TV extras and film extras work is a rocky type of living. You may be fortunate enough to get signed up for an entire film or maybe the complete schedule of a new Television series. However, most of the time you will probably be booked for individual scenes, perhaps over the course of a day or maybe a couple of days. Not many people develop a steady living through film extras or TV extras jobs and you will regularly find yourself performing alongside university students, self-employed or retired persons, who can arrange their particular workload to accommodate the occasional additional job. Despite the fact that just about anyone can be employed in the TV extras and movie extras sector, it isn't a full time vocation that is designed to provide you with a dependable income.
The actual salaries for extras work can vary greatly. Usually there are set Equity rates applied by the likes of the BBC, ITV and independent film companies, which may differ quite significantly, depending on the sort of work you need to do. Payments can range from around £67 a day, up to around £135 and higher. These numbers are according to Equity rates established at August 2007. More recent information can be found on the Equity website.
Filming locations for TV extras or film extras may possibly entail travelling rather long distances
Just like the job itself is often unpredictable, so can the location! Production companies hardly ever pay travelling expenses except when they happen to be working in a remote place where it is not possible to obtain local extras. Many of the most significant film studios are positioned around the London region. However, when they are not filming in the studio they might be filming any place in the country and will almost certainly be looking to find film extras or TV extras from the nearby catchment area, appropriate for their location. Nonetheless, it doesn’t really matter too much where you live providing you are able to travel a reasonable distance.
Will you be expected to interview or audition for any role?
The short answer is – highly unlikely! Out of many extras parts I've undertaken, I can only remember auditioning for two roles- one of them was to have a talking part in Crimewatch, and the other involved a created for TV movie on the subject of Princess Diana.
Do you need to be a minimum age to perform in the TV extras or movie extras business?
Age isn't technically an issue, as a variety of people are required for background work and this includes as young as a baby as well as as old as old may be! Anybody who will be under 16 does need to possess a licence from their local council, although stage schools may be used as for this, by providing their pupils on an open licence. After you reach the upper age limits, the only real aspect to consider is whether or not you will find the staying power to deal with what may well be a prolonged and hard day.
Taking everything into account, is it seriously worth it?
Whether it's actually worth the effort to you personally is determined by exactly what you expect to get out of it. If you are seeking the excitement of working on a major movie or next to a famed actor, then yes, it is worth the effort. If you’re seeking some work experience, to reinforce your specialist acting training, then again yes, it is worthwhile.
But, if you are hoping to earn a long term living from employment in the extras industry, then in my view, no it’s not worthwhile! The money could possibly be really good, particularly if you are lucky enough to end up being scheduled for a series, or the length of a production and you get night time filming, direction, walk-ons, etc. Unfortunately, that’s not the standard in the profession and it would certainly be stupid to rely on something such as that.
Ben Jones has spent many years working in the TV Extras and Movie Extras industry, prior to joining StarsInMyEyes.TV.
His wealth of experience in the industry is particularly helpful when reviewing TV Extras & Movie Extras opportunities and also roles involving Acting Auditions & Film Auditions.