If you've ever wondered what it takes to be cast as an extra in a movie or TV show, the process is simple and a great way to make some extra cash.
Narcity spoke with a Toronto background casting director who shared the details of what the casting process looks like and how anyone, even those with no prior experience, can apply to be an extra in a show or film.
"I think the biggest thing is that people shouldn't be intimidated by it," Zameret Kleiman said.
Kleiman says she's been in the business for 25 years and has worked on films like You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, Shazam!, and Suicide Squad. She's currently casting for extras for a new Netflix film called Frankenstein, which is being directed by Guillermo del Toro.
Kleiman encourages anyone who enjoys being around other people, wants to simply try something new or is interested in the whole casting and film process to apply to be an extra.
"There are people who do this full-time and there are people who do this [part-time]. It's a great way of supplementing [income] especially if you do have part-time work or a student who has some free time; these commitments are only per job," she told Narcity.
"One of the nice things about it is you can really try it and see if you like it. It's not a big commitment. Once you commit, you fulfill your initial commitment and then you can decide from there if you ever want to do it again."
Here's everything you need to know about how to find casting calls, what the application process looks like and how much it pays.
How do I find a casting call for a TV show or film?
Couple of actors reading scripts.
Innovatedcaptures | Dreamstime
According to Kleiman, the best way to find casting calls in Toronto is to go to the ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) website.
ACTRA Toronto lists out all of the productions that are currently underway or ones that are starting soon.
If the production is looking for background actors, a background casting director will be listed. Once you have that name, it's pretty easy to Google their contact information or Facebook page where they may have the casting call details listed.
ACTRA has similar pages for "What's Shooting" in other Canadian cities as well if you want to find work in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, etc.
It also has more information on what background work in TV and films involves.
What does the application process for an extra look like?
Once you apply to a casting call, Kleiman says typically you'll only hear back if you land the role.
"We will reach out via email and notify them and [...] give them a much more detailed description of the booking, including things like the shoot dates and confirm the rate of pay," the Toronto casting director explained.
If the application asks specific questions like whether a person is willing to cut their hair (or something along those lines), the follow-up booking email may give additional notes like asking that person not to cut their hair until the shoot dates so production can alter it according to the period the film is set in.
Kleiman also highlights that casting directors don't want professional photos when they're casting extras, because they want to see what the person would "really look like if they were standing in front of you."
"If you want to try to be a background performer, just take a picture with your phone," she explained.
"No filters, no professional photos, no modelling shots [...] you don't need to make any kind of investment."
Do you need previous acting experience to be an extra?
Two people behind a camera on a film set.
Biserko | Dreamstime
A lot of the background roles don't require any previous acting experience. That information will also be listed on the casting call itself.
So if you're interested in being a background actor and see an opening, give it a shot even if you have never done it before!
Do you need an agent to apply to be an extra?
You don't need an agent to apply to be a film extra, especially if you're trying it out for the first time.
However, Kleiman recommends getting a background agent if you plan on doing this type of work consistently because a lot of performers are hired this way.
"In Toronto, most performers are hired through agents. Agents are paid by charging a commission," Kleiman said.
She says in certain circumstances a background casting director will hire directly through an open casting call.
"The outreach creates a lot more work for us. We just do it when we don't have another alternative because we have a very specific look to cast."
Do you get paid to be an extra in a film or TV show?
Kleiman says the productions she works on always pay the extras they hire.
"If it falls under ACTRA's jurisdiction, performers are going to get paid and non-union performers will get paid $16.55 per hour and the ACTRA performers will get paid as per the IPA (Independence Production Agreement)."
If you're interested in joining ACTRA, you can find the information on how to do so on the ACTRA website. Membership is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Is there something you can do to stand out on your application?
Kleiman says the most important thing when it comes to the casting application is to follow the instructions and to complete it as accurately as possible.
"Provide photos that are truly current, ideally all taken on the same day, especially for a period piece," Kleiman said.
"If you're interested in doing background work on a more consistent basis, then you definitely want to become familiar with your sizes, because particularly for period pieces, we're limited by costumes, whatever is available by wardrobe."
If you're unsure of what your sizes are, you could go to a tailor to find that out.
"At the end of the day background work is primarily based on a look [...] it tells us a lot if somebody has taken the time to do the [application] properly." She added that following instructions "gives you the best shot" at landing a background role.
Are there any open casting calls in Toronto?
The ACTRA "What's Shooting" page currently lists several productions that have begun filming or about to get started, including the popular Netflix series Ginny and Georgia.
Kleiman is also currently casting for a Netflix film called Frankenstein.
The Guillermo del Toro-directed film stars Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac and Christoph Waltz.
Filming will take place from March to June 2024 in Toronto and surrounding areas.
No previous acting experience is required for any of these roles and each one will come with a paycheque.
Anyone interested in applying can find the application link here.
Kleiman says there is no closing date on the casting call and it will close once they find the background actors they need.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
