by Helen Kelly

Created on: May 01, 2008   Last Updated: May 07, 2008

"Action!" How many times have you heard those words, and wished that you could become part of the film business? It's possible for anyone to enter this creative world. You can be old, young, thin, fat, short, tall, beautiful. or ugly. There will be more jobs available for the young, and good looking people. There will be less jobs for the older, "character" types...but there will be jobs. Here is a list of what to do to get started in the extra business.

1. You will need to live in an area where these types of jobs are available. If this means moving to a major city, like Los Angeles, or New York, then that is what you must do. You must be, at most, 1 hours drive to the filming location. The competition for these jobs is fierce. Casting agents like people who can get there in a hurry.

2. You will need some type of reliable transportation to get to your extra job. A bus can be late. You cannot be late. A friend is unreliable. You would be wise to have your own personal transportation that is there for you when you need it.

3. You will have to support yourself financially while you are building your career. You will have to find some kind of flexible work, or schedule to allow you to get to your movie extra job. That is why an actor is: a waitress, a bartender, an apartment manager, a messenger, a part-time employee, or a temp who is not locked into any other career. You must be able to change your schedule, make yourself available for extra work. Since you call your casting company on a daily basis, you must have the ability to get to the film set on short notice. If you have been chosen for a job, you could have advance notice, to make arrangements at your "straight gig". However, a "rush call" means just that. Sometimes you have an hour to get to a fitting.

4. You must register with a reputable casting company. In Los Angeles, I would register with Central Casting. They have been around for many years, and are legitimate. You well have to pay a nominal fee ($20-$40 )for them to take a small picture of you for their files, and you will be required to call their offices to hear what jobs are available, on a daily basis ( call several times a day, so you don't miss a job that comes in) You will be filed in the system according to what you look like, your "age range" (this has more to do with how old you look, than how old you really are) and what other things you can do. These are called "specialties". You may dive, play pool, juggle, play an instrument, or any number

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