Things You'll Need:
- A cell phone
- A array of different clothes
- A car
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Step 1
A lot of people do not realize how easy it is for anyone to get work as an extra on Hollywood movies and TV. A typical non union extra makes in the neighborhood of $60 for 8 hours of work, and with overtime (practically everyday on set goes into overtime) you can sometimes make upwards of a hundred dollars in a single day. After 8 hours you progressively move into time and a half, then double time and ultimately Golden Time (where for every extra hour you work you get the full 8 hour pay rate.)While it rarely happens, I have spoken to people who have made the equivilent of a weeks pay from one long day on set.
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Step 2
To get started you need to contact an extra casting agency. Central Casting is the most well known and reliable. You simply head over there pay them a small fee, they photograph you and put you on file. Then they give you a daily hotline number that you call in and see what is needed for the following day. It may be people who look like Bikers for CSI or clean cut doctor types for HOUSE. You decide what best suits you, you call them and submit yourself and they decide if you would be right for the part. All you have to do is show up on set the next day and provide (in most cases your own wardrobe.) Then about a week later you will receive payment for your work by check through the mail. It really is easy.
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Step 3
Another option is a calling service. These services actually book you for extra work for a small cut of your check and simply call you and tell you where you need to be the next day. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it to many to not have to hustle to get work everyday, plus once you are in good with a calling service, they may be more inclined to help you get your SAG vouchers and help you get into SAG and be eligible for more money.
The general SAG member makes more than double what a non union extra makes for a day of work. This can be a double edged sword though. While each production is required to hire a certain number of SAG extras, it is a very small number, thus much more competitive. You may make more money, but you may only be working 1 to 2 days a week instead of 5. Non-union workers, since they are so cheap are generally able to work non-stop and keep a continuos flow of money coming in.
Finally, once you are on set, please remember that this is a job and should be treated as such. If you see a celebrity do not hound him or ask for autographs, just do as told and try to do a good job and hopefully someone will recognize your talent. Good luck
