Extra ( acting ) - wikipedia Extra ( acting ) A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking or nonsinging ( silent ) capacity, usually in the background ( for example, in an audience or busy street scene ). War films and epic films often employ background actors in large numbers : some films have featured hundreds or even thousands of paid background actors as cast members ( hence the term `` cast of thousands '' ). Likewise, grand opera can involve many background actors appearing in spectacular productions. On a film or TV set, background actors are usually referred to as `` atmosphere '', `` background talent '', `` background performers '', `` background artists '', `` background cast members '' or simply `` background '', while the term `` extra '' is rarely used. In a stage production, background actors are commonly referred to as `` supernumeraries ''. In opera and ballet, they are called either `` extras '' or `` supers ''. Contents 1 Casting 2 Salary and working conditions 2.1 United Kingdom 2.2 United States 3 In popular culture 4 See also 5 References 6 External links 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 often selected on short notice, after all other preparations for the shoot have been finalized. Several casting agencies specialize only in background work, whilst in the UK the directory Contacts published annually by Spotlight lists all accredited agencies and productions. Some agencies charge a registration fee, and some ( mostly commercial background casting ) will take between 10 % and 15 % commission from any booked work. Artists may be required to provide a basic one - page A4 sized CV / resume, that states basic personal details and dimensions, any significant skills ( e.g. stage combat ), and includes two 8x10 inch photographs on the rear : one head shot ; one full body shot. 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 rollerblading, or dancing. A background actor is often expected to bring his or her own wardrobe to the set, although there are also `` fittings '' for a specific scene or period. A casting director may favor the one who already has the required costume or prop, such as a police uniform, or a musical instrument. On other occasions, where a costume has already been prepared ( for example, to fit another actor who is now unavailable ), a background actor may be selected as a `` costume double '' simply because they are the right size to fit it. On smaller productions or student films, background actors may be hired en masse with little formality. 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, 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. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. ( August 2010 ) United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, the distinction between an actor and an extra is defined by agreements between the actors trade unions Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union ( BECTU ) and Equity, and the various commercial trade and production bodies. These state that once a performer says 13 or more words in any scene, they must become a contracted actor in that production. Minimum pay rates are defined by UK Government minimum wage regulations, and both BECTU and Equity have agreed rates with each body. However, even on non-union productions an extra 's pay is an agreed day - rate for ten hours of production time. All performers under agreement with BECTU / Equity are paid on - going royalties. Hence on many advertisements, which are often shown multiple times and distributed internationally, whilst the extra is paid a contracted day - rate, the largest payment is nominally due from ongoing royalties. Due to the resultant complex calculations from multiple international showings, performers under a union managed agreement are often bought - out of their advertisement royalties with a one - off payment. United states In the United States, most major film and television productions used to fall under the jurisdiction of the Screen Actors Guild ( SAG ) or AFTRA. The two unions have merged into SAG - AFTRA. SAG - signatory producers are allowed to hire non-union background actors after a certain number of SAG performers have been cast ; non-union background actors are usually paid the minimum wage. On productions outside of union jurisdiction, payment for background actors is at the discretion of the producers, and ranges from union - scale rates to `` copy and credit '' ( i.e., no pay ). Those producers who do not pay their actors may be in violation of state and federal laws about minimum wage for a job. Between 1946 and 1992, background actors in film and television were largely represented by the Screen Extras Guild. SEG was disbanded on 1 June 1992 and transferred its jurisdiction to SAG. In popular culture 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. 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 black comedy film Mithya ( 2008 ), the protagonist is a background actor whose facial similarity to an underworld crime boss lands him in trouble. The Chinese - Hong Kong film I Am Somebody ( 2015 ) is about extras working at the Hengdian World Studios. See also Background dancer Bit part Central Casting Character actor Supporting actor Under - Five References Jump up ^ Background Actors, Extras or Atmosphere ? tophollywoodactingcoach Published by Ross, Mae ; 3 - 2 - 1 Acting. Accessed 22 May 2018 ^ Jump up to : Jo Kelly. The Truth About Being an Extra : How to Become a Good Background Actor. Google Books. Retrieved 1 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` How to be an Extra ''. BBC. Retrieved 1 July 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Make money being a film or TV extra ''. Money Magpie. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` How to be a movie extra ''. Daily Mail. Retrieved 1 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` Background Artistes ''. BECTU. 2011 - 07 - 01. Retrieved 2013 - 03 - 26. ^ Jump up to : `` Rates and Agreements - Members Guide & Pamphlet ''. Equity. Retrieved 1 July 2014. Jump up ^ Television and movie agreement - collective bargaining agreement ; Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Monthly Labor Review, August 1992 Jump up ^ Lee, Maggie ( 17 June 2015 ). `` Film Review : ' I Am Somebody ' ''. variety.com. Retrieved 10 October 2015. External links `` Extra helping '', Sam Delaney, The Guardian, 2 April 2005 Film crew ( filmmaking ) Above the line Actor Bit actor Cameo actor Character actor Leading actor Movie star Superstar Supporting actor Film director Screenwriter Film producer Executive producer Line producer Below the line Pre-production Unit production manager Production coordinator Production accountant Assistant director Script supervisor Script coordinator Casting director Production assistant Location manager Location scout Storyboard Storyboard artist Production design Production designer Art director Costume designer Greensman Hairdresser Make - up artist Set decorator Set dresser Property master / mistress ( `` props '' ) Weapons master Visual arts Matte painter Illustrator Scenic design Photography Cinematographer / Director of photography Camera operator Focus puller Clapper loader Steadicam Digital imaging technician Second unit Gaffer Best boy ( electrical ) Lighting technician Key grip Best boy ( grip ) Grip Dolly grip Sound Director of audiography Production sound mixer Boom operator Utility sound technician Dialogue editor Re-recording mixer Foley artist Composer Music supervisor Music editor Orchestrator Special effects Special effects supervisor Visual effects supervisor Animation Animator Visual effects Modeling Rigging Layout artist Talent Acting coach Body double Dialect coach Ensemble cast Movement director Choreographer Extra Talent agent Actor ( voice ) Cast member Stand - in Acting instructor Stage combat Stunt double Stunt performer Under - five Post-production Film editor Sound editor Colorist Animator Technical director Visual effects VFX creative director Visual effects editor Compositor Computer - generated imagery Rendering Other Unit still photographer Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Extra_(acting)&oldid=866122813 '' Categories : Stage terminology Acting Filmmaking occupations Hidden categories : Articles with limited geographic scope from August 2010 Use dmy dates from December 2010 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Frysk 한국어 Hrvatski Ido Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Kurdî Lietuvių Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский کوردی Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська 粵語 Zazaki 中文 27 more Edit links This page was last edited on 28 October 2018, at 11 : 46 ( UTC ). 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Question: in drama an extra is a character that is
Answer: background actor