Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Being An Extra to Start out

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Expert: - 1/28/2009


Question
Hi, i am a 19 year old from Georgia, I want to have a career in acting in film. I was just wondering, What are some websites I can use to find if a project is needing extras for a show, or film? I am only 19, and I want to graduate and work in a studio before I do any "big" acting. I don't know which sites I can trust or not, and I don't want to be scammed into anything. Please help me out. I look on Craigslist every once in a while, and in my local paper, but nothing seems to come up. I would like a reliable resource to find some information on being an extra in a movie, or show. thanks!

Answer
Jenna,

Thanks for writing. Since you're in Georgia, try contacting the Georgia Film Commission and ask them for a list of companies who handle "Extras Casting" in the state of Georgia. Then, contact these companies/individuals and ask them to explain their procedures for registering with them for extras work.

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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