WORKING AS AN EXTRA ON A FILM

IN MY OPINION:

WILLIAM REYNOLDS;

LAST ONE I PROMISE...ABOUT WORKING AS AN EXTRA ON A FILM. THIS WAS REPRODUCED BY

A WRITER FROM 'HOLLYWOOD OF THE SOUTH' RECENTLY;

To make sure you have good experiences as an extra and put yourself in position for more work you want to consider these five “Do’s” and five “Don’ts” when on the job.

Do’s:

1. Be Respectful. The film industry is like any other business. You always want to be

extremely respectful towards anyone you that might be over you or is equal to you.

One thing to always keep in mind is that several of these feature films are million dollar

projects so they won’t hesitate to remove anyone they feel will impede the process. As

long as you listen to your assistant directors, the film’s head director if you ever met

them, and are polite with casting officials in the phone calls and emails you should be

fine.

2. Be kind. This sounds pretty elementary, but it seriously goes a long way. Sometimes your

fellow background artists aren’t always the kindest people to work with because they’ve

developed a competitive egotistical personality as they’re trying to get noticed as an actor

or an aspiring model. The hard truth is that these people are trying to launch the movie

don’t care about that. They just want the process to run as smooth as possible. If your

kindness is an asset to the movie making process people will remember you for that.

3. Follow instructions to a tee. The movie making process is tedious. Instructions to people

are usually given with great purpose. If someone has a hard time following instructions

it slows the process down. Don’t be the one that slows down the process. Always pay

attention and always bring the right items (especially clothes) that the casting office

instructs you to bring.

4. Show up early. Even though hanging out on a movie set all day can be fun, you’re there

to do a job so treat it like a job. Plus, you often get rewarded with better scene placement

or opportunities to bump up your pay if you show up early.

5. Be prepared. It is best if you show up to work camera ready. Do your own hair, makeup,

and wardrobe. If they need to change you they will, but try to save them some time. Also,

take care of bringing your identification and your paperwork so the payroll lines at the

end of the day aren’t so bad.

Don’ts

1. Don’t recite your resume. It’s understandable to want to talk about other projects you

may have done because it’s what you have in common with everyone. That really is fine,

but don’t go out of your way to impress anyone. Chances are, anyone you work with can

or has done anything up to your level of “experience” and doesn’t really care about it.

You don’t want to be seen as annoyingly arrogant. Be smart about your conversations,

and try to establish some real friendships with the people you work with.

2. Don’t try to “improv”. Assistant directors try to get you where you need and be and

lead directors are paid big money to make the film. It’s highly doubtful that your last

minute decisions to insert your “personality” into a scene will make the movie a success.

Chances are, this is not your big break and you will be edited out of the film. You’ll also

probably not be considered for many other projects.

3. Don’t hoard the snacks. Film productions usually have a “craft services” department that

provides snacks and other refreshments for you and anyone working on the scene. Don’t

lose your mind just because it’s free and start hoarding the snacks and trying to take them

home. It’s a good way to not get invited back to shoots.

4. Don’t disturb the stars. Seriously, if your project has big time Hollywood stars on set,

don’t disturb them. They are people, after all, and they are at work. No one wants to be

harassed at work. However, there are some stars that have really kind personalities and

they will make an effort to have conversation with you. In that event, be smart, talk to

them like you would anyone else. We’re all just human anyway.

5. Don’t ask multiple obnoxious questions. Like noted before, these projects are big money

operations. People in charge usually give clear precise instructions. Just pay attention intently and everything will be understood.

This article has been republished from 225 Alive.