| 1. Background work(Extra Work) is many times
a great source of income for those pursuing an acting career. Many who
work as extras have no aspirations beyond working on a regular basis and
being around the business. If you want to work as an actor and build a
career, however, and not as background, play your cards close to
your chest and refrain from making friends with the director or producers
on the set. They will think you are a "great extra" and your principal
acting career may be stifled as far as that production company goes. |
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2. Many actors use background work to get
the vouchers necessary to join SAG. It's an excellent way and is also very
competitive because there are so many actors wanting to qualify for SAG.
If you are very unique, this process will work for you. Of course,
the younger you are, the better. Over 18 to play younger is HOT right now
for all of those teen shows and features.
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| 3. Most principal casting directors DO NOT
want to see extra work on your resume and DO NOT want to hear about it.
The only exception that I know of is SOAP casting directors who don't care
one way or the other. They will use you as background and sometimes call
you in for a contract role. ALL other CD's don't want to know about your
background work and will definitely think you are NOT READY if you talk
about it. So be sure to NOT discuss your extra work when you meet the CD's
who cast principal work. Just a Tip. |
