Life as a Film and TV Extra – my first job

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I’ve been a member of an extras agency for a number of years but I’ve never had the time to be able to commit to it before. I’ve always acted in school and in recent years in amateur dramatics. This year I’ve been lucky enough to be cast in two feature films that will be out next year. I’m going to tell you all about my first proper experience as a film extra, and how you can do it too. I had one experience in my early 20s where I was an extra in a pop video for a German band (I never did hear any more from them!), but that’s where it ended, until now.

I get texts every now and then from the extras agency I’m with, Universal Extras. You pay a small fee (£25) to sign up and you need to have a head shot and full length shot – these don’t have to be professional. When I joined it was £10. There is a jobs board on their website where you can apply for relevant jobs. They are based on age, sex and appearance. You also get contacted via text to check your availability on jobs they think you’ll be suitable for. Because I have medical experience I got chosen for a nurse role. I was to attend a fitting at Warner Brothers studio near London.

Once I arrived I had to sign in and give up my phone, they are very strict, so I wasn’t able to take any photos. I got picked up by a van and driven off, which was quite scary. They pulled up at a large hangar and I was told to go in and wait. I waited about 3 minutes before someone came, there were people driving around in golf buggys and riding bikes to get around the large studios. Once in the fitting room, it was a huge warehouse with rows and rows of costumes – riders, paramedics, basketball players, there were all sorts. There were ladies sat at sewing machines and tented cubicles.

I was given large shopping bags with my name and number on and ‘nurse’ written on the tags. They measured my height, head, neck, bust, waist, hips and shoe size. I was then given some scrubs and a cardigan to try on and some white socks and shoes. They pinned up the trouser legs (I’m short) and then myself and a couple of others went round to another building where hair and make up were.

They didn’t put any make up on me, just put my hair in a plait and pinned it into a bun. We had our photographs taken from the front and side on with our numbers, criminal style! I wasn’t sure whether to smile or not – I did in the end.

We trooped back to the costume warehouse and got changed, putting our costumes in the bags provided. On the tags were now written our measurements. It reminded me of the refugee children from the 2nd world war when they were evacuated.

On the day of filming we had a very early call, 06.30. The studios are about 1.5 hours drive from me, and it’s where Harry Potter was filmed. It was very exciting. I signed in and there were a lot more people. We got bussed round to a big marquee and there was breakfast – a full cooked breakfast and loads of tea, perfect. I chatted to some of the other extras and we waited. Pretty soon they called us in to get changed. I had my hair done and did my own make up, very plain.

More waiting, then we were walked round to a bus where we all sat down, it felt like a band’s tour bus, with tables and two levels. There was a separate toilet portacabin. The assistant director came in and chose a few of the nurses including me to follow him. There were also some people in normal clothes and some as patients. We were led through another vast warehouse where I could see elaborate scene set ups and green screens.

The scene we were filming was inside an intensive care unit, which had been recreated inside the warehouse. It looked the part, and it was set as if it was night time. My job was to hold a clipboard and walk through the scene on cue. I was nervous, but ‘acted’ confident. I had to walk down the fake ward, then out to the cameras and director. We filmed the scene several times and then took a break. They filmed some without me, so I’ve no idea if I’ll even be in it! By lunchtime, they’d finished with us, there were some people who’d stayed on the bus the whole time. You still get paid even if they don’t use you, but it’s not as fun.

Getting work as an extra

You don’t need to be a member of any acting union to be an extra, but if you’re serious about taking it further, you might want to join Spotlight – there is a £150 fee though. I’m not a member yet, but I’d like to be one day. There are a few extras agencies, just be wary of paying out for photos or joining fees, they shouldn’t be more than a small admin fee if anything. You need to be available, especially at short notice. If you live near London and have your own transport, that’s an advantage, but there are opportunities all over the country too. There’s a lot of waiting around – it is fun and exciting but take a book or something to write with for the down time.

Next time I’ll tell you all about my second film shoot on location in a hospital. Have you ever been on TV or in a film?  I’d love to hear your experiences.

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