Become a TV/film extra... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

britstar28

My first post in this thread, hi all. I can see people have taken on jobs as a Supporting artist and have been underpaid, here is a scale of what you actually earn as a Tv/Film Supporting artist. I have also added a few reputable online agencies, great if your just starting out and want to build your casting CV before being accepted with the bigger agencies.

For a standard basic Daily rate 0700-2200 is £79.59
Standard Night 1630-0630 is £99.47
Half hourly over time rate Standard Day 0700-2200 is £7.46 Standard Night 1630-0630 is £9.33
Public Holiday rate Standard Day 0700-2200 is £119.42 and standard night is £149.22
Public Holiday overtime rate per half hour Standard Day 0700-2200 is £11.19 Standard Night 1630-0630 is £13.99.

There a load of bogus agencies out there, get your foot in the door and once on set you will get to know all the reputable agencies. The good ones are London and SE Casting Collective Solomon Artistes 2020 Casting SA19 MadDog Casting Sandra Reynolds Guys and Dolls Susan Scott Lookalikes

Ray Knight Casting Fresh Agents Phoenix Casting agency The Eliot Agency The Screenlite Agency

The Casting Network

Out Of London Agencies

PHA Casting ( Manchester) United Casting (Glasgow) Oska's Agency (Cardiff, Wales) 10 Twenty Two Casting (Liverpool)

Please note these are all proffesional and well established agencies, most won't take you on unless you have had experience. I have compiled a few online agencies, no experience need but good for the casting CV. If in London I know MadDog will take you on even if you haven't had any experience. Here is a few you should consider registering with. I have been with extras.co.uk and Starnow.com but there never seems to be any paid jobs, mostly student jobs, unpaid. Have fun and don't get ripped of with the many scrupulous agencies out there. You can find all there sites in Google.

alanaherron
angelstages
universalextras

Bethan

Thanks Britstar - really helpful. Can you help with any legit agencies in the Midlands please?

paddyrg

I did 5 days with CastingCollective £100+/day but then they deduct their fees (15%) plus VAT plus NI before you get the remainder. There's an annual fee of £75 if you want to be on their book, but they have occasional "we need 500 vilagers - fast!" type open calls when they need more heads, and then keep you on for the remainder of the year. You do not pay an upfront fee, only ever get it knocked off your next wage.

But it is hard to make a living as an SA - after deductions you may get £70-75 for a 12 hour day, early starts in rural locations so a car is essential, as is a B&B (you will bee too knackered to socialise, and you will just want to shower off the makeup, etc). Do it for the experience, not the money.

jonapova

Anything in Cheshire area?

marleyboy

I got paid £200 for a fifa commercial, all I had to do was spend a few hours watching Wayne Rooney playing on a Playstation game. They pay Extras in cash after filming.

Emma Stafford Casting are based in Manchester (I think London too), but their is no sign up fee, register with them including a photo and CV.

This is the latest email I received, if your interested, feel free and Good Luck

This is another one of the shorts from Vision+Media's Green Shoots.

email me at alex@emmastafford.tv if you or anyone you know is suitable for this project:

Butterflies (working title) follows Nathan as he is taken under the wing of an older boy who provides with a much needed escape from his lonely life.

About Green Shoots:
Green Shoots is an annual short film scheme, funding up to six short films with budgets of £2,500.

Whilst (very) low budget, the quality of films is excellent; two of Vision+Media's Green Shoots have been selected for competition at this years Bristol Encounters.

Producer: Jolene Rathmill

Director: Joe Carter

Location: Morecambe

Dates (Shooting, Rehearsal, etc.): Pencilled for the last week in March. (This is subject to change depending on cast and crew availability)

Casting Details: Will contact if required.
________________________________________

Role: Nathan (Male)

Description: 16 (must be over licence age) to play younger (13/14)

A lonely lad whose awkward exterior hides his inner brightness and sensitivity.

The victim of the bored town bullies, Nathan spends his days wandering the streets of Morecambe.

Agreements / Contracts / Fees: Expenses only. (including travel, over-nights etc)
________________________________________

Role: Cod (Male)

Description: Age 17-19.

What may be described as a 'chav'.

Being brought up in a rough area Cod had to learn quickly how to stay out of trouble from the bigger lads, and as a result he has a cocksure ‘man about town’ manner.

Agreements / Contracts / Fees: Expenses only. (including travel, over-nights etc)
________________________________________

Role: Mason (Male)

Description: 16 (must be over licence age) to play younger (14/15)

Mason is big for his age, maybe overweight.

He comes from a quite well off family with a successful business. Consequently he thinks he doesn’t have to try hard at school because he is guaranteed a job.

An arrogant lad of average intelligence who despite what he thinks of himself is cocky, spiteful and unpleasant.

Agreements / Contracts / Fees: Expenses only. (including travel, over-nights etc)

jonapova

Anyone heard of EKA & Eurokids agency??
Legit or not?
I applied and have just been accepted. Need to do a photoshoot for my portfolio which is £179ish. please help

briggsbear

Im based in Scotland and would only be available evenings and weekends. Is it likely I would have much on offer from any company?

esseesee

My latest issue of Which? magazine actually mentions extras.co.uk in a small article on saving and earning extra money.

This is a bit worrying, given the experiences of earlier posters. I was under the (clearly mistaken!) impression that Which? does a bit of basic checking out before blithely posting websites which its members might visit and use.

I'm semi-retired and looking to earn extra money in ways that suit me but which enable me to take time off as and when I want ie I don't want a tie-me-down 9-5 job, or at least not for more than a couple of months. I was thinking that working as an extra might be interesting, as I have no objection to standing about on long boring days, I would like travelling to different parts of the country and meeting new people, and I have all sorts of (useless in the commercial world) skills, attributes and experience which might be useful to producers (eg I can spin on a spindle, hand-milk sheep, goats and cows, ride and drive horses, speak Russian etc etc) but on reading of the scams and problems encountered, I think I might look into something else.

Ezzie

I really don't think you should let the fact there are lots of scams put you off using the reputable agencies! It is a good way to earn money if you don't mind hanging around and travelling - and, as you say, you also have extra skills that might be beneficial. Just check out the reputable agences, of which there are many around London especially.

To mention again my earlier post - has anyone had any dealings with Lemon in Manchester?

viktory

victoriabwfc wrote: »

well she doesnt have the best teeth to begin with and living in a council house i guess shell have black ones soon. Thats if she stops ripping people off!!!

Excuse me? Would you like to enlarge on that comment?