Stigma surrounding S.A Work

OK. I often check into the forum to have a good read and quite often pick up good things and actually learn a few pointers. One thing that does seem to grind my gears though is the snobbery against SA/Extra work.

As an actor, I have TV, film and theatre experience internationally and I have always felt it important to keep myself busy within the industry at some level if I am available. If I am without work for a period and there is an offer to work on a feature film, commercial, TV programme albeit in the background, at most often £150 a day I think why not?

In addition to my other work I'm quite happy to be registered with an SA agency. In the countless years I have been registered with them I have been fortunate to be on some wonderful sets and work with incredible people. It is becoming more the norm now that casting directors even want to 'cast' the background, rather than bus in a load of people they may or may not use. For me, this has meant that on more than one occasion I have been sent as an SA, only to end up with a small featured role with a line or two, while it may not be much, it got me into some wonderful opportunities.

So where am I going with this? well, so often I read ''don't put SA/Extra work on your CV as it makes you look unprofessional'' why does it make you look unprofessional?, and that agencies and casting directors won't take you seriously. I can categorically say that that is a load of rubbish!

In my mind,and it is only my opinion and welcome any feedback on this... is this. Surely it is better to work within the industry you choose to at some level, if you have the time sparing. I would rather do SA work than flip burgers, be stuck in a call centre, bar work or be out on the streets flyering a soft drink and handing out samples to miserable people. Now, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong in working in a fast-food joint, call centre or doing promo work, bar work or other, but for me I think that every opportunity to work on a production is a bonus. I have also had SA work lead to other future projects.

It really annoys me that there is still a stigma that if you work as an SA you are 'no good' I've learnt additional tips just by being on a large film shoot. Most recently I was cast for two weeks on a period feature at a great rate which meant not only did I earn a great pay (far exceeding NMW in another industry) I got to dress up in amazing costumes and be on an incredible shoot with a wonderful team.

I'm happy to say that I've worked and still do, as an S.A, and history shows that some of the biggest screen and stage actors today started their careers as extras, S.A's or whatever you want to label them as.

I'm far happier to say I have been involved with a,b,and c, rather than hide it or say ''I haven't worked since...''


  • 12 years ago
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Thanks for this discussion it is one that i have been thinking about for a while now. It has been made even more confusing by some reputable CDs casting 'walk ons' for commercials via spotlight.
I have had 2 experiences being a sa (1 feature film) when I had just finished training - 1 day was so much fun and a huge learning experience, the other was horrific and I came away saying 'never again'.
I am currently contemplating it again - due to pay, being on set, and there being some pretty fabulous UK films going on. Ones that without me having one of the top 5 agents would not get a toe in.
I must admit they will not be placed on the spotlight cv.


  • 9 years ago
  • 61

Interesting mix of views here, I agree that tiny background roles could clog and devalue a CV, your CV short be short and sweet highlighting all your finest work

The snobbery angle is interesting, there's definitely a status thing going on, some actors would never be an SA even if they'd been resting for months and resorted to NMW paying "survival jobs" in service industries, they see it as more dignified serving arrogant Pizza Hut customers than dressing up,as a Tommy and hanging out in a trench all day

I disagree with the notion that SA's are "moving wallpaper" a lot of SA work requires acting skills, if you've ever been a corpse you'll know how just hard it is to act dead

Also as a comic actor who,has studied physical theatre I know you can achieve a great deal with simple facial expressions, a movement, funny walk or exgerrrated physicality, you can make a scene just by walking across it or pulling a face at the right moment


  • 9 years ago
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Jeremy Reece
Actor

I must admit I had a thoroughly enjoyable day recently at Gloucester docks as background in Alice through the looking glass:-)


  • 9 years ago
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As this has been such a long-running discussion I've kept having new thoughts/perspectives on it.

It does seem it's actually several different conversations.

I believe it started with discussion of stigma. That's generated lots of debate. I think that it's lovely that this forum is a place where people can share their experiences and joys and frustrations with the industry.

However, the stigma debate has morphed into how it might aide/harm your career. Which I think is very different.

From people's personal experiences - stories of good work they enjoyed and felt proud of it seems they are addressing feeling it's dismissed by a stigma/blanket prejudice against the work. And wanting to defend their work. Similarly those that have been dismissed and treated badly want to share their feelings and believe it's the wrong path.

These are personal experiences which are not everyone's and are not necessarily The defining standard of the industry. So it actually doesn't answer the next question.

Is it worthwhile/ acting work...? Again that's for everyone's individual choices and experiences to decide for themselves. A lot of very articulate, informed regulars of the forum have posted on this and I think it's very helpful to read their thoughts.

I believe those discussions are very separate from the career aspect ie listing it on your cv which is a choice to announce/advertise/invite interest in it.

If you don't have much else to put on your cv, then perhaps you are showing your desire rather your experience and can present and discuss it as such. If you did feel proud of it, felt it was a worthwhile experience then by putting it on you are choosing to share that with people you're asking to consider you.

So, I believe the question should be that: not - will they think it sounds good but am I proud of this work and if asked would love to explain why.

I've been trying to prune/simplify my cv to include some range and variety and represent more the kind of work I'd like to be doing but be short and easy to read! I still look at certain credits and think how is that helpful as a representation of me as an actor and my work.

I must admit, I've found it harder with CCP as the combination of weeding out credits, time of not working and CCP's required dating of credits leaves extensive time gaps! But if what is on is interesting then you're more likely to get seen and have a chance to say as much...

So, I think I'm trying to address something I've been thinking about a lot recently which is not just on this specific debate:

It is vital to know, understand, research the business you are in but then you have to stop asking what do they want. So many different paths and versions of "getting there" - wherever the where you want to get to is :-). So with this question as with many in this business - shouldn't it come back to: what do I have to offer?


  • 9 years ago
  • 64

I've only done two days of extra work in my life, a feature film and a commercial- I wouldn't dream of putting either on my CV. What's more, I auditioned and obtained a role in the Bollywood feature film, Tezz. Only 8 lines, but still a role. I was credited on IMDB for it but disappointly, when I saw the film, all my dialogue had been cut and my role became uncredited in brackets on IMDB. Consequently, I have removed the credit from my CV and asked IMDB to delete it from my profile.


  • 9 years ago
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Firstly - can someone give Mr. RAVITZ a job as an equity spokesperson or bettering that, his own show? - So eloquently put. And In my humble opinion, correct.

Jenson, you seem to be getting very angry over this - and I would ask you to question where that's Coming from?

I don't think anyone is suggesting doing SA is 'wrong' - whether one does it is a horses for courses affair. Personally I fall into the 'no' camp - going on advice from Guildhall and my agent. If people want to do it instead of ye olde burger flip - fine.

But I think where many of us get a tad pissed off is when SA work is tried to be passed off as a credit. Basically if you don't talk and aren't listed by the imdb as a credited performer, one shouldn't go adding 'bloke in bar' to the list of actors on there.

Not long ago on here there was a forum post on here about a member getting annoyed when with the
'JOE BLOGS APPEARING IN... GAMES OF THRONES'
and how he got angry when you then see they were an extra.
and I thought, "yes! Good on you for being brave enough to write that!'
My thoughts entirely.

The fact is that we all work SO bloody hard to even get an audition for a good TV job or the like. We audition three Times to get into a good drama school (at least I did - and YES before anyone jumps on me I know that that doesn't necessarily mean you are good or that you are bad if you don't train).
So it kinda undermines it for the rest of us when folk appear from nowhere overnight and call themselves an actor by making a cv up out of SA work you know?
Guys, casting directors DO Check thus stuff out, I promise you. They are very aware of when actors are doing this and it doesn't look good. Yes of course I haven't done a survey of ALL CDs just going by the ones I know.

It's kinda like this : I bet 99% of the people posting here are phenomenally talented lovely folk who DESERVE to work consistently. However, life, and the industry, is not like that.
With a similar 'unfair' logic - it does look bad to put SA credits on one's CV. Is that unfair? - yes. But is that the reality?- yes.

Yes I know that may seem snobby Jenson but I'm sorry that's just how I feel. Last month I accused Geoff, my agent of snobbery when he asked me to come off certain casting websites. He's a lovely bloke, but he just turned round & said 'yes it IS snobby but it HAS to be. There are too mang actors - agents and casting directors have to set some standards and bars to get through it - and this is one of them.'

I would like to add that, on set, any actor (by that I mean a person - with lines - cast by the projects MAIN casting director) who talks 'down' to the extras is a complete and utter dick. You are all there to create a story, everyone plays their part on that.
I just Finished a great film where I played a role billed as Party planner' which I had two auditions for. I had about eight lines, three scenes and acted with the films lead. For my party planning 'team' they hired featured artists, two of which wanted to be proffs the other two it was a cash cow money spinner. At first they were a little odd around me, acting as if I was 'higher' than them or more worthy of time with our lovely director - which I booted outta them as soon as I could! We all mucked in together and we all supported our leading lady (who for someone with a profile was as lovely as they come) as best we could, which was our job to do so.

So to sum up SA work cab be great for experience but not for the CV. Definitely not for the 'appearing in' section. I did a promo short once and I gave someone who came to be an extra a line as I was so I impressed by his attitude and commitment (not that I'm some big shot or 'owt!) And I then credited him on the IMDB.


  • 9 years ago
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