Working as an film extra.

[anonymous-user]

Anyone done it? I've got a couple of months on my hands, and the extra cash wouldn't go amiss, so wondered if anyone here has tried it? Worth doing, even if just for the experience? Or is it just where struggling actors try to get found and would-be luvvies bh endlessly about one another?
A few years back part of a Bond movie was filmed at work, and a few folk got picked up for background parts, and then picked up a not insignificant three figure sum for basically just standing there for a couple of hours.

(Please try to post any Ricky Gervais and/or "I've come to fix the washing machine" jokes towards the end...ta)

ETA: Where's the "edit title" thingy when you need it?

[Zad]

No, but it is something I have looked at. I'm the sort of person who doesn't mind hanging around for hours and likes seeing the "mechanics" of how things are put together. The phrase to look for is "Supporting Artist" or SA. Rates are standardised:

http://thecastingnetwork.co.uk/rates.asp

Don't expect to get rich

[IndyAndy777]

Zad said:

No, but it is something I have looked at. I'm the sort of person who doesn't mind hanging around for hours and likes seeing the "mechanics" of how things are put together. The phrase to look for is "Supporting Artist" or SA. Rates are standardised:

http://thecastingnetwork.co.uk/rates.asp

Don't expect to get rich

That might be good for a bit of part time beer money.

[chili1]

Not done it myself, but a couple of colleagues do appear as extras on a regular basis.

The bloke (who is a proper luvvy) has appeared in Doctor Who and Torchwood as various characters, including a soldier, a lab worker and also doubled for the Doctor when he "morphed" into the new doctor.

The woman has appeared in various episodes of casualty as a nurse and also as a patient.

Pay isn't brilliant. I think its the case that you're either into that type of thing or you're not.

[chili1]

Not done it myself, but a couple of colleagues do appear as extras on a regular basis.

The bloke (who is a proper luvvy) has appeared in Doctor Who and Torchwood as various characters, including a soldier, a lab worker and also doubled for the Doctor when he "morphed" into the new doctor.

The woman has appeared in various episodes of casualty as a nurse and also as a patient.

Pay isn't brilliant. I think its the case that you're either into that type of thing or you're not.

[louiebaby]

I had dinner last night with a friend who works for an oil company on a month-on month-off basis, and he mentioned he should do a bit of work as an extra, more for fun than the money.

We'd had a couple of glasses of wine, so set him a challenge for 2012:

---

Over the year, you must amass 12 points working as an extra, in a role where we can actually identify you on the TV. Points are awarded as thus:

1 point for an appearance in a TV programme, (audience members/news crowd scenes etc don't count.)
2 points for an appearance in a period TV programme, like a period drama.
3 points for an appearance in a proper Movie.

1 bonus point for a speaking role.

---

We need ideas for a prize if he completes it, I suggested buying him a DVD of each of the programmes / movies he is seen in.

[williamp]

My sister does this. She is in the last harry potter film- right at the end, behind the main charachters. And in an advert on TV. And in another film standing next to Anthony Hopkins

She enjoys it, but the pay is as bad as you've heard

[anonymous-user]

Yep, knew the pay isn't much compared to other lines of work, but as suggested it's as much for the fun of it as for the dosh.
Thanks for the tips thus far.

[Daniel1]

wouldnt it be really boring? I know a chap who works as part of the camera crew and they just stand around most of the day bored half to death.