When you are starting out as an actor, it can be an eye-opener, as well as a money-spinner, to do a bit of extras work.
Very often this is work that film and TV companies are happy to have untrained people do: as ‘background artistes’ the last thing that is wanted is for the real-life backdrop to a scene to pull focus from the main action in the foreground. Often non-actors are as adept as actors at being invisible.
Sometimes, however, it can be advantageous to have specialised skills. Not only does it help out the production company, but it can also bring you some extra money. This may be where a car needs to be driven in shot, or a small piece of dialogue has to be said. These are the most basic examples, but it can happen that particular stage skills that you have acquired in your training as an actor turn out to be useful on set.
Some actors make it a rule for themselves never to take on extras work. Others are less ‘hardline’. It can however be worth your while if you are starting out on your career, if only because it is an insight into the basics of working onscreen. At £100 or more a day, it is also one way to ‘keep the wolf from the door.’
At Audition Now we offer you access to all the latest opportunities to work as an extra, texting you direct to your mobile phone.
Tags: acting auditions, be an extra, extras opportunities, Extras Work