How to Get Background Acting Work in Los Angeles

In Hollywood, most actors start off as background actors, often called "extras." There's no one way to guarantee success in this business, but background acting is a good way to start.Anyone can be a background actor. It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, fat or thin, black or white, male or female, beautiful or ugly. This job truly takes all types. In many cases, the more interesting or odd you look the more you'll be hired and the greater chance of getting a higher paying role or lines in a film or show.Although background acting doesn't pay well, you'll be on set meeting people, seeing how things are done and learning the ropes while getting paid. You're also fed and able to network while on the job.If you want regular work as a background actor, you must work with the major background casting agency, Central Casting. Founded in 1925 Central Casting is by far the oldest and largest agency for hiring background actors.This article will detail how to get registered with Central Casting and crucial guidelines to follow to succeed while background acting in Los Angeles.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nice Outfit
• Central Casting registration form
• I-9
• W-4
• reliable transportation
• telephone

Registering With Central Casting

1. Print and fill out a Central Casting registration form, an IRS W-4 and a Department of Homeland Security I-9. These are all available on at www.centralcasting.org. Bring these with you to registration.There is also a one-time fee (currently $25.00) that must be paid in cash. Call them at [phone] to make sure nothing has changed before going to register.

2. As a non-union actor, you can only go to register on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30am to 11:30am. Parking is NOT fun at all, so be sure to allow yourself ample time to find parking, walk a block or two, and still be there at 10:30 sharp. Tardiness is not tolerated at all in this industry, so always plan to be a bit early to everything, including this registration day.

3. Wear something nice, but not showy or opulent. Keep jewelry and makeup to a minimum. They want to see what you really look like. Come with your natural, normal look, not as a character.

Getting the Job

4. Once you're registered with Central Casting, you'll need to call in on the availability line throughout the day. There is a phone number which you'll be given that lists all available work for the day. Call the number at least three times a day until you're booked for a job.

5. Once you have a list of jobs written down and their corresponding phone numbers, start calling immediately. There will be a busy signal 99% of the time. Don't give up. Keep calling until you get through. Redial comes in very handy at this point. You may sometimes have to try for a half hour before getting through to someone.If you don't meet the description given EXACTLY don't call! This is very important. If they ask for males 5'9" to 6'2" and you're 5'8", don't try to get the job.Be sure not to book a job unless you're 100% available on the day of the shoot. I once had a job that was supposed to be a morning shoot and ended up being an all-nighter, so I had to cancel for another shoot that began before dawn the next day.

6. Once you get through and you're booked for a job, write down all wardrobe requirements, location and time of the shoot. Call the changes hotline for that shoot the night before and that day before leaving for the set.

On the Job.

7. Be absolutely sure to be early to the job. Don't worry, you won't have to start actually working until it's time to, but you need to be there ahead of time. In L.A. traffic and parking are always unpredictable so plan for this and leave yourself time.Being late to a set is very, very bad. Delays on a shoot can literally cost tens of thousands of dollars every minute. You don't want to be the one causing them. Central Casting will hear about it and your likelyhood of getting work will drop dramatically

8. On the set, check in and follow the PA's (Production Assistant) or AD's (Assistant Director) instructions carefully. Stay in the areas you're supposed to be in and do what you're told to do.

9. If you're anywhere near the set at all, stay quiet! The microphones used on sets are super-sensitive and everything can be heard. Keep conversations at a minimum and if you can hear the AD yelling for quiet or asking to roll camera, then they can also hear you. If this is the case, don't even whisper during filming.

10. Always be available and waiting to go on set. The AD's will notice excellent behavior and they'll notice bad behavior. They will also remember you. Respect is earned on movie sets, not given, so always be on your best behavior. You're part of a team and they like team players.

11. Many actors use background acting as a way to get into the Screen Actor's Guild. It takes working three union jobs (for which you'll receive SAG vouchers) to qualify to join SAG. Do NOT beg for the vouchers or push the AD's too much about it. They hear it all the time and they don't like it. Most of the time a SAG voucher is not available, and there's nothing anyone on the film crew can do to change that.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be polite and professional.
• Always be on time.
• Always bring appropriate wardrobe.
• Keep a cell phone with you and emergency phone numbers in case you'll be late to a shoot.

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[yoyoho]

on 8/4/2008 You had described Central Casting's operations very well, Dave Andrews. I'm one of Central Casting's background actors who had experienced both the fun and the discipline of background acting.