Working as a film/TV extra.

whattochoose

I retired in October 2015, having worked as a RGN.
I was watching "Homes under the Hammer" recently and was interested to hear a participant explain he made his money from buying and doing up homes, and also from working as a film and TV extra.
My curiosity was instantly pricked, and I'm thinking this would be an interesting and hopefully profitable area to get involved in, particularly as I now have a lot more free time.
I'm wondering if anybody has any experience and can give any advice/tips?
Thank you.

saker75

whattochoose wrote: »

I'm thinking this would be an interesting and hopefully profitable area to get involved in.

It's not, but it is quite interesting and can be fun. I've only done films and that has involved an awful lot of waiting around for something to happen and regular attacks on the extensive complimentary catering. The pay was ok - around £300 for two days work, plus costume fitting.

If you have a skill - e.g. horse riding - you can earn reasonable money.

In your retired situation I'd suggest going for it. I found it enjoyable despite having to wade through a muddy field in Hertfordshire several times until they were happy with the footage. A group of us also did some footage completely naked and received a premium for that - although in the film you can't really see anything!

Lots of mundane roles there too. I was a Roman soldier standing outside a tent. Standing still seems more of a skill than I imagined.

I got in through a casting agency - initially for a specific film but once you're on their books you stay on.

paddyrg

As someone who's dealt with extras agencies from both sides, it's no shortcut to great riches! Days are long, and you're basically a bit of set decoration and treated accordingly - you may spend the whole day standing around outside!

Usually we use Mad Dog and Casting Collective. The rates work out very similarly, and they're two legit and honest agencies. You will have to pay the agency an annual fee, but it is taken out of the first job they get for you, and is less than a day's work. If anyone asks you for an upfront fee, run a mile - there are dodgy agencies out there too.

Can you sing, dance, etc? Anything you can do as a special ability will increase your usefulness and may also make you a 'featured extra' which gets you a few more quid.

You'll be fed on set, the food will be filling and basic - extras are often catered separately than all the other cast/crew. Nobody will pay for your travel or accommodation. It's not uncommon for some extras to take cheap lodgings locally for a longer job, or even to bring a caravanette to save more cash. There's a bit of a community - about half you meet will be "real actors" who are extras between "real" jobs, and can be curmudgeonly. The other half will be doing it for a bit of fun/experience

TBagpuss

As others have said, it's unlikely to be profitable but it could be a fun way to earn a little extra. Plan for long days with a lot of repetitious work and lots of hanging around.

agrinnall

From what Saker and Paddy have described it might be worth watching a few episodes of Ricky Gervais' Extras, as that seems to pretty much mirror the real world experience!

saker75

agrinnall wrote: »

From what Saker and Paddy have described it might be worth watching a few episodes of Ricky Gervais' Extras, as that seems to pretty much mirror the real world experience!

I think Extras works because it is realistic - definitely those "actors" that are erm regular extras.

There really is an awful lot of waiting around and some days you'll wait all day and then be sent home (paid) only to come back and do more waiting until they are ready.

paddyrg

And without question, learn to knit or take a book.

whattochoose

Many thanks for the feedback and the help and advice, it's certainly given me a few pointers about what I should do, in particular thanks to paddyrg for alerting me to a couple of the agencies out there who use people for extra work.
In my initial post I said I hoped this kind of work would be profitable. In truth, I'm in the lovely position now of not having to worry too much about career and salary requirements.
Yes, it would be nice to earn extra income being a film or TV extra, but I'm not looking to earn a fortune, and I just think it would be stimulating (for me) doing something totally different than anything I've ever done before, hopefully meeting nice and interesting people, and perhaps even rubbing shoulders with one or two celebrities.
That said, I think rubbing shoulders would be enough, having read saker75's comments about appearing naked! :shocked:
I live "up North" and this is definitely not the time of the year for letting it all hang out!
However, I might reconsider when spring comes!
Thanks again.

saker75

whattochoose wrote: »

Many thanks for the feedback and the help and advice, it's certainly given me a few pointers about what I should do, in particular thanks to paddyrg for alerting me to a couple of the agencies out there who use people for extra work.
In my initial post I said I hoped this kind of work would be profitable. In truth, I'm in the lovely position now of not having to worry too much about career and salary requirements.
Yes, it would be nice to earn extra income being a film or TV extra, but I'm not looking to earn a fortune, and I just think it would be stimulating (for me) doing something totally different than anything I've ever done before, hopefully meeting nice and interesting people, and perhaps even rubbing shoulders with one or two celebrities.
That said, I think rubbing shoulders would be enough, having read saker75's comments about appearing naked! :shocked:
I live "up North" and this is definitely not the time of the year for letting it all hang out!
However, I might reconsider when spring comes!
Thanks again.

It was just once! I've done many other more standard roles! I was with Mad Dog Casting originally.

Lucyxx

I've done some of this work but childcare/travel are a massive problem for me so it's on the back burner for now. I work part time in retail which I despise, so it was a good way for me to do something else that actually felt satisfying!

Jobs can be very short notice, which was a problem for me to be able to do them, but could work out fine for you being retired if you aren't too busy.

It is definitely a lot of waiting around! One TV job my call to set was 7.30am but I didn't actually film until 3/4pm for example! Definitely take a book/drink/snacks!

I don't know about others but didn't really notice I was working with celebrities. They just became colleagues for the day. They didn't necessarily speak to us though but I guess it depends on the celeb!

The money varies. Some jobs don't seem very well paid at all and I'm not too sure how they get away with it, others are ok. You can earn more if you get a featured role. If you provide your car for a scene then you might earn a bit extra for that too.

It's definitely interesting turning up & meeting others who do it. One show I worked on the others seemed to know each other from being on other things together. I would have loved to have watched extras! I also find I watch tv shows/adverts differently for ages after working on a job, almost seeing them from the other side!

I found I very quickly learnt the terminology used to follow the directors. The first few minutes I was on set I felt like I was winging it though!

One thing to bare in mind is legislation changed last year and you should now have a basic disclosure certificate incase you work on set with children. I think my agency recommeneded one for around £25 through Disclosure Scotland. Likewise if you get your own police uniform you can get a license to allow you to carry the uniform! (I often saw jobs for that!)

One last thing be prepared that you may not see the fruits of your labour! Lots of scenes I did just ended up on the cutting room floor!

Apologies for the bullet point nature of all that! I just typed out bits when they popped into my head! Good luck with it, it's certainly something a bit different to do, I wish I could do more of it and quit the shop! xx

whattochoose

saker75 wrote: »

It was just once! I've done many other more standard roles! I was with Mad Dog Casting originally.

I wasn't taking the mickey, saker.
I actually think it was very brave of you.