Extras agency until agent?

Ok guys…stop getting touchy all of you…dear oh dear!!

Now I have sat back and let this roll….but just to bring it back to some politeness and more grown up content.

Kirsty simply asked a question…..and perhaps we can simply answer it honestly and politely for her?

Kirtsy…the only thing I picked up on in your question…and I am sure you did not mean it to sound like that…is should I build up my CV by doing some extra work! Well simple answer to that is NO!

If you meant, should I do some extra work to earn some extra money…….sure why not!

If you meant should I do some extra work to learn how it all works on a film set……yup, for sure.

Will doing extra work hold me back in my career? If you keep it a strict secret, keep your head down, and stay in the background at all times, then probably no.

If you let main agents know you are doing this kind of work, and you try to pass off the extra credits as professional featured roles on your CV…..you may well get found out…and you will sink like a fish in no time, so a big no to doing that. This business is a very small world!

A featured credit on a CV should be no less than just what it is….a role in which you had to go to a casting, and based on the audition….you got chosen to do the role. The role might only be a couple of lines….doesn't matter, it's still a professional featured part/credit.

To sum up, there are a lot of pitfalls to extra work: I did a little bit of it when I first started out 22 years ago, and I found it very useful as a technical school. I watched the featured artistes take their direction and observed how the whole process all worked…..invaluable.

The downside: You are usually treated like crap ……and it is still considered the graveyard of morons. In certain cases…it's justified!! However, I found I met a load of fab talented actors, and for networking at the start of a career, it was invaluable to me.

I stopped it when I got a featured agent, and in order to be taken seriously, I personaly think one should not do it….unless you hide the fact you are doing it. You might get the odd line here and there…..but it's rare unless you are putting yourself forward…..and that negates standing out of the way in the background!

I end with a story on why I gave it up once and for all:
I was on set to be "man at the door!" The 3rd and then the 2nd were telling me what the action would be, and that when the door is answered by the main actor, there would be a few lines of conversation. I said…oh great stuff…but I don't have those lines? The 2nd AD said: "Oh…no no….sorry….no the lines will be said by a proper actor!"

I knew I had to stop there and then………..and said to her sarcastically…oh well thank God…a proper actor is coming…phew! It summed up how Extras are looked upon though!

For me personally I would never go back to it, but if it works for you, and you can keep your head down….sure …what's the harm, you will learn, and earn, more than cleaning tables!

Is that deluded....nahhh...I don't think so.

Pssst...Kirsty...get someone to build you a video showreel....Ummmm....!!!!!

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Anyone seen the latest job posting? If you are not suitable for an 'artists' role you may be offered 'walk on' or 'supporting artist'AND IT'S THE SAME MONEY!!!!
What d'you reckon 'Bobby'Dazzler? Shall we go for it?

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Isn't it the case with these castings (ads for unknown casting company) that walkons and extras don't get the buyout fee - just the bsf - only the featured roles get the buyout - which, given the high profile of the products - is pretty damn poor.

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haha well I've gone for it anyway! (me and probably five-million others- with it being the first paid job in Manchester on CCP for as long as I can remember! lol)

WOOH- best of luck everyone :-)
papa needs a new pair of shoes!

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The one I looked at Toni was £200 BSF and nothing else - no mention of buyout or per day and 3 filming days.
x

• 14 years ago
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Best of luck Nathan, You're right about Manchester though, where is all the work?? I couldn't apply anyway - that CCP age thing is stopping me - AGAIN!!!!!!

• 14 years ago
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Hi Eliza
It's pathetic isn't it? That sort of thing does make a mockery of it all. I wouldn't go for it on principle!
Good luck Nathan.

• 14 years ago
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Arrgghhh. Just realised that what I said might seem as if I was being rude to Nathan - I didn't mean it like that :-(

• 14 years ago
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Hello Members,

I have been reading this forum thread with some concern.
What started out as a perfectly intelligent question posted by Kirsty, leading on to a personal opinion expressed by Dazzler has turned into what I can only describe as a bullying fest!

Why can an individual not be entitled to express an opinion without fear of a backlash, as demonstrated in this instance? Whether or not I agree with the comments made by dazzler is irrelevant, I do however find his point perfectly valid regarding why discussions like this are taking place on this site and not the dedicated 'Extras' site?

Dazzler, if I were you I would not retaliate any further. You are clearly an intelligent person and understand fully the nature of this business, I feel that whatever point you try to make will not be appreciated as I'm sure it was intended!

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Hi

just wanted to say thank you to those who have emailed me privately with support on this thread.

it's reassuring to know that there are some people out there who can view things objectively.

cheers guys

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I don't think it was Dazzler's opinion that got everyone hot and bothered Stacey, I think it was simply that he chose to put a few disparaging comments at the end of his well constructed opinions on extra work.

Dazzler's opinions on doing extra work are completely valid, definitely, everyone has experienced different results from doing it and it doesnt mean they are right or wrong, but the sweeping generalisations about members and the site, were a little arrogant and mean.

The original post was just asking a simple question and if you want to answer it and help out, then don't, but there's no point jumping in just to put her and everyone else down for asking/answering.

It may not be a valid question to you but it obviously was for the poster.

What was that my Mammy taught me, if you cant say anything nice .... well we all know the rest :o)

And to answer the original post, I'll agree with Forbes, extra work is better than doing an office job in between auditions, but I wouldn't recommend putting the experience on your acting CV.

I think it was Toni that said, you wouldn't use nursing experience on an acting CV, so it's the same with Extra work.

Hope that helps :o)

• 14 years ago
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Exactly it was the disparaging comments that got me going.
Oppinions welcome!(especially as we largely agree, I did say it was frowned upon from day 1) but "irritating", "amateur", "bullshitters"... well That's just not nice.

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Oh don't worry Toni, I knew what you meant! lol

didn't matter anyway, I never even got viewed for the job! lol, but with big castings like that they probably only looked at the first two or three pages of applicants. It's all just luck until the audition. :-)

more fish in the sea and more auditions ahead- I hope! lol
;-)

• 14 years ago
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Hi Nathan
Bummer! Never mind - there will be more :-))

• 14 years ago
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Yes Toni - my point exactly! But as you also say no reflection on Nathan, I think it was a different job though anyway.

• 14 years ago
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Well ... having just returned from two lovely weeks in the Caribbean .. having sorted out some 165 emails, I decide to run through the threads ... my God ..

A simple, and polite request from a new graduate, is held up to scorn. NOT by all, I hasten to add, but by someone who most definitely should know better.

If indeed you have 11 years experience behind you Mr.Dazzler, then you have not learned a thing during those years.
A little humility goes a long way in this profession ... it seems you are devoid of that trait !!!.

One thing stands out more than any other, when I cast my mind back over the 50 years I have been in this business and that is, one never stops learning. I venture to suggest that you stopped the day you left your Drama course.

Kirsty ... do what your gut feeling tells you .. learn about your trade. Either way you will get help. I can't recount the number of "Extras" I have helped on their way, during my career ... one of whom went into Dr.Who for a couple of years .. no longer an Extra !!!.

You have had a great deal of advice in this thread ... but the decision is yours, and yours alone. Take no heed of a man whose about to make a name change .. from Bobby Dazzler to Bobbies Helmet ... people like him are in the minority .. thank God.
But take heart in the fact that your simple request for help and advice has aroused much interest ... over 3000 in fact.

Best of luck, my lovely.

• 14 years ago
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Hi,

I'm a 'trained' actress (what ever than means these days) and I have enjoyed filming/tv/theatre experience over the past 10 years, but have recently hit a low patch!

So, I have just signed up with agencies as a Supporting Artist, on the advice of a very good friend of mine!

It was something I was 'programmed' NOT to do as it would be considered unworthy of a trained professional!!!

What a load of RUBBISH!!! I would MUCH rather spend my time with other 'industry' people and gain valuable camera experience (and meet like-minded people) than sit behind a desk in some soulless office or wait on tables in some poxy restaurant!!

Go for it! Extra Agencies are the way to go!!

• 14 years ago
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you havr nothing to lose by joining an extras agency.
at least you'll be working.
try 20/20

• 14 years ago
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Come on guys how long is this discussion going to run for - it's getting a bit tedious now.
...Final point on this - there is a dedicated site for Extras may I suggest you carry on this debate there - otherwise what's the point of it - Casting Call may as well integrate the 2.

• 14 years ago
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This ran for so long because a) it's a highly emotive and contentious subject, b) there are clearly two distinctly differing camps and c) your friend chose a very unfortunate way of expressing his opinion insulting and alienating the majority of CCP members in the process. Whilst Dazzlers opinion is as valid as my own and the other contributors it just goes to prove there is no right or wrong way to success in this way despite what some have drummed into their psyche in British drama schools!

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