FAQ - How to Work as a Background Extra in a Movie

What's a background extra?
What's a typical day like for an extra?
Who can be an extra, and how?
Do extras get paid?
Can extras meet the stars or attend the premier?

What's a background extra? Background extras play people in the background of a movie scene. If a scene takes place at noon on Newbury St., it must be full of people who fit in there--students, shoppers, a musician, a cabbie etc. Background extras play these parts, but they don't do much. They might pass the main actors during a street scene, or drink a fake beer during a bar scene. Even if extras appear to be talking, they're usually just mouthing the words without any sound.

What's an extra's day like? Extras do their own hair, wardrobe and make-up before arriving on the set for a 14-hour day, as early as 5:00 a.m. Extras will then find out how much additional help they'll get with styling--sometimes a lot, sometimes none! There will be an area called "holding," where the extras spend most of their time. Rules say the actors must be fed regularly. There will be enough food and drink, and it will probably be good! An extra's time actually acting ranges from 0 to a couple hours, so bring something to amuse yourself, like books or work.

Can I be an extra, and how? Almost anyone can be an extra, though not in every movie! Your best bet is to respond promptly to the local casting calls, and to be available on short-notice and for long days. Have a friend take a nice, clean close-up photo of you. You don't need to look like a model. It's more important that your photo really looks like you. You can upload your photo to casting agents like Boston Casting, or print and send in size-cards and photos to agents like C.P. Casting.

There are lots of movies filming in Boston; it's a small city; you're likely to be hired. Once hired, be punctual, prepared, and good-natured, and you're likely to find more work. Subscribe to Beantown Scoop's RSS feed and check out our casting links to stay on top of the latest casting opportunities! If you are lucky, you might even be cast in a speaking role!

Do extras get paid? Yes. Non-union extras usually make $8 to $10 dollars per hour. Since there's so much activity right now in Boston, some non-union extras are getting union waivers, and earning $200 to $300 per day. If you are cast in even a very small speaking role, you will earn at least around $1,000 per day!

Can background extras meet the stars and attend the premier? Nope! Extras can get kicked off the set just for talking to the stars! Your name won't make it into the credits, either! If you're in it for fame, you'll be disappointed, but if you want a new experience that may lead to more, then go for it!