Become a TV/film extra... official MoneySavingExp...

[MSE Lawrence]

This is a special discussion as part of the

Boost Your Income

article, all about

Becoming a TV/film extra

which is part of the Work, work, work section

Please feel free to add your comments, suggestions or questions

Just click reply

[Leighthal]

How does one get inot this?

[vij]

you will be able to order a newspaper called the stage it comes out on thursdays - I hope this helps

[papito]

There are also some agencies, you have to apply and give your details and describe yourself phisically and even send them a picture.
They contact if they need you in your area and if you are what they are looking for.
Some are:

www.studioextras.co.uk
www.pm-global-services.com

But I never have joined them so any advice will be needed, please

[nboldock]

Originally Posted by papito

There are also some agencies, you have to apply and give your details and describe yourself phisically and even send them a picture.
They contact if they need you in your area and if you are what they are looking for.
Some are:

www.studioextras.co.uk
www.pm-global-services.com

But I never have joined them so any advice will be needed, please

Both sites require payment in order to get through to the members areas (which is were the juicy stuff is I think).

Not too expensive though for those that are serious about getting into this.

[CCStar]

Are there any you don't have to pay to join?

[nubianhustler]

most now have started charge a fee but comes out of your first pay.
these are the top agencies

www.rayknight.co.uk
www.castingcollective.co.uk
www.leescasting.co.uk
www.2020casting.co.uk
[url]www.screenliteagency.co.uk

www.albamodel.info industry watchdog
list of other types of agencies and the scam ones, advice

[hm71]

my son & I were extras in 'Catwalk dogs' which will be on ITV soon, we were sent an e-mail from lostintv and asked if we wanted to do it. £50 a day but long boring days doing lots of standing around. there was a guy there who does loads of stuff but it all seemed a bit hectic to me.

[wr1ght]

i recently did foxy bingo ad that will be on in jan sometime,i was there 6am til 6pm and got paid last week(filmed 4th oct)wouldnt recommend it as i was knackered with a banging headache,never got travel costs and after my 1st fee ended up with a pitifull £50.00 got talking to a few extras and they reccomended a manchester company called PHA i think,they get regular work so if you want to get into it i would say look there. Good luck wannabees!!!

[sound]

I signed up to www.filmextras.co.uk and used a promotional code from a friend to claim free membership for 180 days just use the code 180DAYS when asked on signing up and pay nothing for 180 days site seems to have lots of interesting jobs and takes no commission if you find some work.

[Flickering Ember]

I'd love to do this...I have done 2 unpaid Extras so far:

The most recent Britain's Next Top Model advert
AC/DC's new video

I'd love some paid stuff.

[sound]

Originally Posted by Flickering Ember

I'd love to do this...I have done 2 unpaid Extras so far:

The most recent Britain's Next Top Model advert
AC/DC's new video

I'd love some paid stuff.

were did you find these two roles?
would have loved to be in the AC/DC's video

[osxandy]

Originally Posted by sound

I signed up to www.filmextras.co.uk and used a promotional code from a friend to claim free membership for 180 days just use the code 180DAYS when asked on signing up and pay nothing for 180 days site seems to have lots of interesting jobs and takes no commission if you find some work.

Thanks very much for the code - worked well! I've got a profile on the site now http://www.filmextras.co.uk/andyholt

Looking forward to getting some work on set!!!!!

[Chrissybh0y]

Originally Posted by MSE Lawrence

This is a special discussion as part of the

Boost Your Income

article, all about

Becoming a TV/film extra

which is part of the Work, work, work section

Please feel free to add your comments, suggestions or questions

Just click reply

SHOW ME THE MONEY !

[mollymauk]

I think Lee's casting has folded, but I can highly recommend Mad Dog Casting.

Take your yearly book fee from your first day of work, so no upfronts.

[DKLS]

Take a pack of cards/ipod/Nintendo Ds with you as it can be seriously boring and time consuming.
I did some night shoots for a film over 3 nights, which turned out to be less than 15 seconds on screen.
Upside the pay was ok, we had a laugh and the catering trailer provided fantastic food, Note talent eats first.

[sound]

leescasting
2020casting

Both websites no longer working.....

[Naykon]

Whenever I've done it the film companies just tend to ask for extras in local papers as and when they're needed, I always go along, it's easy money if your poor.

I've been in Heartbeat and the first Harry Pothead film

Heartbeat gave me £50 a day but Harry Pothead was tight, only gave me £80 for 3 days, Was 13 at the time though and got to skip school

Always take something to do, its boring as hell, loooooong periods of nothingness

Anyway, local papers are the best bet, or if your proactively looking, maybe just e-mail or write to a load of TV companies with some details and a pic of yourself.

The big film companies don't come around too often and the internet doesn't seem to be much help without coughing up some coin upfront, but extras are always in demand.

[jessesims74]

Originally Posted by nboldock

Both sites require payment in order to get through to the members areas (which is were the juicy stuff is I think).

Not too expensive though for those that are serious about getting into this.

I personaly would NOT pay to enter the members area,look at these sites i'm with, 'casting collective',and 'guy's and solls'.I do not pay to enter their site and find whats going on.There is a joining fee of £59.00 a year to each,but they have given me a lot of work e,g 'Robin Hood' starring russell crowe, 'Nine'- the musical,starring daniel day lewis, and I was given the chance to audtion,and got the speaking part in 'John lennon naked' starring christopher eccleston, for bbc 4 later this year(2010).
I do this part time as well,really good fun.The agency's take professional photos of you as well saving you money doing it your self.
Hope this helps.

[VanMan2007]

Can anyone recommend an agency/online site that deals with work in the Midlands?

I've signed up with a London agency before, but most of the work was London based, a pain in the butt to get to (often on short notice) and didn't make me any money after expenses.

Anything middle of the country would be good.

Thanks to the contributors so far, some good stuff here.