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ITS TOUGH BEING AN EXTRA
WHAT IS A FILM EXTRA Film extras are people with or
without acting experience who are required to fill the background on a set
Where people are needed in a particular scene. Extras DO NOT have dialogue and are
usually required to do no more that sit, stand or move around as instructed
by the director and / or the first A.D
Groups of extras are sometimes
required to make background noise or shout depending on the scene. This is
NOT considered to be dialogue.
WHAT IS A “ FEATURED EXTRA” A featured extra is a person who is
selected to perform a specific role on set and is featured “ on camera”.
Featured extras are sometimes
“PRE –CAST” or they can be CAST on set. Featured extras are usually paid a
little more than the extras. If a featured extra is given scripted dialogue
(no more than a few words) then he/she should be paid accordingly. This
however, is at the discretion of the production company.
It is important to let your agent know if you were given dialogue.
Single words like “hello”, “goodbye “, “thank you “ etc are NOT
considered to be dialogue.
Scripted dialogue however, should always carry additional remuneration.
INDUSTRY TERMINOLOGY SET
The area where the filming takes place LOCATION
The address where the filming takes place CALL = A day OR night on set. A call
can be anything from 1-12 hours. Calls lasting longer than 10-12 hours carry
overtime HALF CALL = Some production book
extras for half a day at a lower rate-this however is not common- most
productions pay a full call even if you are released after a short time. CALL TIME = The call time is the
time you are expected on set. The 12-hour day is calculated from call time
to wrap CALL RATE = What you will be paid
for the shoot (or per call) WRAP =
The time you are released WARDROBE CALL = If you have a
“wardrobe call” it means that you are required to go for a fitting of the
clothing you will be required to wear on set. In some instances you will be
paid for wardrobe call. FIRST A.D = First Assistant Director
– he/she is responsible for extras on set PROPS = You may be requested to
bring suitcase or briefcase etc to set. DIRECTOR = MAIN MAN PRODUCER = MONEY MAN EXTRAS RELEASE FORM = This is a
standard form that all extras are required to sign. If you DO NOT SIGN THE
REALEASE FORM, YOU MAY NOT BE PAID. CREW = Everyone on set who is not an
actor or an extra CONTINUITY = This is a very
important aspect of being a film extra. If you are booked for more than one
shoot and are told by your agent that you are “in continuity” it means that
you MUST be present for all the
days you are booked. If you are not available for all the days you are
needed then DO NOT accept the shoot. AUDITION/CASTING – Extras are often
called to audition for specific parts or for TV commercials. This is also
known as a casting. YOU WILL NOT BE PAID FOR GOING TO AUDITIONS.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT ON SET When you arrive at the location
report to the Co-ordinator or First A.D and sign the Extras Form. Make sure
that you sign in and out ( if required) otherwise we have no proof that you
were on set for the full period of the shoot. If your call time is before
07H00 you will be given a full breakfast.
If it is after 07H00 you will receive
“craft service” only.
Tea, coffee, biscuits, etc.
Craft services are normally available all day
(or night). If you do not WRAP before 13H00 you
will be given lunch, and supper if you are still on set by 18H00 or 19H00. Extras spend a lot of time sitting
around doing nothing – so always bring a book to read or something to do. Crew tend to take out their
frustration on the extras. Do not allow this to upset you.
Never make a fuss on set.
If you are unhappy about something, report it to your agent the next
day. Most production feed the crew and
actors separately from extras and usually before the extras.
Also extras often get different food.
Don’t expect it to be any other way and if it is, it is the exception
rather than the rule.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU ON SET Always be ON TIME. It is possible
you will be told to leave if you arrive late and you will not be paid. ALWAYS SIGN IN Dress correctly.
Follow your agents wardrobe instruction exactly – if you do not have
the correct clothing – tell your agent. Don’t just assume that you can wear
whatever you like. Extras can be asked to leave if dressed incorrectly.
If are you asked to bring one or more changes of clothing – DO SO!!! DO NOT BRING FRIENDS OR RELATIVES TO
SET. If you do and they are used, they will not be PAID. DO NOT BRING VALUABLES ON SET.
Neither Chameleon nor the production company is responsible for the loss of
valuables (sunglasses, wallets,
clothing, etc). Listen to the director’s
instructions. Don’t ad-lib or
make comments. Do only as you
are told. Don’t try to draw
attention to yourself by being “cocky” or by making silly comments. Do not “hassle” the actors for
autographs or photos. Agents
are told when extras make nuisance of themselves and will find they will not
be used again. NO CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED ON SET. Make sure you have clean hair and
women should arrive already made-up, unless otherwise instructed.
WHAT YOUR AGENT EXPECTS OF YOU *BE ON TIME * DRESS CORRECTTLY *
BEHAVE CORRECTLY ON SET * DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL ON SET. -
Follow instructions. -
Do not leave the set until you are released. -
Report to your agent if you had dialogue or were featured. -
Phone regularly to check for shoots. -
Notify us if you change your phone number and/ or address. -
Advise us if you NO longer wish to work or if your availability
status has changed. - You
are obliged to advise us, your agent if you are registered with any other
casting agencies or have done shoots. If you were in a Rama Margarine ad and
we don’t know about it and send you to a Sunshine D ad there will be a lot
of problems, as the same extras may not be used in competitive product
advertising.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPEXT OF YOUR AGENT We will book you as often as
possible. Remember – not everyone is suited to every shoot. We will pay you when we have
received payment, less our 25% commission.
We do not like people who “NO SHOW”
– that is do not arrive when you have been booked for the shoot.
No shows will carry a penalty ( see conditions of registration) As
well as de-registration with immediate effect. We will always try to get the best
possible call rate for you and the call rate quoted to you is exactly what
we are paid. Commission is deducted from the quoted call rate. Our invoicing
to production houses are available on request. Auditions: All extras fitting the
description that are being auditioned for will be phoned and sent to the
audition. If you are not phoned
it is because we couldn’t reach you.
Notice of auditions are not usually more than a day or two and we do
not have time to try and get hold of you if we are unable to reach you. As your agent we are entitled to
sign contracts on your behalf should you verbally authorize us to do so.
Should you wish to see the contract before we sign it, you will have to come
to the office to do so.
REMUNERATION Call rates for extras vary from
production to production. Rates
for extras for film work & TV dramas range from R350 upwards.
Featured extras from R750 upwards per call.
Bit parts or “one
liners” from R1500 per call.
Remuneration for commercials and stills vary greatly, but are usually
much higher than film work.
Extras who continually refuse the lower paying shoots will not be offered
the better paying shoots.
TRANSPORT See conditions of registration.
CARDINAL RULES NO SHOW is NOT OK – Phone us to let
us know if you can’t make a shoot, or if you are lost or going to be late
put our number in your phone – 086 111 2054. DO NOT BRING FRIENDS OR FAMILY TO
THE SET – EVER FOLLOW DRESS INSTRUCTIONS STAY ON SET UNTIL WRAP
EXTRAS WHO ARE CONTACTABLE , RELIABLE, PUNCTUAL – GET THE
WORK
ATTITUDE As with everything in life – being a
good film extra depends on your attitude – we soon get to know who we can
trust and your attitude towards the tough parts of being an extra will
enhance your opportunity of
“ the big break”
THE PERKS Part of being an extra is that your
agency will send you to auditions for TV commercials.
Many commercials pay a lot of money and they mainly use “ordinary
people” for TV commercials. The
auditions are often tedious and sometimes you may have to spend a couple of
hours waiting your turn to audition.
But if you persevere you will eventually get your break.
Remember if you don’t audition – you have no chances of getting into
an ad. Your agent is very selective about who is sent to auditions.
if you are not right for the part you will not be sent.
We do not deliberately waste your time – if you are asked to audition
it is because we think you have a chance of getting the part.
WORKING YOUR WAY UP After you have done many shoots as
an extra and have been featured a few times as well as having a little
dialogue now and then, your agent might feel that you are ready to try for
slightly bigger parts. It is
important to discuss your aspirations with your agent.
If you are quite happy doing extra work only, then it is fine to do
so – but if you have the ambition to work your way up to being an actor –
then let us know this and we will try wherever possible to get you a small
dialogue parts and will start getting you to audition for bigger parts.
Don’t get discouraged if you do not get the part you auditioned for –
keep going to the auditions, learn from them and eventually you too may get
your big break.
IF THIS ALL SOUNDS GOOD TO YOU COME AN REGISTER WITH US
AT
670 Main Pretoria Rd, cnr Arkwright (entance)
Wynberg, Sandton
To Register You will Need:
Copy of ID Book
Your Tax No
Tax No (if you have worked before phone SARS to get your
tax no on 0800 00 72 77 with your ID No and they’ll give it to you over the
phone. If not you will need to go into your nearest SARS office to get a Tax
No it take a few minutes to apply. You will need 1. Certified copy of ID
Book, 2. Your ID book, Proof of residential address, Banking Details on a
Bank letterhead.
A bank Letter with your banking details
Residential and Postal Address Details
R50 (Registration is R250 we will deduct R200 off your
first job)
We will take photos of you here.
Look forward to meeting you!
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