5. DO YOUR JOB LIKE THIS

We thought we told you to shut up! This is very important. Whenever the sound equipment is running extras have to be quiet. This means no talking, no rustling around, no opening and closing of doors, and no breakdancing. When shooting is about to begin, there will be something to indicate it, such as a red light which flashes and/or someone in the crew yelling really loudly. Once that happens all the extras have to keep very quiet until it is clear that shooting has stopped. Sometimes the extras will have a waiting area which is far enough away from the shooting that whispered conversations will be tolerated, but don't allow your whispering to ease gradually into a normal speaking voice. And if you're told to keep quiet, then do so without question.

You must remember at all times that you are very low in the film set hierarchy and that you need to be polite and stay out of the way. Some assistant directors can easily develop a foul mood over the course of a day of shooting, and they might just be looking for an excuse to scream at or fire someone.

Bring something to read, a walkman, snacks and whatever else you need to keep yourself occupied and sane over the course of a long day of doing almost nothing and staying quiet. You will get bored of the rare glimpses you get of the actors as they scurry back and forth from their trailers. You will need something to do.