Being a movie or TV show extra is something that few people think about doing, but if you are into adventure and excitement you might want to consider giving it a shot. There are many reasons that being a movie or TV show extra can be a great experience and there is very little to lose by trying.

Being a movie or TV extra can sometimes pay fairly well. Even though some projects use extras that are not paid, you almost always at least get free food and drinks for the day. Being an extra can be quite a fun experience, especially for anyone interested in the movie or TV business. If you would like to become a writer, actor, producer, director, or a tech, then being a movie or TV show extra is a great way to see the behind the scenes processes and see if “the business” is right for you.

There are many ways to become a movie or TV show extra. Living in or near a city which is home to a movies filming is a great start. If you live in or around New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, or San Diego, you have many opportunities to become an extra, and it is only a matter of time before you get picked. You can also become a television extra, especially if you live around Hollywood.

You can use casting agencies to help get you work as an extra. Most casting agencies do not charge money for people trying to be extras. Many casting agencies can even get you work as an extra in a very short time. The amount you get paid will vary from a fair amount, to almost nothing, to absolutly nothing. You should not expect to make a living as an extra, but it can be a good source of additional income and is at least a fun experience.

Getting picked as an extra often depends on how you look, but you do not need to appear as if you are a model to get picked. Most casting directors actually look for average looking people to be extras. You can look a bit scruffy, overweight, or unusual and have a very good chance of being chosen. Many movies have specific requirements and look for people of a certain height, weight, or that have tattoos, long hair, or a beard.

Being a movie or TV extra takes a lot of patience since you will often have to wait around for long periods of time and repeat the same scenes many times. If you go to an open casting call, you may spend your entire day in line and not even get picked. This is made easier if you bring friends and food along. You can make a very fun time out of it.

Being a movie or tv show extra can be a boring experience since you might be continuously repeating the same action over and over (such as taking a sip of tea at a certain cue), but it can also be fun and exciting. Don’t expect to see your name in the film or tv shows credits, but you can always (at every opportunity!) point out where you are in the movie or TV scene!