3 Reasons an Experienced Actor Should Consider Doing Extra Work

By Webmaster

  • 3 Reasons an Experienced Actor Should Consider Doing Extra Work 

    There are rare occasions where working as an extra might make dollars…and sense

    (by Jim Webb) 

    (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)

    If you are a seasoned actor, you should never work as a background actor. Never! Never! Never! Never!

    That’s the rule, right? According to the experts, working as an extra is what actors do when they are just starting out in the business. It helps them learn how to be on set, see how the crew operates, blah, blah, blah.

  • Experienced actors should never work background, say the experts. The idea is that if you work as an extra, you will come to be viewed as an extra, thus diminishing your star power and making you less “castable” for larger roles.

    But is this rule universal and absolute? Does it apply to all actors in all situations?

    Perhaps not! First, no rule is absolute. Secondly, there are rare occasions when working temporarily as a background actor makes sense.

    Let me offer a few debatable scenarios:

  • Scenario #1: 

    You need to make your insurance 


    (Photo: Jeshoots.com | Unsplash)

    You’re a member of an actor union, and have been for quite a while. You get your insurance from the union and your family depends on it.

    For whatever reason, work has been slow. As a result, you were unable to earn enough income to meet the threshold for coverage.

    Would it make sense, in this scenario, to do some background work until you’ve secured your insurance?

  • Scenario #2: 

    You’re hoping for an upgrade 

    (Photo: Pixabay | Pexels)

    There’s a breakdown for a “featured extra” role that was just released on a casting site. It’s for a film that has great potential for success. You also happen to know that a famous actor will be the lead.

    Taking the “featured extra” role might give you a chance to get on set and (possibly) get upgraded to a speaking role, alongside this famous actor.

    Would it make sense, in this scenario, to become a background actor for this film, and only for this film, for the slim chance that you might be upgraded to a larger role, a role that could catapult your career?

  • Scenario #3: 

    You’re desperate for money 


    You’re an experienced, working actor who hasn’t worked in many months. Bills are coming due, seemingly by the hour. Debt collectors are harassing you non-stop.

    You haven’t done background work since the early days of your acting career. Getting back into it would be a humbling experience, to say the least.

    But you need money! You need a paycheck. And working a few weeks as a background actor can alleviate a lot of financial pressure.

    Would it make sense, in this scenario, to pick up a few background jobs to put food on the table?

    For seasoned actors, background work is the last thing you want to do. It represents a step back from all the work you’ve done to be looked at as a serious, professional actor.

    But, again, no rule is absolute. Think outside the box for just a moment. There may be some rare occasions where working as an extra might actually make dollars…and sense.


  • You Might Also Like:
    Bill Duke: “Don’t wait for Hollywood to discover you. Discover yourself!”


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • How Mark Hamill Got Into Acting

    How Mark Hamill Got Into Acting The journey of a small-town actor who became a pop culture icon. (By Carmichael Phillip) (Mark Hamill in Star Wars) Early Life and the Spark of Acting…

    What is the Senior Age for Cinema?

    What is the Senior Age for Cinema? Exploring the opportunities and challenges for older actors in the world of cinema. (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) The Evolving Landscape of Cinema…

    What is the Highest Position in Filmmaking?

    What is the Highest Position in Filmmaking? An exploration of the top roles in the filmmaking industry and the responsibilities that come with them. (By Carmichael Phillip) Understanding the Filmmaking Hierarchy Filmmaking is…

    How Long Do Actors Get Royalties?

    How Long Do Actors Get Royalties? Exploring the timelines and conditions behind royalty payments for actors in the entertainment industry. (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Monstera | Pexels) Understanding Royalties in the Entertainment Industry…

    Why Doesn’t Netflix Pay Residuals?

    Why Doesn’t Netflix Pay Residuals? Exploring the controversy behind Netflix’s approach to compensation and residuals for creators. (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) The Rise of Streaming Services and the Shift…

  • Ad

  • Actor Profile: Mark Hamill

    Actor Profile: Mark Hamill Exploring the Life and Legacy of the Legendary Luke Skywalker (By Carmichael Phillip) (Mark Hamill in Star Wars) Mark Hamill is an actor who became a household name due…

    How Long Do Previews Last Before a Movie?

    How Long Do Previews Last Before a Movie? An Exploration of Pre-Movie Previews and Their Impact on the Theater Experience (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Tima Miroshnickenko | Pexels) Previews, or trailers, have become…

    How Much Does Netflix Pay for Each Show?

    How Much Does Netflix Pay for Each Show? An Inside Look at the Financials Behind Netflix’s Original Programming (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Freestocks/Unsplash) Netflix is renowned for its vast library of original content,…

  • Ad

  • Who is the Highest Paid Actor on Netflix?

    Who is the Highest Paid Actor on Netflix? Exploring the Top Earning Stars and Their Netflix Deals (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) Netflix has transformed the entertainment landscape, providing actors…

    Do Suits Actors Get Royalties on Netflix?

    Do Suits Actors Get Royalties on Netflix? Exploring the Financial Structure of Streaming Rights and Actor Royalties (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Freestocks/Unsplash) Streaming platforms like Netflix have revolutionized how we consume television shows….

    What is a Typical Day for a Broadway Actor?

    What is a Typical Day for a Broadway Actor? An inside look into the demanding schedule and vibrant life on Broadway (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Morning Preparations: Early Wake-Up and…

    How do Broadway actors do 8 shows a week?

    How do Broadway actors do 8 shows a week? The physical and mental endurance behind the curtain (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Pitt Rom | Pexels) A Demanding Schedule Like No Other Broadway actors…

    How Macaulay Culkin Got Into Acting

    How Macaulay Culkin Got Into Acting From church plays to global stardom: The unexpected rise of Hollywood’s most iconic child actor (By Carmichael Phillip)   A Child of the Stage and City Long…

  • Ad

  • How much does Macaulay Culkin make from Home Alone royalties?

    How much does Macaulay Culkin make from Home Alone royalties? A closer look at residual income, Christmas traditions, and one actor’s holiday legacy (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash) The Holiday Classic That…

    What is a green room?

    What is a green room? The backstage haven that performers, politicians, and guests all rely on (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Kampus Production | Pexels) The Origins of the Green Room The term “green…

    Do Broadway actors work 7 days a week?

    Do Broadway actors work 7 days a week? A deep dive into the demanding, exhilarating, and grueling schedule of life on the Broadway stage (By Carmichael Phillip) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Broadway’s Demanding…

  • Ad

  • Do actors smell on set?

    Do actors smell on set? Behind the scenes, do stars always smell like roses—or is the truth a little funkier? (By Carmichael Phillip) The Unspoken Question: Do Celebrities Smell Bad on Set? It’s…

    Actor Profile: Macaulay Culkin

    Actor Profile: Macaulay Culkin From Child Star to Cult Icon: The Life and Legacy of Macaulay Culkin (By Carmichael Phillip) Early Life and Rise to Stardom Macaulay Carson Culkin was born on August…

    Do actors need to be able to sing?

    Do actors need to be able to sing? Exploring the importance of vocal talent in modern acting careers (By Ray Reese) (Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko | Pexels) The Evolution of the Actor’s Skill Set…

    Do Actors’ Trailers Have Showers?

    Do Actors’ Trailers Have Showers?Exploring the luxury and practicality of actor trailers on set (By Ray Reese) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) When you think of an actor’s trailer, you might imagine a…

    Do Actors Collect Royalties?

    Do Actors Collect Royalties?Exploring how actors earn beyond their initial paycheck(By Ray Reese) (Photo: Maitree Rimthong | Pexels) Introduction to Royalties and Actors Royalties are a form of ongoing payment made to individuals…

  • Ad