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Films are made everywhere these days, and there is an excellent chance you can become an extra in film, commercials, television, or even print ads for local newspapers. The first thing you want to do is search the yellow pages or look online for agencies that handle the casting of extras. There should be no charge for them to take you on as a client. If you have any experience in modeling or other theatrical work, you should prepare a resume, and include all your skills, such as roller skating or singing, or dancing.

Where To Begin
1. Locate an extras agency in your locale.
2. Prepare a simple resume including your personal details.
a/For women: shoe size, glove size, height, weight, dress size, jacket size
b/For men: height, weight, shoe size, collar size, shirt size, trousers
3. You may include your hair and eye color, and mention any skills you have, such as roller skating, or acrobatics.

The agency will likely have you fill out a form, however it is a good idea to leave your resume with them as well as a current head shot. The photograph can be a professional one, or a candid one. In any casem it's more than likely they will take a digital photo of you on the spot, as many agencies have their talent listed online. You should dress well, but casually, as someone at the agency will likely interview you. Relax and just be yourself.

In many cases extras are selected with as much care as the actors. If you don't get a call right away, don't be disappointed, your look will happen. If you are called to an audition, you will be advised as to the content of the project. Be prepared to leave a copy of your resume and head shot with the casting agency representative. You will have been given a time to arrive, and will be called in turn. By this time you should know how to slate. When you are called in to appear in front of the Casting Director, who represents the project owner, you will stand, holding a card with your number on it, and face the camera in three consecutive directions, giving the Director a visual reference of your full face and a profile.

When your turn comes, relax and follow the directions you are given. Then, you are finished. You may get a "callback" for a second audition. The same rules apply the second time around.

Once you are chosen, you will be given a phone contact, and directions to the set where the production is in progress. Extras often have to wait in out of the way places until they are needed, but not always. In music videos, and commercials, you may be required to be in place until the principal photography is complete.
You will get to know the rules very quickly, and begin to have fun being an extra. Your salary may be as little as $100 a day, and as much as $450. It depends on the project budget and the number of extras needed.

On some occasion, you may want to respond to a "cattle call", where there may be hundreds of extras needed in a particular situation. They don't pay as well for a crowd scene extra, but it may be a lot of fun anyhow.

Learn more about this author, Jacquie Schmall.
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