Can Background Extra Work Hurt Your Chances of Becoming an Actor?
With booming film production in Georgia, New York, Louisiana, and California, background acting has become an accessible way for newcomers to earn money, meet industry professionals, and gain on-set experience. But aspiring actors often hear a common warning:
“Don’t do extra work — it will hurt your acting career.”
Is that true? Is background work a career killer, or is it a useful stepping stone? Here’s the honest breakdown.
Will Doing Extra Work Hurt Your Acting Career? The Truth
Many actors fear getting “stuck” doing background work forever, but in reality, this almost never happens. Here’s why:
1. Casting for Extras and Casting for Speaking Roles Are Completely Separate
Television and film productions use two different casting offices:
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Extras casting (hires background actors)
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Principal casting (hires speaking roles)
These departments typically do not interact, meaning extras casting does not influence whether you’re chosen for speaking roles. They’re simply too busy to track your background history.
In other words:
👉 Casting directors for speaking roles are not monitoring your extra work.
2. Talent Agents Don’t Care About Your Background Work
Another myth is that agents and managers won’t sign you if you’ve done a lot of background work.
The reality?
They won’t know unless you tell them.
Background acting should never appear on:
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Your professional acting résumé
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Your IMDb page
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Your website or portfolio
These credits don’t help your career — but they also don’t hurt it as long as you don’t list them.
3. When Can Extra Work Actually Hurt You?
There is only one scenario where background extra work may cause a problem:
➤ If you are heavily featured on a show and then audition for a speaking role on that same show soon after.
Even then, the odds are extremely low. Productions often hire day players who have previously worked as background actors.
Examples include:
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Extras becoming day players
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Extras auditioning months later and booking recurring roles
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Extras being upgraded on set
Long story short:
👉 This risk is real but very rare.
4. The Downsides of Extra Work (You Should Still Know)
Extra work is not glamorous. Here’s what beginners should be aware of:
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Non-union background rates are lower than years ago.
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Days can be long — 8 to 14 hours is common.
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You’re often the last priority on set.
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Advancement is slow unless you take training seriously.
But despite these limitations, background work offers real value — especially when you’re starting.
5. The Benefits of Doing Background Work
Yes, extra work has downsides, but it also offers important advantages for beginners:
✔ On-set experience
You learn how sets operate, how crews communicate, and what is expected from professionals.
✔ Networking opportunities
You can meet:
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Other aspiring actors
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Stand-ins
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Assistant directors
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Background casting teams
Many actors book future work because they made a good impression.
✔ Income while learning the industry
You can earn money while figuring out your type, résumé, and training plan.
✔ A proven stepping stone
Many famous actors started as extras — including Brad Pitt, Megan Fox, Renée Zellweger, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Jackie Chan.
Conclusion: Should You Avoid Extra Work?
No — background work will not hurt your acting career, as long as you:
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Don’t rely on it forever
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Don’t list it on your résumé
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Continue training and auditioning
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Understand its purpose: experience, not exposure
Extra work is simply one step on the journey. What matters most is how you use the opportunity and how you continue to grow your craft.
Ready to start your acting journey? Find real background acting jobs now!
Browse hundreds of casting calls available today on Project Casting and apply instantly.
👉 Start your background acting career here: ProjectCasting.com/job
How to Become an Actor:
5 Things That Only an Actor Understands – Want to become an actor, then you must understand the business behind show business and that is how everyone uses and needs an actor.
4 Things Actors Should Be Doing Everyday – In order to succeed in the film industry, actors must work hard everyday on their acting craft and building a reputation as a committed actor.
4 Acting Classes You Should Be Taking for a Better Audition – Are you thinking about taking acting classes? Here are 4 types of acting classes that you should be taking to improve your auditions.
4 Acting Secrets the Pros Won’t Tell You – As an actor, acting can be tough and finding acting jobs can be even tougher. Here are acting tips you can use to build your acting career.
4 Hidden Secrets to Landing a Talent Agent- Learn how to get a talent agent to represent you as an actor. So you want to become an actor?
How to Master Your Monologue in 4 Steps- Learn how to perform a monologue better with these 4 easy steps.
5 Killer Tips You Should Know to Prepare for an Audition- Learn what an acting audition is and how to prepare for your next audition as an aspiring actor.
What do you think? Do you have any acting tips you would like to share? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
