Good News & Bad News for Background Actors

By Webmaster

  • Good News & Bad News for Background Actors 

    There are lucrative opportunities for those fortunate enough to find them 

    (arranged by Carmichael Phillips) 


    (Photo: Sigmund/Unsplash)

    There has been lots of bad news for actors across the board since the pandemic began. That’s especially true for background actors.

  • Productions have shut down and filming is nowhere near its previous pace. Filming is down more than 50%, according to some estimates, which means significantly less background work. The need for social distancing means that large scenes with scores of background actors is almost out of the question.

    But according to a recent report by the Los Angeles Times, there is some good news for background actors, sprinkled in with the bad. Actors are being paid for COVID-19 testing, for instance. And some are finding steady work assignments as productions seek to limit the number of new people who work on a set.


    The pandemic has dealt a devastating blow to many performers who’ve lost jobs due to production shutdowns. But it has provided an unexpected boost to some background actors, who are benefiting from new union requirements for producers to pay extras for any time spent to get a test or lost because of a COVID-19-related event like an outbreak on set. 

    Moreover, productions are favoring a select group of background or stand-in artists whom they can trust and reuse. That is helping some extras counter the overall fall-off in work as Hollywood production remains limited by the health crisis. 

    After months of negotiations, unions and an alliance of major producers in September reached an agreement on COVID-19 safety protocols and compensation for actors’ time spent being tested, in quarantine or recovering from illness. Under the new rules, background actors can earn money even before they arrive on set, with some shows asking cast members to test up to three times before shooting begins. 

    Read more here


    The LA Times piece does not suggest that life has been better for background actors since the pandemic hit. But what it does suggest is that there are lucrative opportunities out there for those fortunate enough to find them.


  • You Might Also Like:
    5 Benefits of Being a Background Actor


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • 20 Good Acting Tips

    20 Good Acting Tips Important advice and tips every actor should know (By AM Staff) (Photo: Emre | Pexels) 1. You don’t have to make your acting performance “bigger” to make it memorable….

    What is a Commercial Headshot?

    What is a Commercial Headshot? The importance of a commercial headshot (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Marcelo Chagas | Pexels) A commercial headshot is an 8×10 photo that is designed to help an actor…

    14 Inspirational Quotes by Stella Alder

    14 Inspirational Quotes by Stella Alder Her powerful advice to actors… (Arranged by Carmichael Phillips) (Stella Adler) “No actor is a success unless he feels inside himself, as long as he lives, that…

    10 Tips for Making Bold Choices in Acting

    10 Tips for Making Bold Choices in Acting What it means to make acting choices (By AM Staff) (Photo: Klaus Nielsen | Pexels) Your character is screaming at her father who abandoned her…

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting?

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels) QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? ANSWER: It’s never too late to start acting. There…

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots?

    QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Min An | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots? ANSWER: No! Do not shoot your own headshots. Leave the photography…

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting What’s the main difference? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Erik Mclean/ Unsplash) The same habits you picked up as a theatre actor may cause you a lot of pain,…

    The First Rule for Acting

    The First Rule for Acting What is the most important thing in acting? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Pexels) What’s the first rule for acting? Don’t think about it. Just answer!…

  • Ad

  • 13 Words of Encouragement After a Bad Audition

    13 Words of Encouragement After a Bad Audition How to bounce back after a bad audition (By AM Staff) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) So, you had a bad audition? So, what!?!? You…

    How Do You Use Lighting for an Audition Self-Tape?

    How Do You Use Lighting for an Audition Self-Tape? Which kind of lighting is best for self-tapes (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ivan Samkov | Pexels) No matter how good your performance is, if…

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally?

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally? (By AM Staff) (Photo: George Milton | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I film my self-tape vertically or horizontally? ANSWER: Always shoot your self-tape horizontally. Always,…

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022 (By AM Staff) The year 2022 flew by so fast! We hardly had a chance to enjoy it. We also hardly had time to celebrate the…

    Save $500 in 30 days!

    Save $500 in 30 days! Use this money challenge to save more money fast (By Jessica Baker) (Photo: Maitree Rimthong | Pexels) How much money is in your bank account right now? $400?…

  • Ad

  • What Questions Should You Ask an Agent?

    What Questions Should You Ask an Agent? 10 questions to prepare before an agent meeting (By AM Staff) (Photo: Shvets Production | Pexels) QUESTION: I am going to an agent meeting. They are…

    What is Improv?

    What is Improv? Is improv good for acting? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Improv is short for improvisation or improvisational theatre. It is a type of theatrical performance that is unscripted….

    Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference?

    QUESTION: Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Bruno Massao | Pexels) QUESTION: What is the difference between a demo reel and a showreel? ANSWER: A demo reel…

  • Ad

  • How Do You Network for Your Acting Career?

    How Do You Network for Your Acting Career? 5 tips for networking in the film industry (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Jopwell | Pexels) The best acting jobs don’t always go to the best…

    11 Inspirational Quotes by Meryl Streep

    11 Inspirational Quotes by Meryl Streep “Keep going. Start by starting.” ~ Meryl Streep (Arranged by Carmichael Phillips) “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy. Empathy…

    What Should You NOT Do in a Demo Reel?

    What Should You NOT Do in a Demo Reel? 10 things to avoid when putting together your show reel (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ali Pazani | Pexels) Don’t do these 10 things when…

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition What makes an audition successful? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Teja J | Pexels) 1. First, be happy that you got the audition. Whether you land the…

    10 Tips for Submitting Your Self-Tape Audition

    10 Tips for Submitting Your Self-Tape Audition What is a self-tape submission and how do I do it? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Beci Harmony | Unsplash) What should you do when you’re finally…

  • Ad