Film Extras - is it worth it?
Discussion
I will be retiring in just over 3 months and have picked up a few volunteering roles. This morning I had an advert from a Film and TV extra agency. There's a retention fee - about £30 per year. Obviously there's no guarantees of work. Has anyone done this and made any money from it? Looking at the pay rates it seems a day's work will pay for the retention fee.
It's not going to be a sole source of income, but is it just some kind of pyramid scheme for the starstruck?
SD.
It's not going to be a sole source of income, but is it just some kind of pyramid scheme for the starstruck?
SD.
shed driver said:
I will be retiring in just over 3 months and have picked up a few volunteering roles. This morning I had an advert from a Film and TV extra agency. There's a retention fee - about £30 per year. Obviously there's no guarantees of work. Has anyone done this and made any money from it? Looking at the pay rates it seems a day's work will pay for the retention fee.
It's not going to be a sole source of income, but is it just some kind of pyramid scheme for the starstruck?
SD.
A retention fee?It's not going to be a sole source of income, but is it just some kind of pyramid scheme for the starstruck?
SD.
I was going sign up to a couple of film extra's agencies, but got a full time job instead. I don't remember any fee's at all, like fashion modeling agencies, the good ones don't charge fee's, so try to find some that don't charge.
Try this one, you will have to register on POP as well, link is on web page
https://www.catnapcasting.com/artists
https://www.catnapcasting.com/artists
I've been doing this work on and off for about 10 years now, inbetween jobs etc, so I'll try and give an objective opinion.
I only know one person who makes a full time living as an SA (Supporting Artist). Everyone else has a second income, partner with income, doing it part-time etc.
If you live outside London, be prepared to travel. There's much more work in London, (and it pays notably more) but also more people doing the work.
Some cities, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff have plenty of filming work, so it helps if you have easy access to them.
You will need a reliable car. Many filming locations are in remote areas away from public transport and filming often starts before public transport would get you there.
Some agencies do have annual charges, but these should be taken from your first wages; never pay up front. One or two are noted for only ever giving people 1 day's work per year...
Being punctual and reliable is far more important than your looks. They don't generally need model looks (unless they specifically ask for them). They do need people to turn up at the right place, at the right time, with the correct clothes, and to stay for the entire day (and possibly somewhat later)
It's a genuinely brilliant way to meet lots of wonderful people from all walks of life; all ages, sizes colours etc.
The food is generally pretty good.
Films (as opposed to TV series) are generally around London.
As an SA, you are at the bottom of the food chain on any set. Everyone has priority over you.
Your chances of really meeting (let alone talking to) anyone famous are remote. You will see them on set, you might sit/stand next to them, but you rarely get to actually 'meet' them. As an SA, you are forbidden from initiating conversations.
Watching how TV programmes are made is fascinating, especially if you already have an interest in the industry. The sheer amount of work, equipment, and numbers of people for even small productions is outstanding.
You get to see some places that the general public never normally get to see (good and bad).
Days, including your travel, can be very long.
I've spent the last 3 months doing a well-funded series in a 'stone building' (treated mdf) with two very famous British male actors, plus another GoT regular and another 5-6 who are well known character actors. I got one line delivered to one of them, had to speak to another as I was going to be following them through a door and that was it...
Best bits; People and food
Worst bits; Freezing cold locations (They're always cold somehow), being treated like s
t by certain departments (sometimes).
HTH.
I only know one person who makes a full time living as an SA (Supporting Artist). Everyone else has a second income, partner with income, doing it part-time etc.
If you live outside London, be prepared to travel. There's much more work in London, (and it pays notably more) but also more people doing the work.
Some cities, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff have plenty of filming work, so it helps if you have easy access to them.
You will need a reliable car. Many filming locations are in remote areas away from public transport and filming often starts before public transport would get you there.
Some agencies do have annual charges, but these should be taken from your first wages; never pay up front. One or two are noted for only ever giving people 1 day's work per year...
Being punctual and reliable is far more important than your looks. They don't generally need model looks (unless they specifically ask for them). They do need people to turn up at the right place, at the right time, with the correct clothes, and to stay for the entire day (and possibly somewhat later)
It's a genuinely brilliant way to meet lots of wonderful people from all walks of life; all ages, sizes colours etc.
The food is generally pretty good.
Films (as opposed to TV series) are generally around London.
As an SA, you are at the bottom of the food chain on any set. Everyone has priority over you.
Your chances of really meeting (let alone talking to) anyone famous are remote. You will see them on set, you might sit/stand next to them, but you rarely get to actually 'meet' them. As an SA, you are forbidden from initiating conversations.
Watching how TV programmes are made is fascinating, especially if you already have an interest in the industry. The sheer amount of work, equipment, and numbers of people for even small productions is outstanding.
You get to see some places that the general public never normally get to see (good and bad).
Days, including your travel, can be very long.
I've spent the last 3 months doing a well-funded series in a 'stone building' (treated mdf) with two very famous British male actors, plus another GoT regular and another 5-6 who are well known character actors. I got one line delivered to one of them, had to speak to another as I was going to be following them through a door and that was it...
Best bits; People and food
Worst bits; Freezing cold locations (They're always cold somehow), being treated like s
t by certain departments (sometimes).HTH.
stackmonkey said:
I've been doing this work on and off for about 10 years now, inbetween jobs etc, so I'll try and give an objective opinion.
I only know one person who makes a full time living as an SA (Supporting Artist). Everyone else has a second income, partner with income, doing it part-time etc.
If you live outside London, be prepared to travel. There's much more work in London, (and it pays notably more) but also more people doing the work.
Some cities, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff have plenty of filming work, so it helps if you have easy access to them.
You will need a reliable car. Many filming locations are in remote areas away from public transport and filming often starts before public transport would get you there.
Some agencies do have annual charges, but these should be taken from your first wages; never pay up front. One or two are noted for only ever giving people 1 day's work per year...
Being punctual and reliable is far more important than your looks. They don't generally need model looks (unless they specifically ask for them). They do need people to turn up at the right place, at the right time, with the correct clothes, and to stay for the entire day (and possibly somewhat later)
It's a genuinely brilliant way to meet lots of wonderful people from all walks of life; all ages, sizes colours etc.
The food is generally pretty good.
Films (as opposed to TV series) are generally around London.
As an SA, you are at the bottom of the food chain on any set. Everyone has priority over you.
Your chances of really meeting (let alone talking to) anyone famous are remote. You will see them on set, you might sit/stand next to them, but you rarely get to actually 'meet' them. As an SA, you are forbidden from initiating conversations.
Watching how TV programmes are made is fascinating, especially if you already have an interest in the industry. The sheer amount of work, equipment, and numbers of people for even small productions is outstanding.
You get to see some places that the general public never normally get to see (good and bad).
Days, including your travel, can be very long.
I've spent the last 3 months doing a well-funded series in a 'stone building' (treated mdf) with two very famous British male actors, plus another GoT regular and another 5-6 who are well known character actors. I got one line delivered to one of them, had to speak to another as I was going to be following them through a door and that was it...
Best bits; People and food
Worst bits; Freezing cold locations (They're always cold somehow), being treated like st by certain departments (sometimes).
HTH.
This is fascinating stuff - particularly the part about not being allowed to initiate a conversation! I guess this level of discipline is necessary?I only know one person who makes a full time living as an SA (Supporting Artist). Everyone else has a second income, partner with income, doing it part-time etc.
If you live outside London, be prepared to travel. There's much more work in London, (and it pays notably more) but also more people doing the work.
Some cities, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff have plenty of filming work, so it helps if you have easy access to them.
You will need a reliable car. Many filming locations are in remote areas away from public transport and filming often starts before public transport would get you there.
Some agencies do have annual charges, but these should be taken from your first wages; never pay up front. One or two are noted for only ever giving people 1 day's work per year...
Being punctual and reliable is far more important than your looks. They don't generally need model looks (unless they specifically ask for them). They do need people to turn up at the right place, at the right time, with the correct clothes, and to stay for the entire day (and possibly somewhat later)
It's a genuinely brilliant way to meet lots of wonderful people from all walks of life; all ages, sizes colours etc.
The food is generally pretty good.
Films (as opposed to TV series) are generally around London.
As an SA, you are at the bottom of the food chain on any set. Everyone has priority over you.
Your chances of really meeting (let alone talking to) anyone famous are remote. You will see them on set, you might sit/stand next to them, but you rarely get to actually 'meet' them. As an SA, you are forbidden from initiating conversations.
Watching how TV programmes are made is fascinating, especially if you already have an interest in the industry. The sheer amount of work, equipment, and numbers of people for even small productions is outstanding.
You get to see some places that the general public never normally get to see (good and bad).
Days, including your travel, can be very long.
I've spent the last 3 months doing a well-funded series in a 'stone building' (treated mdf) with two very famous British male actors, plus another GoT regular and another 5-6 who are well known character actors. I got one line delivered to one of them, had to speak to another as I was going to be following them through a door and that was it...
Best bits; People and food
Worst bits; Freezing cold locations (They're always cold somehow), being treated like s
t by certain departments (sometimes).HTH.
Can people with zero stage and or acting experience just do this for fun? Do you tend to get "crowd" roles or like, sat in a café with a brew?
It's interesting you got a line, how were you selected for that?
Sorry to turn this into an AMA I find it all pretty interesting.
When they were filming The Kings Speech up here in West Yorkshire, I worked for the hotel chain where the cast and crew stayed. We got pally with a few of the casting directors and half the staff ended up being extras. I never ended up doing it, which is gutting to this day. I got to meet Colin Firth though!
Jimmy No Hands said:
This is fascinating stuff - particularly the part about not being allowed to initiate a conversation! I guess this level of discipline is necessary?
Can people with zero stage and or acting experience just do this for fun? Do you tend to get "crowd" roles or like, sat in a café with a brew?
It's interesting you got a line, how were you selected for that?
Sorry to turn this into an AMA I find it all pretty interesting.
When they were filming The Kings Speech up here in West Yorkshire, I worked for the hotel chain where the cast and crew stayed. We got pally with a few of the casting directors and half the staff ended up being extras. I never ended up doing it, which is gutting to this day. I got to meet Colin Firth though!
In theory, it's to stop fans and to allow the 'stars' to focus on their lines / character etc. In reality, most of the soap' regulars' that I've interacted with are actually pretty friendly and will start a conversation themself, especially once you've been on a show for a while and they know who you are.Can people with zero stage and or acting experience just do this for fun? Do you tend to get "crowd" roles or like, sat in a café with a brew?
It's interesting you got a line, how were you selected for that?
Sorry to turn this into an AMA I find it all pretty interesting.
When they were filming The Kings Speech up here in West Yorkshire, I worked for the hotel chain where the cast and crew stayed. We got pally with a few of the casting directors and half the staff ended up being extras. I never ended up doing it, which is gutting to this day. I got to meet Colin Firth though!
No acting experience of any kind needed, but some of the agencies prefer a bit.
I avoid big 30+ crowd scenes (the larger the crowd, the worse it can be, I've been told).
It tends to be passer-by, shop customer, businessman.
I got the line because the main character asked a question and my character fitted the role. Most of the time a line is "Morning" or "over there", always welcome as more money!
Does that sound vague? It is, because most of the time, you aren't allowed to tell ANYONE, ANYTHING about the production. Not the name of the show, the actors, the plot, anything.
When you do actually get to meet / interact with main actors, they're generally pretty friendly, or a bit stand-offish (i.e. focussed on their character). Never met any horrible ones or seen bad behaviour.
Only seen really bad behaviour from one senior person, a director, (Never knew their name)who shouted at and argued with virtually everyone on set apart from the two main leads.
I only know the name of one director, because he is the only one who took the time to introduce himself to all the cast, crew, SAs, shook us all by the hand, then explained the plot and scenes for that day.
I have been;
passer-by, bar patron,shop customer, police (uniform and plain clothes detective), forensics, fireman, postman, airline passenger, restaurant diner, businessman, solicitor, prisoner, tomb raider (well, assistant labourer), government minister, book fan, mosque / church attendee, wedding guest, MP, doctor, nurse, patient, car salesman, nightclub dancer, seedy nightclub snogger, stuck in traffic jam, funeral attendee, soldier, restaurant manager, banker, shopkeeper, cyclist, jazz band member, waiter, prison guard.
stackmonkey said:
Does that sound vague? It is, because most of the time, you aren't allowed to tell ANYONE, ANYTHING about the production. Not the name of the show, the actors, the plot, anything.
Often the big films will have a working title instead of the release title, 'the Pilgrim' would be a good one to get on to, filming at the moment in the UKThank you so much for the really informative answers. I'm in Manchester and have a (hopefully) reliable vehicle. It's not going to be a major source of income, I'm already applying for roles and getting my CV out for other opportunities.
Is it paid via PAYE or will it be self employed and I'll need to sort out HMRC etc myelf?
SD.
Is it paid via PAYE or will it be self employed and I'll need to sort out HMRC etc myelf?
SD.
It's self employed.
Manchester is a good place for tv work. Lots of dramas and soaps filmed in and within reasonable travelling distance (Leeds and Liverpool).
It has a number of independent studios, too.
There's a number of decent SA agencies based in Manchester too, but for any given role, only apply through one agency.
2 points for guessing the show pictured
2 more for locating me...
Manchester is a good place for tv work. Lots of dramas and soaps filmed in and within reasonable travelling distance (Leeds and Liverpool).
It has a number of independent studios, too.
There's a number of decent SA agencies based in Manchester too, but for any given role, only apply through one agency.
2 points for guessing the show pictured
2 more for locating me...
stackmonkey said:
It's self employed.
Manchester is a good place for tv work. Lots of dramas and soaps filmed in and within reasonable travelling distance (Leeds and Liverpool).
It has a number of independent studios, too.
There's a number of decent SA agencies based in Manchester too, but for any given role, only apply through one agency.
2 points for guessing the show pictured
2 more for locating me...
Fay Ripley centre stage so is it cold feet?Manchester is a good place for tv work. Lots of dramas and soaps filmed in and within reasonable travelling distance (Leeds and Liverpool).
It has a number of independent studios, too.
There's a number of decent SA agencies based in Manchester too, but for any given role, only apply through one agency.
2 points for guessing the show pictured
2 more for locating me...
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