Is it worth my time and money to take a part as an extra?

I guess that depends on how badly you need the little bit of money they pay :) Yes you also work long hours and you'll be ready to drop by the end of the night...BUT, I will say that part of it is a great social networking party. It could actually be a lot of fun! Seeing people you haven't seen in a while. Making new friends. There's always an neverending supply of food and drink, and I've been able to hobnob with some pretty big Hollywood names. I'll never forget that Martin Sheen actually knew my first name by the last West Wing Shoot that came to town! Melanie Griffeth sat and chatted with me in the Senator Theatre during "Cecil B. Demented". Give it a try, it could prove to be a good time!

I made my living in LA for 3 years as a working extra. I had a lot of fun doing it too. But the majority of ads that I find out here looking for extras do not pay, and I am getting very picky about what I will do for free. Does anyone know of any sites to sign up on for PAYING extra work out here? Thanks!

I did my first background gig this past summer on the new James L. Brooks project that was being shot in DC. Here is what I took away from the experience:

POSITIVES

- It's a really great networking opportunity! This is where I see the most value. You meet a lot of really interesting people; actors mostly.

- You can get the vouchers you need to join SAG, if you aren't already a member.

- The money is okay, at least if you're filling a union slot. If your income from acting (or anything else for that matter) is inconsistent, this is a good way to supplement it.

- If your acting resume is a little thin, working background may help fill it out a little.

- It's really fun and interesting when you're involved in a scene.

- The catering is great and food is plentiful.

- If you like being around celebrities, you can't beat it.

- Your friends who don't act will be fascinated by your experience.

- You may end up in a movie or TV show, for crying out loud!!!

NEGATIVES

- The working hours are long - VERY long!!!

- You may end up working overnight.

- The overwhelming majority of your time is usually spent sitting around the holding area, which can be really, really BORING!!!!! This one was the killer for me. Bring a book or a laptop or something to keep you occupied.

Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. As I said, the worst part for me was just sitting around for hours on end. If you can avoid death by boredom, it's not bad. I would definitely do it again. You should try it at least once, just for the experience.

One word of advice: Learn how to be a good background actor. Learn the etiquette. Learn how to behave like a pro. It's not hard, yet you're very likely to see one or two of your fellow background actors doing some very unprofessional and even embarassing things. There's plenty of information available on the Internet about it and a local actor named Gale Nemec teaches an excellent class on how to work background. She covers all the do's and don'ts for everything from etiquette to wardrobe. Her class was extremely helpful for me.

I did a couple of extra spots years ago on "Her Alibi" and "Avalon" and yes, it was long and tedious but it was also fun. I had no idea about etiquette for extras, but I think I'd really enjoy a class like that since I am getting back into background acting as well as pursuing voiceover and commercial stuff. It is a great place to meet other folk in this crazy life and share stories. I'm thrilled that I'm getting back into it.

Being an Extra is a gateway to an industry that is otherwise closed off to a greater portion of the world. Where else can you watch and learn from the greats.
Can you imagine being in the courtroom for 12 hours watching Paul Newman in the Verdict and getting paided.. Bruce Willis did it. Many, Many of our greatest stars have only been stars 15 years or less and all of them started off doing Extra work.
Where else can you go to work and leanr with a possiblity of being upgraded to a speaking part.
Professional extra work is defined as being paid for your time. Plus its a great way to network with folks with similar ambition. Of course if your in the Unions you can get paided as little as 132 per day all the way to 400 per day. If you get upgraded it's 734 per day.
Or you can sit at home and wonder why your phone never rings.
If your ambition is to become a working class actor then yes doing background... while not glamorous will pay you to learn and network.
MY two cents..... it's worth the time and energy to do background

I would advise any beginning actor to take anything and everything you can get. Extra work can be many non-positive things, but it will give you a good feel of what both smaller and larger productions can be like and give you an opportunity to watch strong professionals too. And my favorite advantage is it allows you to build relationships. Cast, crew, management, fellow extras, even if only by seeing the faces of those who are working, you are stepping into the industry. As you become more experienced, it makes perfect sense for you to create parameters for which you will work. My next step for example, was to do only extra work that pays or offers some other compensation, whether favor to a friend or IMDB credit.

Ruckman is right. If your goal is to be a working actor, then you have to put yourself out there and network. There is a chance..slim..but a chance you could get upgraded to a speaking part, who knows. I guarantee you this, it wont happen sitting on your couch. Plus you get to meet some really great people, and network into indies.

It absolutley is, especially when you are new to the game. It is a great place to network and get your self out there. Extra work is how I was able to obtain my SAG paper work, and even when I do SAG background it is great, they pay you for everything. If you love what you do, to me, the money is just an added bonus. I obviously still have my 9-5, but when you make a good name for yourself and always are being called for duty, it's a great feeling. You walk away from set hopefully making new friends, new connections and a well deserved pay check!

It is absolutely worth your time to do extra work, particularly if you aren't doing anything else. Yes, the pay is low and the hours long; but for all of the reasons named above, it is worth it. The other night I switched channels and saw "Ladder 49" on TV (which was one of my first extra jobs). Still, after all these years, it was thrilling to see myself on TV in my one little scene (and yes, I can be seen) standing next to Joaquin Phoenix...now if only I got residuals for that part :)

I agree with all of the above. If you want it, you got to work for it. Life is what you make of it.

Hey Melissa, (and others),

So much of the work you do is wrapped up in networking and who you. When I was first trying to get into this, I got an offer on myspace to do extra work for a production company. (He was legit, but I did take all the right precautions that first time working and he understood).

Since then I have gotten other extra parts from him, have worked as a crew member on many of his projects, and been able to network with many people who have given me great advice on SAG, coaches, casting calls, etc.

This is sooo much fun. But at the end of the day, it's like any other business. Every connection can lead you to another connection.

On another note, there is a great website down here ( http://www.extrasnow.com/ ) that is based off of Carlyn Davis Casting. I haven't tried it, but I have heard alot of great things about Carlyn Davis Casting - if you are looking for something it might help you.

Take Care

If you really have no clue about what shooting on a set or on location looks like then stepping in as an Extra a time or two probably won’t hurt. Just remember that your role is to be wallpaper behind the star, to provide the viewer with a vague sense of place, of activity, to work as part of a large element in a shot – i.e. an army unit, a horde of attacking Mongols (although really large crowds are now created digitally).

An Extra is specifically not to be noticed, and when they are the casting director has screwed up. So, problem one, you’re expected to be wallpaper and if you’re not you probably won’t end up in the film.

Problem two, if you make a habit of working as an Extra - and this is the part that kills me - directors and crew members come to know your face and to regard you as “just an Extra,” which risks closing the door on all but bit parts.

Here’s a better suggestion: If you’re just starting out and you think you have the potential to make it in TV and film, then downsize the vehicle, not the role. Star in a student film (they’re shown at film festivals), star in a corporate/training video, star in something clever and well done that you put on YouTube (emphasis on the clever and well done). Move to small independent films, then up from there.

You learn more about working in front of the camera when you have blocking and close-ups and lines.

And - big plus - no one will ever mistake you for wallpaper.

Extra experience is invaluable when it comes to getting any further in this buisiness. I agree with all the above when it comes to networking; that's how I met Brian Dragonuck in the first place, not to mention several people that have since panned out for independant work and other things. Plus, the things you learn watching the big-name Stars at work. I recall watching Nicholas Cage on the set of "Natl' Treasure II" do the same scene (the university quad scene) at least 150 times (no exageration!), and do it 150 different ways1 AND got to stand next to him, Justin Bartha, and Michelle Krueger at the overhead heater in between takes, and listen to them discuss how they wanted to do the take the next time! Talk about a learning experience! So yes, if you can afford the time and probally the gas, do it!

Along with what everyone has already stated, you also never know when you might be up-graded to a day player. It is not uncommon for a director or First AD (assistant director) to give an extra a line.

Just be prepared, sometimes extras are treated well, sometimes not. The most important thing is to try and learn as much as you can, make contacts and not even worry about the money.