Please introduce yourself
My name is Madlena. My primary occupation is implementing pricing and billing software for large companies.
What is your experience in the movie industry?
I have some experience as a background actor or extra in multiple movies, tv series, and tv ads. I found out about the career as extra when I was living in Spain. The job is really popular there because there are shootings happening all the time. I knew people who worked as extras full-time and they were making pretty good money.
However, I started my “career” when I returned back to my country Bulgaria. I took a break of around 6 months between 2 consulting jobs. At that time, I did some freelancing to pay the bills. I had the time and I needed extra income, so that’s when I decided to explore what the movie industry in Bulgaria had to offer to the background actors.
I already knew from my friends in Spain that I had to search for casting agencies. I just went to Facebook and found some companies that were looking for extras. In only a few months I was selected to be in a few American movies such as The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Hellboy 3 to name a few, a Dutch movie, a lot of tv ads, and Bulgarian tv series.
What is the process to find a job as movie extra?
First, find an agency. Like I mentioned earlier, I find them on Facebook or Google. Please keep in mind that not all of the agencies are legit. If they ask you to pay membership, it is probably a scam. In any other job you don’t pay your employer to work for them, don’t you? So, you don’t have to do it working for casting agency either.
Once you find legit agencies, you mostly likely will have to go to their office where a photographer will take a couple of pictures of you for their database. You will also have to fill a form with your data such as your height, any specific body or face characteristics, skills. Add anything that would make you stand out of the crowd and that might get you selected for a cool movie scene.
Once you are in the agency database, the agent will call you every time they have a scene for you.
I recommend you to follow the social media pages of the agency because many times you can see posts around upcoming shooting days. The post usually looks something like “We’re looking for 50 extras of the age between 18 and 50. The filming will happen in the next 3 days in the movie studio. We need you to be available between 9am and 6pm. Daily rate 50 euro”.
What I’ve seen happening is after you’ve done a couple of shootings and you are available most of the days, the agencies will call you more often because they’ve seen they can rely on you. If you are available only on weekends, then, most likely, you won’t get that many calls.
What are the criterias to get selected for a movie?
It all depends on the movie scene. There is a wrong presumption that only young and attractive people get selected as extras. Anyone can be selected if their looks match the characters and the vibe of the movie. For example, if you have a really fancy modern hairstyle, you probably won’t get selected for a role in a movie about the 50s.
Usually, the agency sends pictures of the candidates to the movie director and he or she is who decides who to be in the movie.
A little hint, men with beards get selected more often.
Can you describe your typical working day as extra?
The first word that comes to my mind when talking about working as extra is WAITING. There is a lot of waiting during the working hours.
Your day begins when you reach the filming location. It can be a movie studio or literally anywhere, the city center, a park, a forest, anywhere.
First, you sign an employment contract and a confidentiality agreement. The whole group of extras gathers together and the waiting begins. You might be taken for wardrobe and make-up if the scene requires it. You are told in advance if you will be filming in your own clothes or you will have to change on set.
There is an extra coordinator who explains everyone what they have to do and what the work schedule is. Then you are left waiting until your scene begins. You can socialize with the other extras, read a book, drink coffee, or whatever works for you to kill a couple of hours.
A few hours later, it is show time. The coordinator calls the whole group or a few people only, depends on the scene, and you start filming. The most common scene that involves a lot of people is a street view where your role will be to walk around. So, think of walking the exact same 10 meters 10 times and now you know what your most common activity as movie extra would look like. Another typical scene is at a restaurant or a bar where you sit on a table in the background and pretend to eat and talk to your partners by table.
Then, you go back to the waiting location to wait for the next scene.
At the end of the day, you might have 6 hours of waiting and preparations and 2 hours only or less of actual filming.
What are the typical working hours and days when working as extra?
Again, it all depends on the movie and the scene. The typical working day is quite long – 12 hours is the standard. Each hour on top of the twelve hours is considered as overtime.
Also, a lot of the filming happens during the week and at weird hours such as really early in the morning or late at night.
Do you get food and drinks during the working day?
Yes, if you are contracted for a full day of 12 hours, you would typically get breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, the production will provide water, tea and coffee. The agency makes sure there are vegetarian options as well if requested in advance.
Usually, I bring my own snacks for in between the meals.
What is not allowed on set?
A few rules that I can think of:
- You can’t film anything revealing about the movie with your own phone or camera
- You can’t reveal any information about the movie to friends and family
- You are not supposed to talk to the actors. You can’t just go to them and ask them for a selfie or autograph. Sometimes, they come to us to chat but again, you are not supposed to ask them for a photo
- Never look at the camera when filming your scene
What are the pay rates? Can you live out of it?
Yes, you ca live out of it if you are fully dedicate to it and if you live near a popular filming location where you gill
Can you get bigger roles while working as extra?
You start as a background actor or extra in mass scenes. You are somewhere in the background, your face most likely won’t show up in the movie.
If you are consistent in your job as extra, the agency will cast you for bigger roles such as special characters or even a small role that requires you to say something. What I mean by special character is a character that is important to the scene and stands out of the crowd of walkers in the background. The special character doesn’t always have words but usually has a special outfit and is doing something different than the mass. Example for a special character could be a police man, a taxi driver, a nurse.
What is your favorite scene?
My most favorite scene I have been in is from the “Hitman’s Bodyguard”. We were filming in the center of Sofia. The scene is about a protest against the dictator. There were more than 100 extras who had to play the protesters.
The interesting part was that a huge truck had to drive into the crowd and explode. On the count of 3, the crowd, us, had to start running in panic. That was a lot of fun because everyone got into character. I could see the fear and panic on everyone’s faces. It felt so real. I loved that scene. Ever since that day, I am always looking at the running people in the movies, you know when tsunami hits the city or there is an explosion everyone starts running. Look at their faces. It is hilarious when the extras don’t put much effort in what they do. You sometimes see a relaxed face on someone who is running for his life.
What do you like most about the job?
I love being behind the scenes. I love all the costumes and that I can play different characters. I definitely love meeting the actors. I’ve met so many interesting people who I wouldn’t be able to meet if not on set.
What you don’t like about the job?
The waiting. I really hate this part. Although, it is not that bad if you are there with friends. Every time I tell to myself that it would be the last time to take a job as a movie extra but then I go again. It is so addicting and fun.
I really like this article you shared. Thanks for taking the time to write it
Your post is amazing. Keep writing next posts.
the web designer has the highest paying job as far as freelancing is concerned because I personally hired the web designer but they totally messed up with my website and I still got charge by 700$ then I hired other company that worked according to my requirements and satisfied me and so, Now my website is rank on the first page of a search engine by their effort. highly recommended.
The uncommon person doesn’t generally have words however for the most part has an extraordinary outfit and is accomplishing something else than the mass.
It was extremely all around composed and straightforward. Not at all like different online journals I have perused which are truly not that good.Thanks a lot นิยาย. นิยาย pdf
This is very smart, really an intelligent idea. This is my first time in your blog and I really love it. Thanks for this awesome post. computer science homework help
There are a variety of different blogging websites, NicheKode is one of them but the difference we are trying to offer to our readers is the experience, Our team research the products like VPN, WEB Hosting and experience the products so that our readers can get the advantage of it, we test all the features and we mention the prices as well, you can check our website and latest blogs like (Best Cheap VPN in 2021, best hosting services, Lifetime VPN, Onetime purchase)
Hello there, your article is very nice. Try my blog also
doughnuts
perfect article very informative https://officeplus.ae
This is very smart, really an intelligent idea. This is my first time in your blog and I really love it. Thanks for this awesome post. [b][url=https://mnhls.com/]عسل[/url][/b]
This is very smart, really an intelligent idea. This is my first time in your blog and I really love it. Thanks for this awesome post.
The article provided me with a large amount of knowledge, helping me to expand my knowledge. you can access:
wuxiaworld
marlongibbs
great information to spread on. This is how I want to look at and create there Blog. I really appreciate the effort of write to write such kind of blog. I also faced such kind of problem later I Hire book writers for my own website blog which proven the correct decision and get the result what I wanted to have.
Williamhenry
Your post is amazing. Keep writing next posts. My job is freelance, I like to work and listen to music at the same time, I often listen to soundcloud to mp3
your information is very useful for others thanks for sharing https://www.gisinsulation.com
You know it is no simple task to find a treat that both tastes are good and has what’s good for your dog Milk bone dog treats and pet snacks will keep your dogs happy AND healthy!
I am really happy to visit your blog. Now I have found what I really want. I check your blog everyday and try to learn something from your blog. Thank you and waiting for your new post.
I am really thankful to you for providing this unique information You have a good point here! I totally agree with what you have said!! Thanks for sharing your views…hope more people will read this article keep up the good work The information provided by you is really very good and helpful for me. Keep sharing good information The Matrix 4 Trench Coat
https://www.nyjacket.com/product/the-matrix-resurrections-neo-trench-coat/
Hope more people will read this article keep up the good work This Article is Awesome. It’s help me a lot. Please keep up your good work. We are always with you and Waiting for your new interesting articles Stay Close Green Jacket
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.
Your blog is awesome. i like to visit it everyday. Very nice layout and content. Please continue to uphold.
Backlinks are links from a page on one website to another. This is important to us and you are giving us a chance and opportunity to help each other. We are hoping to have the same goal for the future of ours.
Really enjoyed reading your entire blog. All the points are just amazing to be noted during a party. You’re definitely going to be a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
https://cellphons.com.vn
new office furniture
Thanks for sharing useful information for us. Please visit this: virtual meetings
new office furniture
Phantom book writing is a company offers book writing services, ghostwriting, e-book writing, article writing, editing & publishing services. You can get all the services under one roof. It’s the time to fulfil your dream of becoming best author so, don’t delay it contact us today.
https://phantom-writing.com/
When not required to be in a given place, extras generally congregate in some designated area away from the important people. We have highly trained cleaners who can provide you with customized solutions Affordable Cleaning Services in Fort Worth TX, and surrounding areas.
I am really happy to have found this site at last. Really informative and meaningful activities, Thanks for the post and effort! Please continue to share more as a blog. I have now saved it to my bookmarks so I can keep in touch with you.
Bulgaria is a pleasing country
spokane marriage counseling
Love your suggestions..
https://storageshedsdesmoines.com
it depends on person to person . if a person has interest in movies then he will definitely watch extra movie , Furthermore Click here to get Real Estate Agents in Redlands CA that helps you find any type of property which you want
I found that thread is very helpful but if you wish to write something like any kind of tech or Digital Marketing or any kind of related blog then you can “Write for us” + justlittlethings and feel free to write for us will review and publish it on our website where millions of visitor will read your blog and take advantage of it.
I found that thread is very helpful but if you wish to write something like any kind of tech or Digital Marketing or any kind of related blog then you can “Write for us” + justlittlethings and feel free to write for us will review and publish it on our website where millions of visitor will read your blog and take advantage of it.
Anyone who wants to increase their knowledge easily should check out your blog. Your writing style is excellent, and your content is excellent. Many thanks for continuing to share cleverness with readers. Let’s take a new and different topic this time, which is Space Bar 300 Times In 30 Seconds read the article and tell us what you think. This unique spacebar speed test enables a user to complete the speed challenge by scoring 30 taps within a minute and gives a result of how fast words can you type along with the spacebar taps.
You find Top https://murreeislamabadescorts.com/karachi-escorts.html
mobilsohbet
https://www.gevezeyeri.com/ Sohbet ve chat yapmanızı kolay ve güvenli hale getiren sohbet odaları, sorunsuz ve kesintisiz mobil sohbet siteleri ile arkadaşlık ve yeni kişilerle tanışma imkanı.
Jack Chadwick
This new man album is great I very enjoyed watching and I will also watch your next album like Women Black Sporty Style Leather Jacket I am waiting now please share with us your latest album.
I bet it’s really fun to audition for action movie wireman
thank you for giving us an idea about being a movie star Installing fuse box Cheltenham
amazing article
I was looking for someone that can help me to write an blog over Filomra and its Filmora 11 coupon code that can be helpful for the one who is looking to buy or want to know more about the Filmora before buying.
This is a wonderful article, Given so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the user’s interest in the website.
קבוצת גבאי
A very creative and great idea, I think your idea will be implemented and invented many other ideas.
I am beyond blessed with your content. I am happy to know about what is it to be extra in the movie.
The benefits of gambling online It is an easy way to create an additional career and make real money. As we have already said that online gambling on the website PG SLOT can be a way to earn extra income.
Hello, I just wanted to compliment you on your excellent website. As of now, this is one of the most unique and Nike SB Dunk Reps High sites that I visited this year. As you have a Fascinating content and very well laid out and it was easy to read. You should be commended for all of your efforts. Take care and I wish you the best in your current and future endeavours.
I like the details, it is very motivational and inspiring to those who aspire to be movie directors. [url=https://www.yukonsbestinsurance.com/]yukon auto insurance[/url]
Your blog is very handy to those who want to become movie directors. yukon auto insurance/
game slot online is the good game.
[url=https://slotgame.casino/]slot[/url]
pgslot
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud PGSLOT ได้เองก่อน จนกว่าจะพอใจและจึงค่อยเล่นจริง นอกจากนี้ทุกครั้ง
says any vote for them is a vote for exertions ambbet ทางเข้า AMBBET มันง่ายมาก แค่กดเข้าสู่ระบบ ที่เราเตรียมไว้ให้ท่าน
Being an impartial is all care and pg slot ทดลองเล่นวันนี้ด้วยเครดิตฟรีถึง 10,000 เครดิต ซึ่งเราได้เอาใจใส่ลูกค้าด้วย
Great content!!! Thanks for sharing this informative post.
Thanks for the great content sir, I will also share with my friends.
Free Fire Reddem Code
This means that the business owner will not necessarily have to worry about calling an emergency technician for a quick visit to the commercial building. ac maintenance
Power inverters build up heat and need to be cooled in order to function properly. Also, look for a model with metal construction as opposed to a plastic shell. power inverter for car
Megagame สล็อตออนไลน์ อันดับ 1 ทางเข้าเล่น สล็อต แตกง่ายที่สุด เกม พีจี แตกบ่อย โปรโมชั่น โบนัส และ ฟรีเครดิต สล็อตออนไลน์สูงสุด ต้อง MEGASLOTGAME.COM ทุกอย่างผ่าน ระบบ อัตโนมัติ
That’s a challenge, indeed. real estate license oklahoma/
Minachan
Awesome, Interesting information. Thanks. happy wheels
Mariz Han
WHAT IS Temp MAIL?
Temporary mail is a combination of the words mail and temporary. For example, you need a website’s email address to sign up or apply for a job. Using temporary email addresses is a great idea.
Spam can happen if you give out your permanent email address. It saves people who get dozens of spam emails every day time and bother.
Spam won’t get through because Temp Mail only last an hour. Using temporary email addresses, you can talk to people privately and share files. Before hackers can get to sensitive data, they have to get permanent email addresses. A one-hour email address, on the other hand, is safe. You can send sensitive information in 10 minutes with it.
If you are in the agency database, agents will call you when they have a role for you.
trap the cat
MARINE SERVICES
It also teaches you how to use the software to get number frequencies with the click of a button. You will discover how to use the software to generate numbers that will most likely be drawn in future drawings on lotteries worldwide. togeldingdong
Unless you prefer to pay a lot more money and have your life inconvenienced for a period of time while a new roof is being build on your home, hiring a company that can repair specific issues can be a much better option. Roof Repair Insider
Stephen Jones
nice blog this got helpfullof my https://y2mate.is/en56/
homepage
Smartphones have now become a very important part of our lives. We now do most of our daily operations on our smartphones how to speed up android phone
stiffness and leaves peoeple feeling tight and stiff. Stress can disrupt healthy breathing patterns which result in shortness or constrictedness of breath which results in less oxygen to the muscles and organs which impairs its ability to heal, repair and rejuevenate. 출장안마 런
Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work.
reputationpride