If you are looking to earn some extra money, want to find something fun or different to do, want to see what it’s like on set or interested in acting – being an extra can be a great option. Also a great way to learn about all of the other neat jobs there are on sets too.
This is a paying gig for the most part, and there are quite a few legitimate companies in Winnipeg to sign up with for that.
You can either reply to a facebook posting for a specific movie or tv show or you can put your name in with an agency. They can keep your picture, details and all that on file and contact you if you’re a good fit.
Pay really varies too, but it’s very reasonable and can include things like meals, snacks etc. There are a surprising amount of tv shows and movies filmed here – quite a bit of opportunity.
Children who are extras need to have a parent there at all times so keep that in mind too. Sometimes you can even find it for an entire family or group. There’s always spots for all ages, race, hair colour, height etc. Sometimes they even look for someone with a specific height or hair cut or colour to stand in for the actual actor. They can ask you to do your hair or look in a certain way – or they might supply you with hair or makeup depending on the set.
I am no expert in this of course but have taken my daughter to a few and have followed the scene for several years. A lot of local people do this as their actual job or a big part of their side jobs. They have full wardrobes to meet all kinds of possible needs etc.
If you are wanting to apply, here are a few I know of – Next Casting, Kari Casting, MadLib Casting, Winnipeg Casting facebook group, Extras Casting Group Winnipeg.
Make sure any job you apply for is real and be aware of fraud etc. – and be safe out there of course and all that.
From our personal experience – what you do can really vary. From being more of a very random background extra, to more of a focused extra – and also they do pick people from extras sometimes to move up to bigger parts so keep that in mind too.
When you apply send in some great pictures – no need to get professional ones done but just dress plainly with exact clear shots they ask for. Usually things like full body, a headshot etc. You’ll need all of your measurements too, so if you plan on doing it get those all ready so you can be quick to apply.
Plan on long days also, can be just a lot of sitting around and waiting for a few minutes of filming, or a full day of filming just sitting in the background. Often it’s outdoors too. Bring along a lot of quiet things to do, especially if you’re there as a parent.
The pay can really vary – for one example my daughter wanted to buy a Nintendo Switch – one small role which took us one hour of clothing fitting and a full day of sitting around with a few minutes of filming and her a blur in the end result more than paid for that for her. As a mom it was enough work, I got the period specific hair do they asked for completely wrong – and a full day of waiting around for me also. But definitely worth it for her, and the total experience of it.
Make sure to read the ads carefully and make sure you’re a good fit – often they ask for plain outdoor clothing, period specific items or looks – like no piercings or dyed hair. It can really vary, so don’t get discouraged if you’re not a fit for the first few you see. Having some costumes or extra clothing for it is a big help too.
For those who have been extras often in Winnipeg – what are your best tips, advice etc?