Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Non-Speaking Acting Roles

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Expert: - 2/13/2008


Question
Hello:

I'm curious to know how difficult it is to be an 'extra', I believe that is the correct name, in a television or motion picture?
For example if someone wanted a non-speaking role, are these difficult to find, and does the person need to belong to an actor's union or actor's guild?
And lastly, is there any compensation for these roles?

I thank you for your reply and answers!

Answer
Kenneth,

Thanks for writing. Here are the answers to your questions:

1) It's not difficult to be hired as an extra. You simply need to register with an extras casting company, such as Central Casting in Burbank, CA.

2) It is difficult to be cast in a speaking role. In most instances, you DO need to be a member of the Screen Actor's Guild, the union that represents actors, if you want to be hire in a speaking role.

3) All actors are compensated for their work regardless of whether they are extras or actors with speaking roles.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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