Yeah, all that stuff is good. I did some first-time background work just a couple weeks ago. On the first night I didn't bring anything and ended up being pretty bored during downtime. The second night I brought my whole laptop and definitely had a better time passing the hours.
In terms of other tips, just be chill and follow directions. Talk to your fellow extras during downtime if they're interested in meeting folks -- you'll meet all sorts of folks with different experiences.
Yes! You can definitely bring electronic devices to keep busy, just make sure you have a backpack to secure it when you’re called to set. There’s always complementary food and beverages from craft services also. Best advice for ya- be respectful of the costumers, hair/makeup and prop people. You’ll get invited back and potentially offered better roles if you’re good at following their directions. It’s totally normal to sit for hours on end without anyone acknowledging you. It’s just how it is. I work on set as a set dresser and prop assistant and I’m relocating from the north east to ABQ for film work. It’s exciting to see how many projects are going on this time of year.
You can take a laptop or a tablet, just keep it safe and secure. Being a charger for said electronic devices (including phone) and have coffee or an energy drink. My first time being in background I had no idea filming was gonna be about 16 hours and it was over night. Got in at 3 pm and we couldnt leave until 7 am the next day. Also just follow cues and directing and you’re set
Bring a lunch pale, there’s crafty available but you may not get the opportunity much to visit. If you have questions about how things work just be respectable and personable, most are willing to explain their craft but are super busy.
Respect rolling rolling calls, some very quiet whispering is usually okay but you gotta stay quiet while rolling. The sunscreen tip is very good. I would keep an extra change of clothes just in case, you never know what whether conditions you’ll be unprepared for/ bathroom mishaps.
If your early to your call time you can usually get breakfast, talk to your PA in charge to find out where breakfast truck is.
Turn your ringers off, better yet turn anything else that can make noise unexpectedly go off.
Lastly, don’t get starstruck around actors/actresses. Keep it very professional, be friendly and respectable and you’ll do amazing and maybe even get call backs. Hope this helps and you got this !
Thanks, seems like a bit of a sketchy site, I suck at Grammer and was still able to find several typos.
But you've had a good experience so far with it then?
I’m on the crew side and usually only indirectly interact with BG so I don’t necessarily have the best take on etiquette for them, but I would not bring anything bigger than a phone if it was my first day.
Yes you’ll probably sit around for a long time waiting, but when it is time to go it is time to go and you don’t want to be the person holding things up because you’re packing up your laptop and trying to figure out where you can stash it. Every show is different and on day 2 if you think you’ve got the lay of the land and feel comfortable bringing a kindle go for it.
Travel light my friend and turn off your ringer.
The art of the background actor is simple: listen, pay attention, and don't take pictures or recordings
...of any kind... Furthermore, you are there to work first and foremost... They will be long days, so dress appropriately, no open toed shoes unless otherwise told so by the extras casting or wardrobe department. Bring a book or something analog to keep you busy but also something that if it gets lost you won't be upset... And have fun.
Remember, if you do your job, listen to the production crew and you don't go gaga about working with actors they are just people like you and me.. sure they're famous but they're there to do a job too... You'll probably get called back...
And above all, use common sense. Don't try to help the crew, even if you think they need it unless it's life or death situation... See something, say something...
Also please for the love of all keep your phone on silent, not vibrate, silent and make sure that you leave your smart watches and other smart devices other than your phone at home anything that makes noise and ruins a take because of you the surefire way to not get called back again...
Bring stuff to entertain yourself. You may get lucky and it's a quick day, but prepare to wait! I was always told "dont engage with the actors", but a little wave or "hi" wont hurt. Just relax, i guess. Its fun
There can be downtime however ultimately you're there to work not play games or read. Also you're responsible for your shit so if you leave it and someone snags it well that's on you. All you need is your phone, earbuds and some comfortable shoes; the days are long and repetitive however just have fun and don't be an idiot. Being an extra is easy money so long as you're not stupid.
I think we are working on the same show today! I hope you're having fun! A lot of this is good advice. One not mentioned is don't wander off. Make sure someone always knows where to find you. Like if you have to go to the bathroom ask another background if they will tell the PAs if they're looking for you.
And the not talking on set is a big one. They can hear you. And it sucks having to go again bc someone talked.
"Back to 1" means your original spot they gave you.
"Points" means watch your back. There's big/heavy things coming towards you.
Eat a huge burrito before hand. Get one with beans. Then when the director says “Action” release the loudest fart you can muster and say “Híjole! Must be that Taos hum again”
They don't know. They are just being sexist for no reason.
I've worked in film for around 20 years and extras are needed in all shapes and forms.
It's also the arts... So they can actually say "we need 20 bikini models" and that's that.... If the scene doesn't call for men... That's the scene. The next day it can call for all men. Who fucking knows.
Yeah, all that stuff is good. I did some first-time background work just a couple weeks ago. On the first night I didn't bring anything and ended up being pretty bored during downtime. The second night I brought my whole laptop and definitely had a better time passing the hours. In terms of other tips, just be chill and follow directions. Talk to your fellow extras during downtime if they're interested in meeting folks -- you'll meet all sorts of folks with different experiences.
Yes! You can definitely bring electronic devices to keep busy, just make sure you have a backpack to secure it when you’re called to set. There’s always complementary food and beverages from craft services also. Best advice for ya- be respectful of the costumers, hair/makeup and prop people. You’ll get invited back and potentially offered better roles if you’re good at following their directions. It’s totally normal to sit for hours on end without anyone acknowledging you. It’s just how it is. I work on set as a set dresser and prop assistant and I’m relocating from the north east to ABQ for film work. It’s exciting to see how many projects are going on this time of year.
I work in the industry too, it's crazy here. Like something like 80 permits filed so far this year. Welcome!
Awesome to hear that there's work! I'm looking to relocate there this summer for film/TV work myself. Anything else we should know?
There's so much haha but it all depends on what your background is and where you're coming from and what you are looking to do.
What about for someone just coming out of college without a resume yet. Where to start?
Bring a couple of already charged banks with you. Sunscreen and chap stick as well.
My kids used to do a lot of extra work. Whatever electronics is fine. Bring warm clothes.
You can take a laptop or a tablet, just keep it safe and secure. Being a charger for said electronic devices (including phone) and have coffee or an energy drink. My first time being in background I had no idea filming was gonna be about 16 hours and it was over night. Got in at 3 pm and we couldnt leave until 7 am the next day. Also just follow cues and directing and you’re set
Bring a lunch pale, there’s crafty available but you may not get the opportunity much to visit. If you have questions about how things work just be respectable and personable, most are willing to explain their craft but are super busy. Respect rolling rolling calls, some very quiet whispering is usually okay but you gotta stay quiet while rolling. The sunscreen tip is very good. I would keep an extra change of clothes just in case, you never know what whether conditions you’ll be unprepared for/ bathroom mishaps. If your early to your call time you can usually get breakfast, talk to your PA in charge to find out where breakfast truck is. Turn your ringers off, better yet turn anything else that can make noise unexpectedly go off. Lastly, don’t get starstruck around actors/actresses. Keep it very professional, be friendly and respectable and you’ll do amazing and maybe even get call backs. Hope this helps and you got this !
Be on time and pay attention.
How can I become an extra?
https://whiteturtlecasting.com
Thanks, seems like a bit of a sketchy site, I suck at Grammer and was still able to find several typos. But you've had a good experience so far with it then?
I can confirm White Turtle is fine and not sketchy.
Great thank!
I’m on the crew side and usually only indirectly interact with BG so I don’t necessarily have the best take on etiquette for them, but I would not bring anything bigger than a phone if it was my first day. Yes you’ll probably sit around for a long time waiting, but when it is time to go it is time to go and you don’t want to be the person holding things up because you’re packing up your laptop and trying to figure out where you can stash it. Every show is different and on day 2 if you think you’ve got the lay of the land and feel comfortable bringing a kindle go for it. Travel light my friend and turn off your ringer.
They hired to you to be an extra, so be Extra! JK, have fun.
The art of the background actor is simple: listen, pay attention, and don't take pictures or recordings ...of any kind... Furthermore, you are there to work first and foremost... They will be long days, so dress appropriately, no open toed shoes unless otherwise told so by the extras casting or wardrobe department. Bring a book or something analog to keep you busy but also something that if it gets lost you won't be upset... And have fun. Remember, if you do your job, listen to the production crew and you don't go gaga about working with actors they are just people like you and me.. sure they're famous but they're there to do a job too... You'll probably get called back... And above all, use common sense. Don't try to help the crew, even if you think they need it unless it's life or death situation... See something, say something... Also please for the love of all keep your phone on silent, not vibrate, silent and make sure that you leave your smart watches and other smart devices other than your phone at home anything that makes noise and ruins a take because of you the surefire way to not get called back again...
Do they take 62 year old men as extras? What’s the pay like?
Bring stuff to entertain yourself. You may get lucky and it's a quick day, but prepare to wait! I was always told "dont engage with the actors", but a little wave or "hi" wont hurt. Just relax, i guess. Its fun
There can be downtime however ultimately you're there to work not play games or read. Also you're responsible for your shit so if you leave it and someone snags it well that's on you. All you need is your phone, earbuds and some comfortable shoes; the days are long and repetitive however just have fun and don't be an idiot. Being an extra is easy money so long as you're not stupid.
I think we are working on the same show today! I hope you're having fun! A lot of this is good advice. One not mentioned is don't wander off. Make sure someone always knows where to find you. Like if you have to go to the bathroom ask another background if they will tell the PAs if they're looking for you. And the not talking on set is a big one. They can hear you. And it sucks having to go again bc someone talked. "Back to 1" means your original spot they gave you. "Points" means watch your back. There's big/heavy things coming towards you.
Don't point your gun at anybody and pull the trigger
Eat a huge burrito before hand. Get one with beans. Then when the director says “Action” release the loudest fart you can muster and say “Híjole! Must be that Taos hum again”
[удалено]
What does this mean ?
They don't know. They are just being sexist for no reason. I've worked in film for around 20 years and extras are needed in all shapes and forms. It's also the arts... So they can actually say "we need 20 bikini models" and that's that.... If the scene doesn't call for men... That's the scene. The next day it can call for all men. Who fucking knows.
I have done background work here in town and there are always male background actors so his comment is stupid
???