Movie being filmed in my town – how do I become an extra and what exactly is an extra?
Movie being filmed in my town – How can I be an extra and exactly what is an extra?
I’m not exactly sure if an extra is just extra people that are already involved with the film or not, but at one of the buildings in my town they put up a big sign with EXTRAS > > > > and a big arrow pointing into the doorway. Does this apply to anyone who wants to be in the film who isn’t an actor, like local people from the town?
If it is, what sort of roles do they look for? The movie is based on a presidential speech in a small town in Texas. I live in a Canadian town and they’ve decorated the town center park with big statues and huge American flags and red white & blue flag "fans"/banners and the Texas state flag. Our town looks like a Classic American town with Americana Victorian homes so I guess that’s why they are filming here. Plus were only 1 hour from the NY state border.
So anyways, I’m only 16. Am I too young? And does extras mean anyone can go sign up to be an extra?!?!?
10 Responses
Nyesha H
21 Apr 2010
youthfulfirecrac
21 Apr 2010
Go through that door and ask if there is an age limit. Most EXTRAS are not speaking parts. But if you want to be famous, and the camera gets aimed at you, ham it up, but not so much that they would take the camera off of you. Smile big, show your best qualities.
Extras mean, back ground, people in a crowd, people that have been extras have gone on to become famous.
Clancy the Wonde
21 Apr 2010
> How can I be an extra and exactly what is an extra?
a) look for announcements of casting calls in the local paper, tv, neighborhood paper, etc. If you’re close to the set, just show up and say "Hi! Who do I talk to about being an extra?
> I’m not exactly sure if an extra is just extra people that are already involved with the film or not
Nope. Extras are "bodies" hired by the production to fill in the picture behind the primary actors and make the scene look more populated and real.
> Does this apply to anyone who wants to be in the film
If you fit the needs of the scene, yes. A high school scene wouldn’t look natural if all the extras were 60 years old, right? If you fit what they need, you’re in.
> what sort of roles do they look for?
Depends on the movie.
> I’m only 16. Am I too young?
Not at all. If you fit their needs, they’ll hire you.
> And does extras mean anyone can go sign up to be an extra?
Again, if you look like what they need then you’ll be fine. Go find the extras casting director and see what they’re looking for.
Doug W
21 Apr 2010
You have to wait for a casting call. They usually announce it in the Paper.
Hoops Girl
21 Apr 2010
An extra is a person that is used as background for a scene. It all depends on the scene as to what types of people they need as extras. Anyone can be an extra…any age…it just depends on what the director wants. If it is an open casting call, go for it. They will usually ask for you to bring a picture of yourself so they can keep it on file and call you if they need you. If it is a SAG film, extras are usually paid, too. Go for it and good luck!
Dr. Gonzo
21 Apr 2010
The town I use to live in always had adds in for extras in the newspaper. You can just go to the place where they are shooting the thing and see if you can get in during crowd scenes. Its the easiest. Dress for the part, if the thing is set in the 70s, where cloths that match…do things like that, most of the time there will be a place to sign up and other times they pick people out of the crowd as back ground people. I have a friend that went to Notre Dame stadium and got picked for a 15 sec part in the movie Rudy. He was in high school at the time but played a college student. Watch the papers too…if they need poeple production people put up ads
Vixxie
21 Apr 2010
Xtras are just people in the background…no you won’t have to audition or say anything because in order to speak in a movie you would have to belong to the actor’s guild…all they will do is look at you to make sure you are the *type* they want walking around or sitting in the background of a scene…get going!
WitchTwo
21 Apr 2010
When they did it here you just had to show up…..I went and saw some of the filming of Numbers……..that was cool, we took the kids. We weren’t there as an extra but my sister has done it and it just means you work free and hang out a lot!
Go for it, it should be a fun experience……actually, my ex did it too, so did another teacher at his school.
Jamaison D
21 Apr 2010
Yes, anyone can be an extra, (although with your age, you might need an adult signer) but that is doubtful. in your movie, in the park, with the main character giving a speech, they need a fairly large audience(extras) Once you fill out the application, including what you are good at sports, tree-climbing, (to get on top of a statue) or to climb a tree for a better look at what is going on. Your size might matter in what role they put you in, and alot of people go to these EXTRAs so if they pick you, they will measure you for your costume, usually extras do not talk they are just where the company needs extra people. I would go for it, it is a great experience, also bring something to read!!! GOOD LUCK:)
SOOTY CAT
21 Apr 2010
They usually interview for extras to sit in cafe’s, walk the streets, locals coming and going…whatever. No you are not too young, they want all types that would fit in with the era of the film. Sign up! Have a good time.
An extra is just basically someone you’ll see in the background of the movie.Most don’t get roles at all there just there to well..be extras.Just show up.I’m not sure if they’ll make you audition but more then likely they won’t.Just show up and say your here to be an extra