How to Become A TV Show Extra

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By Derek Rushlow
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Have you ever wanted to be in your favorite TV show?

Being a background extra is not only a lot of fun but also an interesting experience. Extras are people who appear in the background on TV shows and movies. Two doctors talking in a deserted hospital hallway, for example, would not be realistic because there would be doctors, nurses, patients, hospital visitors, etc. walking around constantly. With extras, the scene looks more realistic.

The first time I was an extra was on the TV show "One Tree Hill" where I was cast as a hospital visitor. All I had to do was sit in a chair and pretend to read a magazine while they wheeled a gurney by me.

It's quite the experience, and gratifying too because you're contributing to a show a lot of people enjoy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is look in a phone book, or surf the Internet for casting offices in your area.
Step 2

When you find a casting office, simply call them up and ask them how you can sign up to be an extra. Many offices have different policies, so it overall depends on how you sign up to be an extra. The casting office I signed up at to be an extra on "One Tree Hill" had me fill out a card, enclose a picture of myself, and return it to them.
Step 3

Wait. Calls for people to be extras is rather sporadic. It simply depends on how many extras they'll need for the day. They may need 3 extras one day, 30 the next day, and 300 the following day. It also depends on whether or not any TV shows (or even movies, for that matter) are filming in your area.

Tips & Warnings

Be patient. Very important, since you're not the only one who signed up at a casting office to be an extra.
When you are an extra, then don't think you'll be able to meet the cast members. You have to keep in mind that you're there to do a job, the same as the cast members. I've been an extra on "One Tree Hill" twice now and haven't met a single member of the cast.
Listen! While you're working as an extra, listen to the production staff. A second assistant director usually directs the extras. Listen to him/her carefully, even if he/she tells you to simply walk down the hallway. I've come to realize that being a good listener is really important in working as an extra.
When searching for casting offices, check out the business to make sure it's legit. Log on the Better Business Bureau's website, or contact your local attorney's general office. If the business doesn't look right, it probably isn't.