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VOTE FOR THIS DANCING FOOL!!!
Posted October 2004: I auditioned for a music video, GET UP AND DANCE by Cesar, which is about people auditioning to be in a music video. Besides the beautiful people and the true dancers, Cesar wanted some funny bits. Please click on the photo or link below to visit Cesar's site and cast a vote to get me in the final video http://www.lttnetsolutions.com/survey/view.php?ID=16
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How To Be A Movie/Television Extra In Los Angeles
1. Why Work As An Extra?
There are several good reasons to work as an extra:
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You want to be a professional actor.·
You want to work in production.·
You love movies and want to be a part of one.·
You’re just curious.·
You’re a student looking to pick up some extra money.·
You’re currently unemployed and can use any kind of income.2. Where to Start
Los Angeles probably has the most extra work going on. While extra jobs may crop up throughout the year in movie production, most extra work occurs during the television production season roughly from August to March.
Your first step should be to sign up with Central Casting, which has most of the extra work for television and many movies shot in L.A. It costs $20 to sign up, but one job will get you your money back. Central Casting is a good place to start and find out if you want to do this work.
The phone number for registration information is (818) 562-2755. My tips for working through Central are:
Be aggressive about listening to the job lines. (Get up early during the peak season and check the lines, you might catch a rush call to work that day.) In most cases (especially for television), you are being cast to work the following day.
Be very pleasant to the Casting Director when you get through, even if the Casting Director doesn’t pick you.
If you’re booked, arrive to the set on time, camera-ready, in one of your clothing selections (unless otherwise instructed), and be professional.
Always make sure you bring a book or something to keep yourself occupied while waiting to be called to the set. You should also pack a light snack in case there isn’t any food. (Most times you’ll be fed.)
3. If I want to continue, where do I go from here?
If you find that you enjoy your experience and want more opportunities, there are independent casting directors, who cast extras for movies and television. The independents don’t have Central’s volume of work. Often they are a little more personalized. I’ve had experiences with several independent casting directors. My two favorites are Sande Alessi Casting and Jeff Olan Casting. Both companies are pleasant and professional. I also believe that Sande and Jeff are always looking to give an actor a great opportunity on those rare occasions when such opportunities arise.
To register with Sande Alessi Casting, go to www.sandealessicasting.com for further information. The fee is $20.(The website also includes information on working as an extra in the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels but, please note, you have to be in Los Angeles to work as an extra on these films.)
To register with Jeff Olan Casting, call (818) 377-4475 for more information. The fee is $25.
The other major resource I recommend is the Extra Work for Brain Surgeons book (or the Extra Work for Rocket Scientists, a short, cheaper version of the Brain Surgeons book). The book give detailed advice about working as an extra in Los Angeles.
The book is written by the same people who run the Extras Casting Guild (formerly Hollywood OS) and updated annually. The ECG is an online database where some independent directors post jobs and, sometimes, search through the talent listed in the database to fill a job. I’ve gotten work both ways through ECG. Sande Alessi and some other casting directors have ECG handle their registration process. If you plan to actively work as an extra, take a look at the ECG and the package deals they offer. I’ve found the rates pretty reasonable for what you get, but decide for yourself.
When you register at Central Casting, you’ll notice posting stating that Central Casting does not endorse ECG or its books. Ignore the posting. It has nothing to do with you. If you’re going to work as an extra in Los Angeles, you’ll need both Central Casting and ECG (at least one of their books) as resources.
4. OTHER NOTES
Here are some other random bits of information:
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Avoid any agency that charges more than a one time $20 fee, wants a cut of your non-union extra pay, advertises in the back of WORKING WORLD magazine, or claims to be booking movies or t.v. shows which are being booked by other agencies (both BACKSTAGE WEST and the Extras Casting Guild offer information about who the principle and extra casting agents are for a show).·
Only work for free as an extra if you’re getting something for it (like footage for your reel or as a favor to build contacts). There is a website, beinamovie.com, which offers you the opportunity to work as an extra for free. Usually it is on large feature films, requiring crowd scenes and most of the extras are being paid. I think that’s unfair. However, the same site did post an independent film, which I worked on through a different source, and the extras I met who came through the site at least got to work with Brad Renfro in a small scene.·
You can build your wardrobe through thrift stores. Chain thrift stores in L.A. include OUT OF THE CLOSET and Goodwill. One of my favorite thrift stores is The American Way Thrift Store in Burbank. Another good resource is OZZIE DOTS, which can be pricey, but also carries a lot of cheap costume accessories.Please let me know if you find this information helpful. Please contact me at billkelly2790@hotmail.com.
