How to Survive Working as an Extra

Background work will always be on of the necessary evils of being an actor. Whether you need the money, want to learn about how the set works, or are hoping to use it to get your SAG card, being an extra is often exhausting, irritating, or just plain boring. Here are some tips for making the experience more tolerable:

2. Always dress in layers. Even if you can’t wear those layers in the shot, you’ll be be glad to have them if it’s too hot or too cold in holding. And if you’re doing an exterior shot that accomodates layers, you’ll be grateful. Being outside for hours often means that an acceptable temperature for a short walk is just plain cold.
4. Bring a book. Movies are hurry up and wait, which means you’ll want something to read while sitting in holding.
6. Bring a walkman or Ipod. Don’t turn the sound up too loud so you can hear announcements from the P.A., but you’ll be glad of the distraction and the ability to block out conversations that you don’t want to be a part of (there’s always at least one).
8. Have snacks on hand. As much as you will usually be well-fed on set, sometimes things don’t go smoothly, or the food available doesn’t match your tastes, dietary restrictions or nutritional needs. Having snacks on hand can make it much more pleasant.
10. Even if you’re not wearing comfortable shoes for the shot, make sure you have comfortable shoes (or slippers) with you for holding. Ladies in heels this means you.
12. Make sure you have pen and paper with you – whether that’s to get contact info of someone you wind up working with or to distract yourself while waiting with writing.
14. Have your cellphone charger with you. As long as you keep your phone’s sound off and don’t bring it to set, it’s a good way to kill time in holding, especially if it has video games or text messaging (both of which are less distracting to those around you).
16. Catch up on your headshot submissions. Time in holding is great for addressing envelopes, stapling headshots and resumes and all that other administrative work that we have to do as actors, but don’t necessarily enjoy.
18. Learn your lines. Holding is a great place for actors to work on lines for a play they’re in, or for learning a new monologue. It’s like study hall for actors.

Hopefully these suggestions will stave off the boredom and help you make efficient use of your time while working as an extra. The most important thing to remember is to always be ready to work. As much as there are often hours of downtime on any set, sometimes you’ll be on your feet and in a scene for every moment they have you, and isn’t that, afterall, why you’re doing it?