Extra (acting)

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Extra background or actor is a player in a movie, television, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, which appears in nonspeaking or nonsinging capacity, usually in the background rear (for example, in an audience or busy street scene). War films and epic films often use large background actors: some films have featured hundreds or even thousands of background actors paid as cast members (hence the term "thousands of cast"). Likewise, grand operas can involve many background actors who appear in spectacular production.

In movies or TVs, background actors are usually referred to as "atmosphere", "background talent", "background player", "background artist", "cast member" or "background", while the term "extra" rarely used. In stage production, the background actors are usually referred to as "supernumeraries". In operas and ballets, they are called "extras" or "supers".

Video Extra (acting)

Casting

Casting criteria for background actors depends on production. It is said that the casters often need little or no acting experience. This is not entirely true, because all kinds of unrealistic portrayals must include some form of imagination and acting. Timeliness, reliability, and the ability to take direction are also prominent for these cast members. The background actors are often chosen in a short period of time, after all the other preparations for filming have been completed.

Some casting agents only specialize in background work, while in the UK the Contact directory is published annually by the Spotlight list of all accredited agencies and productions. Some agencies charge a registration fee, and some (mostly commercial background casting) will take between 10% and 15% commission from each job ordered. Artists may need to provide a one-page A4 size CV/resume, stating basic personal details and dimensions, any significant skills (such as stage battles), and include two 8x10 inches photos behind: one shot; one full body shot.

When recruiting background actors, casting directors generally seek out those with certain "views", such as "high school students" or "affluent senior citizens," who are consistent with the context of the film. Casting director can also search for background actors with special skills for scenes, such as roller skates, or dancing. Background actors are often expected to bring their own clothes to the set, although there are also "fixtures" for certain scenes or periods. A casting director may prefer someone who already has the required costume or prop, like a police uniform, or a musical instrument. On other occasions, where the costume has been prepared (for example, to adapt other actors that are not currently available), background actors can be selected as "double costumes" simply because they are the right size to customize them. In smaller productions or student films, background actors can be hired en masse with little formality.

The duration of the work of the background actors on production depends largely on the needs of the director and the scenes being filmed. Some background actors are required on set for just one or two days, while others may stick with the movie for long periods of time. For example, in the James Cameron film Titanic , a group of 150 "core background actors" were hired to play ship passengers, and were employed during the filming.

Maps Extra (acting)

Work and salary conditions

United Kingdom

In the UK, the difference between actors and extras is determined by the agreement between union actors Cinematography Broadcasting and Theater Union (BECTU) and Equality, and various commercial trade and production agencies. It states that once a player says 13 or more words in any scene, they must be the contracted actor in the production. The minimum wage rate is determined by the UK Government's minimum wage regulations, and both BECTU and Equity have agreed tariffs with each agency. However, even on non-union production, the additional payment is the approved day rate for ten hours of production time. All players under an agreement with BECTU/Equity are paid royalties in progress. Therefore in many advertisements, which are often displayed several times and distributed internationally, while the additional is paid at the contracted daily rate, the largest payments are nominally due to the ongoing royalties. Due to the complex calculations of various international performances, players under union-managed agreements are often purchased from their advertising royalties with a one-time payment.

United States

In the United States, most film and television production are used to be under the jurisdiction of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) or AFTRA. Both unions have merged into SAG-AFTRA.

SAG signatory manufacturers are allowed to recruit non-union background actors after a certain number of SAG players are cast; non-union background actors are usually paid at minimum wage. In production outside of the union's jurisdiction, payments to background actors are at the discretion of the producers, and range from the scale of the trade union to the "copy and credit" (ie, no payment). Producers who do not pay their perpetrators may violate state and federal laws about minimum wages for a job.

Between 1946 and 1992, background actors in movies and television were largely represented by the Screen Extras Guild. SEG was dissolved on June 1, 1992 and transferred its jurisdiction to SAG.

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In popular culture

The silent film The Extra Girl (1923) describes a small town girl who came to Hollywood and became a background actor in her quest for fame.

The television situation comedy Extra follows the exploits of two professional background actors, Andy and Maggie. They spend most of their time on sets looking for a talking and girlfriend role, respectively.

The China-Hong Kong film I Am Somebody (2015) is about the extra work at Hengdian World Studios.

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See also

• Backdrop
• The bit part
• Central Casting
• Character actor
• Supporting actors
• Five-Bottom

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References

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External links

• "Very helpful", Sam Delaney, The Guardian , April 2, 2005

Source of the article : Wikipedia