Extra (acting)
A background actor or extra is a
On a film or TV set, background actors are usually referred to as "supporting artists", "junior artists", "atmosphere", "background talent", "background performers", "background artists", "background cast members", "talent", "background friends", or simply "background",[1] while the term "extra" is rarely used and is often considered derogatory.[citation needed] In a stage production, background actors are commonly referred to as "supernumeraries". A more archaic theatre term is "sword carriers". In opera and ballet, they are called either "extras" or "supers".[citation needed]
Casting
Casting criteria for background actors depend on the production. It is not entirely true that background cast members require little or no acting experience, as any type of unrealistic portrayal must include some form of imagination and acting. Punctuality, reliability and the ability to take direction also figure prominently for these cast members. Background actors are generally selected on short notice, after all other preparations for the shoot have been finalized.[2]
Several casting agencies specialize only in background work, while in the UK the directory Contacts published annually by
When hiring background actors, casting directors generally seek those with a specific "look", such as "high school students" or "affluent senior citizens", consistent with the context of the film. Casting directors may also look for background actors with a special skill for the scene, such as
The length of a background actor's employment on a production largely depends on the needs of the director and the scenes being filmed. Some background actors are needed on the set only for a day or two and are paid on a daily basis, while others may remain with the film for an extended period. For instance, on James Cameron's film Titanic, a group of 150 "core background actors" was hired to play the ship's passengers, and employed throughout the filming.
Salary and working conditions
The examples and perspective in this section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (August 2010) |
United Kingdom
In the
United States
Since 2012, in the
SAG-AFTRA signatory
From 1946 until 1992, background actors (in film and television) were largely represented by the Screen Extras Guild. The Screen Extras Guild was dissolved in 1992 (legally dissolved in 1994[9]) and its portrayal was transferred back to SAG as "West Coast extras".[10]
Notable extras during the Studio Era include Bess Flowers, Ellinor Vanderveer, Symona Boniface, Minta Durfee, Florence Wix, Maurice Costello, Lester Dorr, Philo McCullough, Barry Norton, Larry Steers, and Shep Houghton. Notable American extras of the modern era include Emmy Collins and Jesse Heiman.
Cultural references
The 1922 novel Merton of the Movies by Harry Leon Wilson depicts the tribulations of a male extra.
The silent film The Extra Girl (1923) portrays a small-town girl who comes to Hollywood and becomes a background actor in her attempt to achieve stardom. Souls for Sale (also 1923) depicts a young woman's career trajectory from extra to leading lady, though her progress is more haphazard.
The novels Extra-Girl by Stella G.S. Perry (1929) and I Should Have Stayed Home by Horace McCoy (1938) depict the working lives of Hollywood extras during the Great Depression.
The feature film Movie Crazy depicts a would-be actor (Harold Lloyd) working as an extra.
The quasi-documentary Hollywood Extra Girl, directed by Herbert Moulton, depicts the experience of a young female extra working on The Crusades (1935).
In his novel Infinite Jest (1996), David Foster Wallace refers to silent extras in sitcoms as "figurants", commenting that the need to include them is a concession to reality, even while their complete silence is unrealistic.[11]
The British television sitcom Extras (2005–07) follows the exploits of two professional background actors, Andy and Maggie. They spend most of their time on set looking for a speaking role and a boyfriend, respectively.
In the Hindi
The Filipino
The Chinese-Hong Kong film I Am Somebody (2015) is about extras working at the Hengdian World Studios.[16]
See also
- Background dancer
- Bit part
- Cameo appearance
- Central Casting
- Character actor
- Supporting actor
- Under-Five
References
- ^ Ross, Mae. "Background Actors, Extras or Atmosphere?". tophollywoodactingcoach 3-2-1 Acting. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9771878-0-5.
- ^ "How to be an Extra". BBC. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ^ a b c "Make money being a film or TV extra". Money Magpie. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ^ "Background Artistes". BECTU. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ Equity. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ^ Jill Goldston, Guinness World Records website
- ^ "Screen Actors Guild Fast Facts". CNN. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ "1990s". Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ Verrier, Richard (10 June 2011). "Extras are the center of attention in crackdown on casting company fees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ "Infinite Jest: Giving a Voice to Figurants". University of Texas, Austin. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ Kuipers, Richard (11 September 2013). "Toronto Film Review: 'The Bit Player'". Variety. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- ^ Hawson, Fred (29 July 2013). "EKSTRA: An Excellent Paradox". Blogger. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- ^ Jimenez-David, Rina (19 August 2013). "'Ekstra': The country in miniature". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- ^ "A review paper for Ekstra (2013): A film by Jeffrey Jeturian". ilusyonaryo.com. WordPress. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- variety.com. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
External links
- "Extra helping", Sam Delaney, The Guardian, 2 April 2005