'Extra' Work - TV/Film

Samsung_2

Does anyone know of any reputable and decent places to seek 'Extra' work or 'background artists' as it's sometimes refered to?

I've searched google and found a few places, but was just wondering if anyone on MSE has any first hand experience of what to go for, and what to avoid etc?

Many thanks

imajica

I did something for Mad Dog once and everybody who I spoke to found them good.

HOWEVER, don't do what I did and go unprepared - I didn't have my NI nimber or my sort code for filling in the payment form so I am still chasing up payment for £72 after I spent a horrible day in a grotty hell hole (Emirates Stadium ) pretending to cheer on Man U AND Arsenal (thank God nobody on here really knows me, the shame!).

hoyles10

They would have to add at least 8 zero's to the £72 for me to cheer on Manchester United

Samsung_2

imajica wrote: »

I did something for Mad Dog once and everybody who I spoke to found them good.

HOWEVER, don't do what I did and go unprepared - I didn't have my NI nimber or my sort code for filling in the payment form so I am still chasing up payment for £72 after I spent a horrible day in a grotty hell hole (Emirates Stadium ) pretending to cheer on Man U AND Arsenal (thank God nobody on here really knows me, the shame!).

Thanks. I have just been on the website and it says that if they want you, you have to go and have an interview type thing, before being accepted?

Did you go to this, what was it like? And as Mad Dog is based in London is there any alternative offices they have in the UK? (I currently live in Birmingham)

Clippyjo

I work in tv and we use Ray Knight agency.

imajica

When I did it it was all a bit last minute and one of their regular employees was given an incentive to rally as many bodies as they could, so we just turned up and had to fill in details on paper. So I can't help you on the interview side I'm afraid.

Samsung_2

Clippyjo wrote: »

I work in tv and we use Ray Knight agency.

Thanks.

Any other suggestions?

simplepete

If you live in Birmingham, you could try Janet Howe.
Bf used to be with them, and we both did work for them, and other agencies down london too.

dont expect good money though, and prepared to be acknowleged as the lowest of the low at some places. You'll be there for hours and hours most of the time, so theres a lot of waiting around, and hours are all different, sometimes you'll have to be ready for 4am, whereas sometimes you'll be ready for 2pm and finishing at 4am.
More than likely they'll expect you to go in and have an interview and get some headshots done for their books - remember you're representing the company, so if one person mucks around on set, or starts badgering the actors, you'll all get a bad name, so they'll just want to make sure they're not hiring someone bad!

I enjoyed it at the time, I was about 17, but I dont think I could put myself through it again (Lunchtime comes - all the extras starving - but have to wait for the casts leftover takeaway pizza before they can eat...true story!)

Samsung_2

^
Thanks for that post.

Been searching for 'Extra' agencies etc in Birmingham but there is nothing

ChelseaFan_2

imajica wrote: »

HOWEVER, don't do what I did and go unprepared - I didn't have my NI nimber or my sort code for filling in the payment form so I am still chasing up payment for £72 after I spent a horrible day in a grotty hell hole (Emirates Stadium ) pretending to cheer on Man U AND Arsenal (thank God nobody on here really knows me, the shame!).

Oh I can feel your pain :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

hairy_g

Samsung wrote: »

^
Thanks for that post.

Been searching for 'Extra' agencies etc in Birmingham but there is nothing

does this help?
http://www.starnow.co.uk/Casting-Calls/United-Kingdom/Birmingham/Sort-by-p/