21 Oct Extra Work for Child Actors
Should child actors do extra/background work?
Under certain circumstances, I recommend child actors do extra work. Particularly, if your child actor has never been on a film set.
What is extra work or background work?
A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show production, who appears in a nonspeaking capacity, usually in the background (for example, in an audience or busy street scene). Extras are essential to make the scene come alive and support the story line. Extras do not get paid residuals.
Gain Experience
Without a doubt you and your child actor will gain first hand knowledge of set life. It’s great to learn the rhythm of the set and how a professional film set operates. Terms, like “rolling, speed, background, and action…cut… school!” will become familiar. Do you know who eats first? And How to act when not acting.
Education for Extras
Speaking of school. The set provides a Studio Teacher slash social worker to make sure all child actors are doing their school work. 3 Hours of school is required on all film sets. How wonderful you do not have to worry about your child actor’s education. He will get it right on the set. Whether you are shooting in a sound stage or on location.
Become a Professional
Get paid and then your child actor will be considered a professional. Further more, he will have to; wait patiently, listen intently, be a team player, be disciplined, and above all take direction well. These are life skills that will transfer over and be used in his everyday life. Consequently, he will do better in school and in his social relationships. Not to mention more personal success.
Upgrade to Principle
Extras can be upgraded to principle. I have seen this happen many times. When the director asks an extra to audibly say a word, he will be upgraded to a principle actor and get paid SAG/AFTRA union wages. Moreover, his name will be on the ending credits and he will earn residuals.
3 SAG/AFTRA Union Vouchers
Did you know its great if you are non-union and are given a SAG/AFTRA union voucher? Not only will you get paid more as a union extra, but also when you get a total of 3 union vouchers on any union production, you are eligible to join the union.
Overexposed
Be sure to only do extra work once in awhile. Do not work on the same show more than a couple of times. This will ensure you are not over exposed. You want to be able to audition for any given show as a principle, with out casting recognizing you as an extra.
Good luck out there!
Ms. Mae Ross
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