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY AN UPFRONT FEE OF ANY KIND TO AN AGENT FOR ANYTHING EXCEPT IF YOU ARE REGISTERING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE EXTRA WORK THE AGENT USUALLY HANDLES!!!.Registering does not mean you will automatically receive phone calls from the agent who will send you out to extra calls. You are competing with the many other actors who came through the agent's door before you and all those who come after you. You must regularly contact the agent to keep your name at the front of the line.When contacted by casting people to send actors to an extra call, agents search their files of background players and contact the actors to tell them when and where to go for the call, what to bring and wear, etc.You may or may not pay a percentage of your earnings as a commission to your agent or agency. This depends on the agency you are working with and whether you are union or non-union. So don't sign a contract until you have READ and UNDERSTOOD and AGREED with it!

On many low-budget, non-union productions, like student and independent films, non-union actors might agree to work for no money. Maybe agreeing to work for meal expenses and a copy of the film when it is completed.If you can find auditions or find out about extra calls on your own, you can go and try to get a part. Actors, even those with agents, develop their own contacts, spending lots of time networking, sourcing, and direct marketing in search of audition opportunities. If they get a role, they are their own negotiators. Although extras don't have much to negotiate with, they should still know what they should be paid - especially if their status is upgraded from a regular background player to a featured background player or if some special skill is employed in the film.

How do you find out about background player work without an agent? The same way as for regular acting work. You develop contacts by networking and direct market yourself and by reading the websites, newspapers and magazines that actors read - where film and theatre production companies advertise for "Extra's Required" and "Open Auditions."
So what should you bring to an agency? Generally speaking expect to bring your CV and Photographs. But call the agency first. Each one has different requirements. Many require general CASTING INFORMATION - so make sure you send or take the following details with you:

• Your Full Name
• Address
• Home Phone (Get An Answering Machine)
• Mobile and other Contact Numbers
• Your Date Of Birth
• The Age Range You Can Convincingly Play
• Your Union Status
• The Ethnicity You Appear To Be
• Your Availability
• If you have a car, list the make, year, condition and colour and whether you have a full, clean license.
• Height
• Weight
• WOMEN list these measurements (in BOTH feet and metres):
  Waist ,Hips,Bust,Dress Size,Shoe,Hat,Glove
• MEN list these measurements (in BOTH feet and metres):
  Waist,Inside Leg,Neck,Shoe,Hat,Glove
• Clothing You Own: Tuxedo,Types Of Suits,Any Uniforms Or Special Wardrobe Items,Wigs Owned
• Unusual Physical Traits (Body Piercings, Tattoos, Obvious Scars, Etc.)
• Will You Work: In Water,At Night
• Special Props You Own (such as musical instruments, sports equipment, etc.)
• Special Abilities You Have (such as horse-riding, singing or square-dancing, etc.)
• Your Photograph - in colour. Headshot and full body. Professional quality photographs - not tiny passport-sized ones or holiday snaps!

As you can see, being a background player is a bit more complicated than showing up somewhere and getting paid. But if, after reading all this, you still think you want to give being an EXTRA a try… read up on it! Speak to other actors with experience of extra work and… GO FOR IT!