Extra Work In Edmonton

In the world of filmmaking, extras are background actors who silently bring scenes to life. These performers contribute to the believability of a shot by filling the space and creating a natural atmosphere. If you're ever curious about being part of a movie or TV show, consider looking into extra work to see if it's the right fit for you.

In the world of filmmaking, an extra fills out the background scenes, bringing a movie, television show, or commercial to life. While they usually don't speak and receive modest compensation, some extras land more prominent roles. Known as featured extras, these background performers share more screen time with the stars, potentially even delivering a line or two.

• Be prepared to report to set immediately when the director or assistant director calls you.
• Wardrobe for extras can vary depending on the scene.
• Sometimes, extras will be provided with wardrobe fittings and clothing.
• However, in most cases, extras will wear their own clothes with some guidance from the director or assistant director.
• Period films are an exception. If the movie takes place in a specific historical era, wardrobe will always be provided.
• In that case, the Wardrobe Department will schedule a fitting for you.

For extras working in Edmonton productions, steering clear of white, red, and clothing with large brand logos is a common recommendation.

It's also important to remember that your work as an extra might not always end up in the final cut of the film or show. This is often due to creative decisions made during editing.

While being in the right place is crucial to becoming a movie extra in Edmonton, simply showing up on set won't guarantee a spot. However, by attending a shoot, you might get a chance to connect with someone involved in the production and express your interest. It's uncommon, but occasionally, the crew might ask people watching the filming to fill in as extras. This typically occurs when extras don't show up, or if the director needs someone with a specific appearance who just happens to be nearby.

In the Edmonton film industry, casting agencies for extras often maintain an archive of potential hires. This archive includes a headshot of each extra along with their registration details. The preferred photo is a standard 8"x10" headshot. Traditionally, a resume is attached to the back of the headshot, trimmed to match its size, and secured with tape. While a resume isn't essential for extra work, it can be helpful in landing gigs. If you do create a resume, be sure to include any past experience as an extra, along with your physical attributes.

A well-crafted resume is essential for any extra hoping to land work. While listing previous experience as an extra is important, it shouldn't be the only detail you include. Be sure to showcase your physical attributes by detailing your height, weight, hair color, and eye color. In addition to physical traits, including your clothing measurements (dress, shirt, and pant size) can be helpful for casting directors. Don't forget to provide your complete contact information so they can easily reach you. Finally, consider including a short list of your special skills, hobbies, and sports you participate in. These can make you stand out from other extras. Remember, keeping your resume updated with your latest information is crucial to maximizing your chances of getting hired.

Edmonton's bustling film scene offers opportunities for aspiring actors and extras. However, with this excitement comes the potential for scams. Knowledge is power in this industry, and knowing the red flags can protect you from falling victim.

One common scam involves upfront fees. Remember, legitimate productions won't require financial contributions from extras or actors to participate. Before jumping on board any project, do your research. Familiarize yourself with industry standards to avoid getting taken advantage of.

Being an extra means knowing what to expect during your downtime. You'll typically spend most of your time behind the scenes, waiting for your cue. This cue will likely involve walking across the set, and it will usually happen at the same point and with the same speed each time. However, that specific scene might need to be filmed multiple times for the director to get the perfect shot. This means you might find yourself crossing the set up to 50 times before they call "cut!"

Having impressive talents like juggling, martial arts, or dancing can make finding extra work a breeze. These same skills can also lead to more frequent work opportunities. Standing out from the crowd is all about showcasing your unique abilities, and sometimes, even the kind of car you drive can influence whether you're chosen for a project.

Standing out visually can land you a spot in the crowd scene, but that's not all. Be prepared for long days on set in Columbus — filming projects often require background actors to wait for their turn in front of the camera, sometimes for as long as 18 hours. The reality is, you'll likely spend most of your time waiting.

Spending so much time on set with directors, crew, and fellow actors means good manners are essential. Politeness and courtesy go a long way, and making an effort to remember names and details you're told is key. By building strong connections, you'll expand your professional network. After all, leaving a positive impression can lead to more work opportunities in Edmonton.

While Edmonton offers good pay for extra work, the availability of these jobs can fluctuate significantly, making scheduling difficult. Additionally, union membership can influence your pay rate. The overall regularity of work depends on your specific location within Edmonton and the current filming activity in the area. Fortunately, residing in a city like Edmonton increases your opportunities to land extra work. Furthermore, your experience level directly correlates with how often you'll be hired for on-set positions.

Being a member of a union like Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is optional, but it offers valuable benefits for actors.

While SAG membership is generally beneficial, joining the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) is particularly useful for scoring background acting gigs in Houston.

Once you join either union, make sure to submit a headshot and resume to the AFTRA headquarters for inclusion in their "extras" file.

This is important because producers frequently contact AFTRA to find qualified background actors for their projects.

Joining the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) comes with specific requirements. One such requirement is membership in a sister performers' union for at least a year. The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) is a good starting point. Additionally, you'll need to secure at least one principal extra role under that union's jurisdiction. While many extras begin their careers in Edmonton as non-union members, SAG membership offers significantly higher pay compared to non-union rates.

While your dream role might be a speaking part, there's still a way to get your foot in the door of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in Edmonton. Consider starting as a SAG extra. This doesn't require a huge time commitment, as the minimum number of days you need to work as a SAG extra is three. Productions in Edmonton are required to have a certain number of SAG extras on set each day, so there are opportunities. And, if a scheduled SAG extra can't make it, there's even a chance a non-union extra could be called in to fill the spot for that day.

Joining SAG as a non-union member requires impressing the assistant director. Make a positive first impression by being polite and addressing them by name. Keep your conversations brief and respectful while offering genuine help. Remember, it's important to be both helpful and unobtrusive, demonstrating tact throughout your work. Finally, solidify your positive impact by sending a thank-you note to the assistant director after your time on set. The DGA website might list the assistant director's mailing address for this purpose.