The Background Performers » On Set Diaries

Do I blame the extra agency or the show?

Extras — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:27:00 +0000

It’s surreal when you’re an extra without a superb look. By superb I mean you can pass for any age, look etc. and there’s nothing they can’t include you in. You’re not too ethnic, or have red hair or whatnot… That’s what it seems casting directors cannot stand, “Those damned redheads” – well, the males anyway.

Either way, I’m living hand to mouth, cheque to cheque, whatever it may be. I need the money I’m owed, and whilst waiting on my girlfriend to pick it up, I get the phone call. “Babe?” “Yes…” “They don’t have it.”

Now they’re claiming I’ve picked it up, which I haven’t. So right now I’m livid and worrying what I’m to do.

I love being an extra. How many days have I been on set this month? Oh yes, none.

Pay Non-Union Extras More and we’ll act accordingly

Extras — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:37:29 +0000

It’s funny, every time you’re on set you’re told to do this and do that and follow instruction. It’s not complicated and I’ve never insinuated that it is, but the issue arises when you look at what we get paid. Extra work is not secure, and there are no raises. In the five years that I’ve been doing it, I haven’t received close to one increase and I don’t complain. Not until I’m spoken down to like a child.

I only start whining though, actually that’s a lie, I’m a “background artist,” so whining is my forte… Anyway, back to the point, I only start really bending people’s ears when I’m met with a condescending rant by an AD or wrangler. That’s how most react. Non-Union wages are below minimum wage once you deduct agency fees. Amusing as it isn’t, people still perceive being an extra as having some power in the film industry. Um….

That Infamous Casting Director

Extras — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:19:28 +0000

So today I’m working for that infamous casting director. This guy happens to be the one that all extras fear, the one that requires that you show up extra early (if you’ll excuse the pun), not be paid, bring more than anyone else and inevitably only be there for a short four hour call. Now four hours at non-union rate ($10/hr) is $40, minus agency fees of 15% plus tax, you’ve had a pretty shitty work day. You leave yourself open to an infinitely long day, that’s where the small amount of money is and then you rapidly realize that you’ve been screwed.

Always good to be aware that you’re wasting your time beforehand, isn’t it?

Untitled Comedy filming in Vancouver with Seth Rogen

Extras — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:11:52 +0000

Untitled Comedy filming in Vancouver with Seth Rogen and the guy from 500 Days of Summer/3rd Rock From The Sun

So we gathered for another day of fun, and proof that movies really have a ton of money to spend on short scenes. As background, nearly 70 of us, we waited in a warm tent near the Waldorf on Hastings street in Vancouver, BC. For two evenings, they called us in (well, a lot of people began the day earlier to participate in the office scene) just for the office party scene.

Not a bad little set, a few familiar faces helped the time go by well. And although the non-union crafty tent wasn’t as equipped as well as the union’s (it never is), it was actually a nice spread.

Another Day on Set – 30 Days of Night 2 (Dark Days)

Extras — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:11:46 +0000

Another Day on Set – 30 Days of Night 2 (Dark Days)

Life as an extra can be fun, amusing, thrilling etc. Especially when there’s a little variety involved. Last week, I had the privilege of being a non-union extra on 30 Days of Night 2. Unlike most sets, there was a clear separation of union and non-union extras. This time though, it was made clearer than usual as we were separated into completely different tents. After all, you wouldn’t want to integrate both non-union scum and union darlings, would you?

This wasn’t a move made by the casting director, or the union members themselves. No, this was a production move, a choice by someone within the ranks of the 30 Days of Night 2 crew who thought that having non-union members who were entitled to one set of food, and union members, who were entitled to the “better” food (and breakfast) would best be handled separately. Segregate ‘em, don’t let those non-unioners acquire delusions of grandeur.