Extras In Film And Television

Extras are actors who do not intervene individually in the plot of a film and are usually in the background. They are indispensable for film and television as they make the production appear more realistic, as some scenes would not look authentic without an animated background. The most elaborate use of extras was in Richard Attenborough's 1981 film ‘Ghandi’, in which around 300,000 people - including 200,000 volunteers - took part in a funeral scene. In most cases, the director does not give them any precise instructions, as they are supposed to behave as realistically as possible and not uniformly towards each other. These supporting actors often interact with each other, for example talking to each other in a café in the background, but do not come into direct contact with the main actors. While in the past an explicit distinction was made between extras and extras, this differentiation is not typical in the film industry today. An extra is less likely to be lost in the crowd, but takes on a slightly more individual role and can interact (briefly and superficially) with the main actors and sometimes has a short text.

Acting as an extra in a film

If you would like to get a taste of the world of film and are interested in the processes on set, it is a good idea to take on an extra role. These roles are often paid at a flat rate per day of filming, which can last more than ten hours. The remuneration per hour is usually based on the statutory minimum wage. On some film sets , there is also a supplement if, for example, supporting actors bring a desired outfit (such as a jacket or evening dress) from home so that it does not have to be provided for the shoot. As the acting performance as an extra is of little importance, accepting such a role rarely leads to bigger jobs as an actor. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility that a person will be discovered as a model or talent through acting in a film. Among others, the American Jesse Heiman and the German Johanna Penski, who appeared in several hundred productions , achieved fame for their background roles. To take part in a film as an extra, you can apply specifically for such a role when it is advertised. However, you have a better chance if you register with a casting agency with photos and details of your age, height, build etc., as many production companies are specifically looking for a certain type of person for these supporting roles. At starboxx, you can register directly online as an extra and may soon receive your first offer to appear in a film or series.