How to Be a Movie Extra. How to Get Your Child in the Movies. How to Get Background Work in Movies, TV, Commercials, and Music Videos.

Extras are persons who appear in a film in the background and who don't have any speaking lines.

How extras look depends entirely upon the film. In some films, extras may look like ordinary people. In others, they may be of a certain ethnicity... or they might be unusual in some way (tattoos, mohawk hairdoes, biker looks, etc.)... or they may be required to have a certain "period" look. The age of an extra runs the gamut from children to the very elderly, again depending on the film or production.

There's a lot of information on being a movie extra or background actor being sold.... often with a misleading "free" come-on that turns out to be a 14 day trial with a $5 or more a week subscription thereafter.

We have put together what we believe to be the most authentic and legitimate collection of resources for finding work as an extra or background actor. Most of it is free. Where there are charges, they are reasonable for the service provided... usually a one time computer processing and reproduction fee which is a reasonable cost of doing business. For example, most casting agencies have a legitimate registration fee of $20 or $30.

By looking through the information on the website, you will wind up with a crash course in being a movie extra, including very good idea of what the job of an extra pays, and how to go about getting work.

Then, it is a question of getting your photo out to casting agencies in the area in which you expect to be working, and keeping your eye out for casting calls and new productions in your area.

We've provided some example of casting agencies, film commissions, and online data bases, all of which are excellent places to locate films and tv productions looking for extras.

Central Casting is the Top Resource for Finding Extra Work in the Los Angeles Area.

Central Casting "... Providing background actors for TV, feature films, commercials, industrials, and more, our casting directors are renowned experts in the field - often called upon to teach Director's Guild trainees and set the industry standard. Working from the largest and most diverse database of background actors, two specially designated casting directors are assigned to each show to assure individual, specialized attention. Only Central Casting offers in-house payroll processing for background actors, making us a complete one-stop shop for comprehensive, streamlined background actor services..."

Union Extras Registration

Non Union Extras Registration

Central Casting's FAQ's

Free Information on Being an Extra Outside of Los Angeles

Being a Film Extra (by the Texas Film Commission) "...Extras are an essential element of any film project. They are most often used to "fill out" scenes which require a large crowd such as a football game or parade. Extras do not have speaking roles and have little or no interaction with the stars of the film. To be an extra, you will need a recent photograph of yourself. It doesn't need to be a professional portrait - a snapshot or Polaroid is fine. Attach your name, age, address and phone number(s) to the back of the photo. The next step is to send your photo to the productions in your area that are seeking extras. For information on extras casting calls for feature films, TV movies and TV series being made in Texas; click to view the Production Hotline on our Web site. Casting information is listed on the hotline under the "Casting Calls" heading. Each production's casting call announcement will provide their contact information and instructions on their casting procedures. Photos should be submitted directly to the individual productions at the address provided in their hotline announcement. Please be advised that your photo will not be returned and you will not be contacted by the production unless you are needed for filming. Good luck!..."

LA Times Article: Working as a Film Extra Covers information about casting agencies, rates of pay, unions.

Information and Services for Movie Extras

ExtrasForMovies.com "... is a highly visible internet web site visited by casting personnel daily seeking all all levels of talent for their film, television, photography, modeling and promotional projects. Adults, kids, animal actors, models, extras and entertainers, post their picture or web page on our site to get exposure to production personnel nationwide. Members posted on the site receive casting and audition inquires if they fit the type needed for the project..." Cost $10 a year without a webpage for a state listing, $25 a year with a webpage. The Casting Calls at ExtrasForMovies.com are free to read and respond to. You should glance through these casting calls on a daily basis, as you never know when the perfect casting call has been added.

Extras Pro (USA) "... offers an entirely free basic service to all professional actors. Simply fill in our registration form to join our central database and be alerted to upcoming films and tv shows which require extras of your age and gender in your area... we'll keep you alerted to many hundreds of job opportunites in theatre, film and television. We're not an agency, our basic level of service is entirely free and we don't take commission, so you really have nothing to lose.... What is a film extra? Extras are an essential element of any film project. They are most often used to "fill out" scenes which require a large crowd such as a football game or party. Extras do not have speaking roles and have little or no interaction with the stars of the film.... To register with Extras Pro (USA) you must

• be able to provide us a digital (scanned, emailed, uploaded) picture of your full face.
• Be reliable and punctual if you accept a job through Extras Pro (USA)
• Keep us informed of your available (using our online system) to ensure you information is only passed on to productions which don't conflict with your existing work schedule

Fame by Phone "...Opportunities and auditions to become an extra / actor / actress in feature length and short films, television programmes and documentary's, music videos, commercials and many other screen productions. We post out work from many movie and television production houses across the USA..." Operates SOLELY by sending text messages by cell phone.

MovieX.com "... As the world's leading resource for movie extras, we are committed to building and strengthening our services. We're continually adding new features and growing so we may always remain a leader in this field. As a result, we have received high acclaim from industry insiders and have been published in "Teen People" and "Jump" magazines as well as USA TODAY and CNN.COM. In short, we are successful because we want our members to be successful..." Has 3 different products for sale, starting at $25 a year.... and ranging to $75 a year. Appears to be a very reasonable price for service provided.

Free Newsletters

Showbizltd.com newsletter is absolutely free!

* Casting Call Audition News
* Talent Agent Information
* Career Tips
* Discounts And Other Specials

Free Information on Being a Background Actor or "Extra" in the U. K.

The Hidden Extra: UK Film Extra's Guide "... There are many sites claiming to be agencies or online directories that charge fees for information that is free to those in the industry. The Hidden Extra aims to balance the scales by making this knowledge available to everyone and so helping reputable agencies, governing bodies and unions to eradicate profiteering in this sector of the industry. With this in mind we sincerely hope that, once armed with the knowledge to be found here at The Hidden Extra, you do not fall victim of any such cowboy operations...."

FREE U. K. Casting Reports and Directories

Actornet "... is a UK based database of actors designed as a FREE internet equivelant of the UK Actors bible "Spotlight". It's a Yellow Pages for actors. Actornet is different. Because it's electronic, it can be updated at any time for no extra charge, and you can give out your address (www.actornet.co.uk/your-name) to casting directors and they can see your up-to-date details instantly..."

Free U. K. Casting Report This is a free to use and post database of jobs, auditions, etc. Includes an "extras" category.

Ray Knight Casting Ltd "... We are an Agency specialising in the supply of supporting and walk-on Artistes for Film, Television and Commercials production in the Greater London Area. We also supply character Artistes for photographic and modelling assignments. The business has been running since 1988, and quickly became the major Agency in its field, mainly because of a reputation for quality of service and reliability. We represent only carefully selected Artistes with a professional approach to the work, and preferably with some form of theatrical, performing or media background...."

Registration Requirements

• Have some performing or media experience.
• Have a full National Insurance number and the right to work in the U.K.
• Live in the Greater London Area and have no transport problems.
• Have a high degree of availability on a day-to-day basis.
• Have a patient and compliant attitude and a genuine interest in Film and TV.

Artistes Rates of Pay

Credentials of Ray Knight Casting

U. K. Acting Organizations

BECTU "... is the independent union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas who are primarily based in the United Kingdom. The union represents permanently employed, contract and freelance workers within these sectors...."

Equity The British Actors Union

Recommended Books on Being a Movie Extra in the U.K.

You Can Be a Movie Extra "... Have you ever fancied being in the movies, or on TV? Let's face it, who hasn't! But how do you actually go about becoming an Extra, one of those lucky people who get to mix with the stars, and appear onscreen - whether it be in a battle scene in a blockbuster movie, or walking around Albert Square..."

Articles on Movie Extras Will Give You an Insight into What Landing a Job as a Background Actor Involves

“Pirates” Casting Call Draws 7000 Aspiring Extras, Sande Alessi Agency Still Seeking Applicants

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NY Casting Agencies who cast extras

List of casting agencies in New YorK

Amerifilm Casting "...mail your head shot or comp card to our office to register for background work and/or to be considered for auditions. Occasionally we have open calls to register for background work in person and those notices will be posted here or in Backstage newspaper...." 195 Chrystie St, Ste 502G,
NY, NY 10002

Background, Inc. "...extras, union and non-union, with most of the production houses in New York City and the surrounding areas. Background, Inc. mainly casts extras in commercials, but has also been involved in music videos, commercial print, industrials and promos..." 20 W. 20th Street, Suite 234
New York, NY 10011

Chantiles Vigneault Casting, Inc. Casts all types (principals and extras) for film, TV, theater, commercials, voice-overs and music videos. Works with both union and non-union. 39 W. 19th St, 12th Fl, NY, NY 10011

Donald Case Casting Inc. "... casts all types for union and non-union principal and extra work in commercials, animated features, film, television, industrials, infomercials, music videos, voice-overs, and theater, primarily through agents..." 386 Park Ave S, Ste 809, NY, NY 10016

L.A. Casting Agencies

Sande Alessi Casting See Sande's "Interview" for a good insight into what works... and what doesn't. "... A $20.00 one-time fee puts you in the fully searchable online database that Alessi and her staff  use to populate the worlds of every project they cast. Once registered, actors submit their availability on jobs listed on the Casting Couch hotline...."