Make money as an extra in the TV & film industry
TV & film Industry- Extra Income – who wouldn’t want that!
Being a film and TV extra is a lot of fun and it’s not just for aspiring actors! You don’t need any professional training, just a couple of images and a rough idea of your measurements! It also provides steady work and a flexible source of income.
An extra is a “background artist”. It’s the people you see walking around scenes in TV and film. It could be a nurse standing by a hospital bed or a barman pouring a pint!
– If tv and film is something that you’re interested in, then being an extra will bring you an exhilarating sense of. Not only do you get the unique experience of being on a real life set but also get to see how a production is made.
– Tv and film extra work is extremely flexible and can be used to work around your schedule, even if you’re studying or have a part time job. It can also be a good opportunity to make a little more extra cash on the weekends!
– There is work for everyone and it’s very easy. No professionally acting experience is required and there is no auctioning process.
– Extras are put in a scene to make it look more realistic, so you don’t have to look like a super model! Most productions look for a diverse group of individuals, no matter your age, gender, race or disability!
However, it’s not as glamorous as people tend to believe. There is a lot of waiting around during takes and very early call times. If you’re prepared for this and have a lot of patience with a can do attitude, then this maybe is your calling.
How to use casting agencies in the TV and Film industry
The simplest way to kick start you career as an extra is going to a casting agency. They may be sign up fees and agencies tend to take commission, however, they do a lot of the admin work for you.
The agencies in the business who have been going the longest time with the best reputation are:
- Uni-versalEXTRAS – The annual fee there is £30 (free for students) and the commission rate is 16% on every job.
- Casting Collective – Their annual sign up fee is £65 and the commission rate is 15% + VAT
- Extra People – They don’t charge anything to join but have a much large commission rate of 20%
- Mad Dog Casting – Their one of fee is 32.50 (61.25 if you’re in London) + VAT is taken from your first job, then after a rate of 15%.
Alternative options
Alternatively, there is the option to look for extra work yourself which is harder. Going through an agency is quicker because they have connections and take care of all the paperwork for you. However, if you do want to try and find work yourself then it is possible. Casting Call pro and Starnow regularly post casting where you can apply directly. Movie Insider is also a good website to keep up date with new productions that are going ahead. Also social media like twitter is a really good source to find castings calls.
How to get started in finding work
Extra work is a bit like temping work: you can join as many agencies as you please.
Always be aware of which ones you do sign up to, as there are agencies who will scam you with charges and never hear from again. The four agencies recommended above are the best.
Also, Equity is a British actors union, so you can search for respected agencies there.
It’s also important to get your face out there. Each agency that you sing up with will require you to create a profile. This will have all your details including some measurements and a couple of photos. You can’t lie about your appearance as its crucial to the scene.
Always take a full length body shot along with a head shot. There is no requirement for a professional photographer to take these but you will want them to be shot in front of a plain white or grey backdrop.
But I am just a normal person not an actor?
Productions want normal everyday people, so it doesn’t matter how you look but they don’t want extras who draw attention away from the main cast.
When creating your profile always add in your talents as you’re more likely to be cast for a scene if you actually have experience in that particular field. For example if they need a skateboarder, casting agents will hire a background artist who has experience in skating.
Sometime extras do get to deliver a line of dialogue and are asked to perform more complex actions, which is great because you get more money!
There is also the opportunity of being a stand in for an actor. Stand ins are substitutes for the crew to focus on in-between takes. They may need to set lighting or focus on a particular shot. This kind of work is a lot higher paid and often booked for long periods of time.
Film extras once chosen get fed very limited information and usually disclosed a day before the actual shoot. You’ll be told your part, when to arrive and the location.
Assistant directors are normally first point of call for extras, so always make sure when you arrive to let them know. Extras are there to blend into the background, so even if you’re just to walk across a hallway, listen very carefully to your directions.
What do I need to remember?
There will be a lot of hanging about on set so remember to pack a bag full of things to keep you busy. Never use your phone, it’s a big red flag. Some larger scale production will ban use of mobile phones to prevent information from being leaked.
The bigger films sets will ask you to sign a confidentiality clause stating that you are prohibited to take pictures or discuss anything about the production.
One thing you must never to is ask for autographs, as actors are there to do their job and want to be left alone.
What is the rate of pay In the Industry ?
Generally working as an extra in the Tv and Film industry, you are booked for a couple of days at a time on each production. There are 3 main types of union agreements however depending on what part of the UK, it’s always worthwhile checking with the production beforehand.
- The FAA/PACT Agreement – The rate is £92.69 for a 9 hour shift including lunch break.
- The BBC Equity Agreement – There you will get £86.40 for a 9 hour shift including 8 hours of continuous work with a break, or a 7 hour continuous shift without a break.
- ITV Equity Agreement – pay is £79.89 for up to 10 hours of work, which 8 hours must be worked.
Production rates will vary but this is an outline of what to expect.
There are also ways to boost your income as an extra and these include:
- Working overtime
- Overnight shoots
- Being cast to appear in multiple episodes
- Being given dialogue or interaction with the main cast
- Special skill, like horse riding, gymnast or any musical ability.
Remember that most agencies take around 15% commission every time you book a job. Many charge joining feea, so be careful not to get scammed!
