3. GET WORK BY FOLLOWING THESE TIPS

Nuts and bolts

If you are registered with a casting company, you will have a number to call when you want to work the next day. You call in and they'll tell you whether there's any work for you. It's very important to try to develop a good relationship with people at the casting company, as they can help you to get work by recommending you to casting directors. Sometimes they'll call you and ask if you're available to work, but it's better to take the initiative yourself. Be pleasant, but also let them know that you want the work.

Whether you're registered or not you can, as described above, just show up and look wistful near film sets. If you want to be more pro-active about it, you can check here and here; these sites have classified listings devoted to casting. Sometimes casting directors will advertise for extras independently, without going through a casting company. This, however, is rare, so you should still think about hooking up with a casting company.

The look

Since extras don't have lines, what is most important is how they look. This does not mean that you have to be gorgeous in order to be an extra; if the scene is in a skid row location, it would be an asset for you to look like a homeless person (note that we are not suggesting that you cultivate this sort of look). Gorgeous extras will get work in situations which require there to be a lot of beautiful people around, and it's never a bad thing to be attractive, particularly in Hollywood. However, casting directors could be looking for an older person, an ugly person, a midget, a goat-footed hell-spawned creature, or anyone with some sort of interesting look.

One thing which is always a great asset is the look of youth. It's a hassle to cast extras (or anyone) who is under 18, because then the kid's parents have to be on the set and they have to get release forms signed. However, many films and TV shows concern those precious little high schoolers, and they need to have people who look like they're teenagers. Therefore, if you're over 18 but you can look like you're not, you can get a lot of work. They have to have somebody around to offset all the 28 year old "teenagers" who are doing the acting.

It is also important for an extra to have an extensive wardrobe. You might receive a call which requires you to be able to dress up in seventies clothing, and if you don't have it then you won't work. You should try to have clothes from many different eras and to suit many different roles. Sometimes you'll need to wear a suit, at other times you'll need to wear a snowsuit, and at other times, a swimsuit. So don't throw away any clothes because they've gone out of style.

The attitude

Extras need to have a good attitude. If you cause anyone any problems, you won't be cut any slack and you might get a bad rep with the casting company if someone complains. You need to do what you're told, to stay out of the way, and to show up. Showing up is of most importance, because it reflects badly on the casting company if you're a no-show - they'll probably cancel your registration. If you accept work, you go, even if you get a sudden onset of the stomach flu and you have to spend most of the day running to the toilet. It's not fair, but you can get a black mark in the extra business pretty easily if someone has any reason to think you are unreliable. Be on time and don't leave until you have signed out.

Special skills

Another thing which can help you get work is if you have special skills. For example, shows like Baywatch and Pacific Blue often require large numbers of people to be randomly rollerblading around and smiling as if they enjoy it. Therefore, it's not a bad thing to be able to rollerblade. Other skills which could be useful include juggling, line dancing, tai chi, frisbee-throwing, and demolition expertise, or poodle tossing. Aw, you caught us: demolition expertise is rarely required.