Being a Movie Extra
 Anyone can be an movie extra, no matter who you are or what you look like. Reason being, You Don't Get Noticed! Well, maybe if your lucky.
Extras make the shots look more realistic and natural. People don't really notice extras when watching a movie or commercial, but if there weren't any extras there the shot would look odd.
When you sign on as a movie extra, you are basically a prop that can move and be a part of the scenery. You are under the control of the director, if he wants you to stand and look pretty or run across the street screaming during the shot you must do as he wishes.
While the big movie people are deciding what to do with all the extras, you will more than likely just be sitting around doing nothing in a room full of people. Everyone sits at tables and waits for someone to direct them on to set and get ready for anything.
8-15 hours later, your done! Lets recap what you got out of that long day: a check for an amount that you probably aren't going to be pleased with, GREAT FOOD(only on big budget sets), and an experience that will help you understand the business but something you don't want to put on your resume.
 Types of Extras
- Regular Day Extra
- Special Extras
- Stand-ins
- Featured Extra
A regular extra is on the bottom of the food chain in the Glamorous world of movie extras. Essentially, a day extra is just a body that is filling in the background, usually in a big shot where the production needs hundreds of people.
A special extra is one chosen to perform a special skill or act in the background such as, juggling, skateboarding, rollerblading, and so on. Usually individuals are chosen as a special extra if they a have enough experience with the particular skill they are in search for.
Stand-ins are people chosen that are similar in height, build, and look of the principal actor. They're used to just stand there while the crew adjusts the lighting and prepares the camera. Reason being? So the pampered star doesn't have to waste their time standing around. That's what your for! But hey, you get paid more than regular extras and treated WAY better.
Featured Extras get the privilege to interact with the main actors in some way, such as ringing them up at the grocery store or handing them something in the scene. This is actually pretty good for an extra because they get a few seconds of Screen Time! You still get paid the same as a regular extra but hey you get to say "Thats ME!" when the movie comes out.
Extra Information
So you get a callback to be an extra, great. Remember when your on the phone with the casting people always be courteous because they can replace you with the snap of their fingers. Have a pen and paper ready, they are going to be spitting a lot of information at you like, the location address, your call time, what outfits you need to bring, where to park your car and so on. You might even have to go to a location a few days before for a fitting so make sure you are available.
When the big day arrives, Don't BE Late! They really hate when people are not there at least 15 minutes before their call time. Trust me, they will remember you for that too, so the next time you try to get an extra gig through the same people they might reject you if you were late or were hard to work with. Don't talk to the famous people unless they talk to you first and Don't Bring a Camera or try to take pictures. They'll have you out of there before you know it.
You're going to be around a bunch of people that are floating in the same boat as you so Network! Talk to the people around you, find out what they're doing, where they get their info from, exchange numbers and email. Remember this business is all about who you know and who they know.
Yes being a movie extra is long and boring sometimes, but make the most of it. You might not get many chances in the future. I have seen extras get bumped up to featured extras and even having small lines so when you're out there, make sure you give off good energy and someone important might notice you.
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