I've recently graduated and I am now starting to look for an agent, which has obviously not been very successful as of yet! Would anyone recommend signing with an extras agency whilst I build up my CV and then (hopefully!) sign with another agent?
I am proud to say that in my career I have done some SA work - the projects I were involved in were simply excellent and I used every second of being present on set to my full advantage - I didn't do extra work to disappear into the background -
I was sniffing around seeing who was doing what, see the director at work, admire the crew learning also about their trade. The information I soaked up from being SA by listening and watching was so good for my business!
I would rather be on set in any capacity,to see, learn and be involved in the bigger picture, surrounded by the trade that I adore passionately. Background work is SO much better than pulling a pint or greeting nobheads walking up to your reception and dealing with their stupidity or even on a switchboard listening to professional complainers listening to their drivel. This totally energy sucked me dry.
A Director, who knows his job darn well, KNOWS when there is an actor on set because it did happen to me when I was background - A TV Director plucked me out there and then to play opposite the lead actress in an emotional scene and somehow he knew I could do it - he didn't know who I was or my work - but he trusted his intuition.
I didn't do it for the money but the experience was worth a million to me! And by doing extra work, even though people may think it is the lowest of the low, this increased my acting career TENFOLD!!
I hope I'm not lecturing Kirsty but - Just get out there sign to the agencies and do your thing because you will be noticed!
And doing SA work is SO much better than being an understudy/asm. That has got to be the worst thing ever! Especially when there's just no chance of ever going on.
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