Amateur Actors - Discover Great Jobs As An Amateur Actor

Want to stand in front of the camera like the pros? Exciting jobs as actors are not exclusively reserved for trained actors. Non-professionals and amateur actors can also enrich the shoot. Almost every production also uses amateur actors. After all, it is essential that the protagonist has a ‘normal’ environment to make it credible. As an amateur actor, you can create this setting by acting as a passer-by, a café visitor or hospital staff, for example. Would you enjoy a day of filming as an amateur actor? This article explains what exactly characterises an amateur actor and how you could get your first day of filming soon.

The amateur actor under the magnifying glass

The name says it all. These actors, often referred to as bit-part actors or extras , have not learnt the profession of acting and have no acting qualifications. They either have not acted at all or have experience from school and amateur or village theatre.

What is the difference between an extra and a bit-part actor?

The two terms are often confused or even mixed up by the production. Basically, an extra is an actor who does not fulfil a specific role. The typical example: the crowd that surrounds the protagonist and other members of the main cast of the respective production. The bit-part actor, on the other hand, is also used as a speaking actor. For example, the waitress who serves the protagonist his coffee and croissant and says ‘Enjoy your meal’. Or the hotel employee who gives him the key and wishes him a nice day. Both areas are open to non-professional actors and are cast according to experience or requirements. Productions select amateur actors according to the script and the briefing from the director . They are usually supervised by the 2nd assistant director, who also explains to the amateur actors what they should do.

Requirements

Would you like to support the production of your favourite series or movie as an amateur actor? Then certain requirements are important. Speaking roles as a bit-part actor require some experience, acting as an extra hardly any. Visual requirements depend on the production in question. Some productions require an extra to have a diverse background. Age, gender and a certain look are also often required if you want to work as an amateur actor. In general, however, even as a layperson you can get great jobs as an extra or speaking bit-part actor.

Working as a non-professional actor: these are the benefits

First of all: The remuneration that an extra or other bit-part actor receives is determined by the production. The fee depends on the duration of the shooting day . But as an amateur actor, you also receive other benefits. These include the set catering provided by the production, as well as warm rooms if you are the protagonist of an outdoor shoot. And of course, working as a bit-part actor is also fun. Some people also use the job as an extra to find out whether they would enjoy acting as a permanent profession. But you can also take a close look at the classic set jobs as an extra.