Lately, I have been getting asked a lot at my public presentations “how can I become an extra in a movie shooting in town?” So much so, that I figured it would be timely to reprise my comments on the subject from a couple of years ago. If you follow the Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) website and newsletter, you may have seen a posting stating: “Casting Call for Extras” or “Extras Needed” in conjunction with film projects being shot in the Cleveland area. If you are an actor like me, you will almost certainly have received an email from local casting directors like Angela Boehm, Lillian Pyles, or Marcy Ronen announcing the same. Whether you have been an extra (also known as “background”) before, or have never set foot on a movie set, this post is for you!

While you don’t have scripted lines and your face may not get much if any camera time, background actors bring a scene to life. One might say that it makes the scene and the movie, more real. For example, one of the most famous scenes from the movie Judas and the Black Messiah which was filmed here in Cleveland at a local church, was when the main protagonist, Fred Hampton, played by Daniel Kaluuya, delivered a “call and response” monologue to dozens of background actors seated in the pews. Kaluuya played off the real-life energy of those extras, resulting in such a memorable performance in that scene, it likely garnered him the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role that year. Or try to imagine a park scene in which two lead actors deliver their dialogue while walking through an empty park. It would probably feel, well, empty.

Extras are film industry professionals who play an important role in the making of a film. Some actors in major markets like Hollywood, Atlanta, NYC, and LA have literally made a career out of primarily being an extra, appearing in numerous film, television, and commercial productions. It may well be the epitome of being a character actor and makes for great dinner time conversation with friends and family. Films like Superman hire scores of folks and are looking for real people. Meaning you!

Whether you have lines or not, you are still acting in every sense of the word. So, you should take every action the director gives you as much to heart as the lead characters are, even if it is simply playfully tossing a frisbee in the distant background of that park scene. Extras, despite the low pay, are an integral part of the team, get fitted with wardrobe, and even have their own gathering area on a film set. Who knows, you might get lucky and end up with some decent camera time like I did when I was an extra in the movie Hoffa, filmed in Detroit. My reporter character ended up right next to star Jack Nicholson as Hoffa, amongst a slew of others, where I got a great close-up, and my microphone in Jack’s face as he delivered one of his most important monologues of the film.

Following are a few comments on what to expect and some words of advice if you are selected to be a background actor:

• 1. Be yourself. When filmmakers are selecting background actors, they are looking for real people who will complement the scenes being shot in a movie. They are not looking for a room full of people who look like Denzel Washington or Kate Beckinsale, so come as you are. Big productions will usually have wardrobe on location they will put you in, especially if it is a “period” film. Sometimes you may be asked to bring some of your own clothes to wear. Bring/wear clean underwear and have a variety of socks, belts, and shoes. Be sure to keep track of all your belongings in any event.
• 2. Be on time! Show up at least 15 minutes before your call time. Be prepared for a long workday, usually a 12-hour day, or more. So, bring along a good book, as you may find yourself sitting and waiting to be called to set more often than you will be working. Background actors are often asked to arrive on set before nearly everyone else. Even before some of the crew and main characters. This allows for enough time to arrive at the designated parking area, lug your stuff inside, or hop on a shuttle to what is called the “Holding Location” or “Extras Holding”. Once there, you will fill out paperwork, maybe get fitted for wardrobe if they have an idea of what scene(s) they might plan to put you in. Since each day on a set is different, an Assistant Director (AD) may need you to report right away to the set or may not need you until later. Don’t leave until you are told you are released! Sometimes it may seem like you have been forgotten, but trust me, that is not the case.
• 3. Be ready. While you will find yourself waiting quite a bit, be ready at a moment’s notice to report to set. The more opportunities you get to be involved in filming a given scene, the better chance you might have of seeing yourself in the final product. Actors who can respond immediately to an AD’s call, will ingratiate themselves to the production team. Even though waiting is part of the gig, don’t let people hear you complaining or looking impatient. Be strategic with your bio breaks so that you are prepared to go on set when called and try not to get too antsy if a scene runs longer than your bladder can take. LOL. So, make sure to go BEFORE you know you have to report to set.
• 4. Be professional and friendly. Even though a movie set is not meant to be a social hour, and time is money, you are still interfacing with human beings. Although some of the crew may seem a bit high strung and testy, it is not personal. Everyone is on a schedule, and you want to ensure that you are keeping things moving forward smoothly. Smile, introduce yourself to crew and your fellow actors and others when and where appropriate. You don’t want to make a spectacle, but you do want folks to “know you were there” in a positive way. Being an extra on one film could lead to getting hired onto another in a speaking role or as part of the production crew. Oh, and when you are filming, follow the precise direction you are given, and don’t look into the camera or otherwise try to draw attention to yourself unless you are directed to do so. When they say, “back to one,” that means return immediately to where you began the scene. It goes without saying, no autograph or selfie requests with the main characters (stars) while on set even though some are quite cordial!
• 5. Be courteous and aware of your surroundings. Food and drink is typically provided. Some films provide breakfast as a courtesy, although sometimes extras are expected to have eaten breakfast already. To be safe, eat a little something before you arrive so you aren’t starving, and give yourself time for that morning elimination. Lunch or dinner depending on call time will be provided, and there is craft (snack) service and plenty of water, throughout the day. If you have any special dietary restrictions or needs, come prepared in case what is being provided is limited. In any event, drink plenty of water and plan snacks accordingly. And don’t try to “get your money’s worth” and eat everything in sight! You never know when someone may be watching, and snitching. See #4.
• 6. Be a sponge. Besides being a Production Assistant (PA), working as an extra is another way to get an education about what goes on during a film production. Keep your eyes and ears open not only for your own direct work instructions, but to what is going on around you, what preparation goes into shooting a scene, proper set decorum, what kinds of interactions are happening, forms being filled out, the different shot angles and other actions that go into building a given scene.

As a background actor (extra), you are a film industry professional, and important to a scene looking authentic in the final product. You are the one getting direction before even the main characters do in most cases. When a scene is ready to begin shooting it is not simply the word “action”. It is normally, “roll film, background, AND action!” Now go have some fun!

See you in the movies,

LP