HOW TO MAKE IT BIG IN THE BACKGROUND OF ATLANTA’S HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS!
When you think of Atlanta’s film industry, the first thing that might pop to mind is the A-listers it brings to the area. You may also think of the trade industry members who are the backbone of “Hollywood of the South” and without whom there would be no productions at all. But there’s another integral part of that backbone that not everyone remembers: extras. How believable is a scene on the football field of Chad Powers without a stadium full of fans? And without a sea of “Walkers,” the storyline of The Walking Dead wouldn’t even exist.
Extras, also called background actors, are the people in a production who appear in the background of scenes to enhance the realism around the primary players. Many people don’t even notice them when watching a show or film, but their absence would make a scene fall flat and feel fake. Although these roles are almost always non-speaking, they typically include wardrobe, hair, makeup and a casting process.
Pay rates for extras vary, but adults can expect between $12 to $15 an hour, while kids typically get paid in the $9 to $10 an hour range. Most filming days are either eight or 10 hours, and extras are paid overtime if the day is extended. It is also normal to receive a “gas bump” if filming is far outside Atlanta proper. Extras also get a stipend for the time spent at costume fittings. These appointments typically occur the week before filming, and entail trying on costume options the costume department has pulled.
So how do you get cast as an extra? Facebook is your best friend. Join the following groups and start looking for gigs you fit. Listings share exactly what the casting company needs as far as age and physical appearance, and they typically list the date, city or area where filming will take place, along with the pay rate and expected length of the day.
CL Casting
facebook.com/CatrettLockeCasting
Extras Casting Atlanta
facebook.com/ExtrasCastingAtlanta
Tammy Smith Casting Atlanta
facebook.com/tammysmithcasting
Set Life Casting Atlanta
facebook.com/SetLifeCastingATL
CAB Castings
facebook.com/cabcastings
Here are some tips to make sure you have the best possible experience on set as an extra and, hopefully, help you get cast again.
Be Prepared to Wait
Filming always has a lot of down time. No matter what the call sheet says or how concrete the schedule sounds, expect delays, changes and waiting. That said, it’s imperative to bring device chargers, a bottle of water and snacks. Catering feeds everyone well on set, but for in-between meals, you may not be near a craft services table—that well-stocked snack area that is an integral part of any set—so having your own snacks and water is the safest bet for staying comfortable during all eventualities.
Don’t Be a Fan
Extras often end up working near or having lunch in the same room as the stars, but it’s important to remember these people are working, and approaching them can be annoying or even disrupt their creative process.
Have a Good Attitude
It may seem like one background actor doesn’t matter, especially in a scene with lots of other people, but good extras make an incredible difference, and your attitude doesn’t go unnoticed. The film industry is widely connected, so having a bad attitude, complaining and asking for special treatment can get you blacklisted from working on future productions.
