Movie : How to become a movie extra
To break into the acting world may be your biggest dream and your most daunting task. It takes lots of hard work, long hours, minimal pay, and pure luck. In order to succeed in making it onto the big screen you must possess the passion it takes to get there.
One of the most important things to have, besides raw talent, is a professional portfolio. You must go into an audition with a picture to leave behind,along with a resume of your acting accomplishments and training. Casting directors see too many faces to remember you by name at the end of the day. Also, remember to leave a phone number with an appropriate voice mail. The casting director will most likely hang up on you if the other line says something like, “Yo, it’s me, I ain’t here, holla at the beep.”
Next, contact your local area talent agencies. Depending on your geographical area the choices can be slim or abundant. If you live in a small town in the hills, consider moving or visiting a known breakthrough city frequently. Although you can make it from a small, town the odds are typically stacked against you. Once you have found a few trusted agencies, inquire about additional training classes, acting organizations, and photographers they use. This will show them you are truly interested in this line of work and you are willing to give the effort to succeed.
Once you are registered, trained, and on your way to stardom begin going out to as many auditions as possible within your limits. Don’t compromise your morals or values in any way for success, but you must get out there and show your face. If your agent sends you to a UPS commercial as an extra in a crowd of 1000 other people and you receive $25.00 for 17 hours of work, don’t give up. What if they edit the tape and you wind up on the air the whole 30 seconds of that commercial for millions to see? What if that 30 seconds gets you a movie deal? Keep a positive attitude, your agent will be more willing to send you out on larger assignments and acting crews will realize you are a pleasure to work with.
An experienced extra can make hundreds to even a thousand dollars a day. It takes allot of work to get there. In the beginning, you will most likely spend much more than you make. This includes time and money. If acting is truly your dream then it will all be worth it if you can wake up everyday looking forward to another exciting quest.
Learn more about this author, Angela Rose.
