Want to become a background actor?
When I graduated college, I had no idea what I was going to do next. I dreamed of becoming an attorney and working in a big law firm. So I decided I was going to become an attorney. However, the LSAT, the law school entrance exam, was several months away and I was unemployed. I’ve been searching for a job for several months and received nothing more than a few pyramid schemes and interview in sketchy office spaces.
Honestly, I was desperate.
Being raised on TV shows and feature films – and in an area where everyone dreamed of becoming an actor, model or filmmaker – it never occurred to me what that person in the background of my favorite feature films were actually doing.
Then I worked as a background extra on a popular TV show in Atlanta, Georgia.
At the time, Georgia recently enacted film tax credits, which allowed for producers to receive money for filming in the Peach state. Consequently, there were several feature films and TV shows filming in Atlanta. They paid minimum wage but, it was the only job I could find after being unemployed for several months.
The hiring process was pretty easy.
There was an online questionnaire that had basic questions like what are your measurements, what’s your height, how much do you weigh, and send us a photo. It was the easiest job application I filled in months.
A few weeks passed by and then all of a sudden I received a phone call.
“Can you work this Tuesday? We need someone like you for a cafeteria scene.” I quickly replied “Yes” and spent the rest of the day trying on clothes for my big debut.
My time on set I met a lot of people including dozens of aspiring actors, filmmakers, and “professional background extras” – men and women have been working on TV shows and movies for years.
I came into the process with no clue as to what expect. I was anxious. I recall being so nervous I couldn’t eat the free breakfast or the free catered lunched.
But then it was my time to go on set. My hands were dripping with sweat, I could barely catch my breath and then all of a sudden I hear someone call out. “Hey! Your perfect. I want you to audition today for a speaking role in next week’s episode.”
My jaw dropped. Was I discovered? Am I going to be hanging out on Will Smith’s yacht this summer? Do I need to hire a publicist? Is Kim Kardashian going to follow me on Twitter?
I cleared my throat, wiped my sweaty hands on my t-shirt, stepped up to the casting director and said “Yes. I can do it.” And then everyone stopped, turned around and laughed. Apparently, the casting director was talking to the actor behind me.
I stood there shocked, embarrassed and confused. Is this how people become famous? I would stand back and watch as the young woman behind me walk toward the casting director and receive a script for next week’s episode. While, it was pretty embarrassing, I suddenly felt sick; I caught the “acting bug”.
I worked the rest of the day doing “crosses” – walking from one side of the room to the next and learning about the best productions to work on in Atlanta, Georgia. In a few days, I was a regular background extra on several TV shows and movies.
I quickly learned the routine.
Show up early. Do not talk to the cast and crew, unless they speak to you. And stay away from that background extra that talks to himself.
After a year of work, I took the LSAT and considered becoming an attorney. However, I was never able to let go of the acting bug. I later quit law school and decided to join the film industry. A decision that didn’t really make my family too happy.
But, I knew that it was something I always wanted to be a part of.
After working on several feature films and TV shows. I quickly learned that every scene, camera angle, and edit is carefully calculated by dedicated professionals. While many fans and critics can write off a movie as boring, unartistic, or bad, it takes a lot of time work and money.
If you have a story you would like to share with us about your time on set, send us an email to [email protected]
