Im going to an extra's casting call in about a week. What should I expect?

[Shya S]

Hi. So first of all, its a "major motion picture". its the sequel to "Flicka". They are looking for those who are comfortable around horses and are good at line dancing. I am 15 years old and have very good experience in both. What should I expect to happen when I go though?

[jazmine]

They will probably line you up with other actors and see if you have the right "look." They may even have you read a skit.
Just a question, how did you get the audition?

[ELDORADO59]

Haha! To the other posters. This is EXTRA WORK!

On an EXTRA casting call, it's usually fill out a stats card (height, weight, age, cell phone number, sizes, etc.), take you photo, and leave. If they think you're the right, they will call you and see if you can work.

Once booked, here's how it usually goes:
-Your call time is usually something early like 6am or earlier.

-Once there, you get a voucher where you fill out your personal information, address to where you want the check mailed to, drivers license info, social security, etc. Then you'll go to background holding.

-Despite getting there really early, you probably won't do anything until 3 hours later, so network with people and get fat off of craft services! You'll meet a whole bunch of different people. We have the aspiring actor/actress, the retired person, the slacker who doesn't want to work a regular job, business owners who do this because they're bored, and ex convicts that can only get a job like this because they don't do background checks.

-3 hours later, you might get chosen to be background for the scene. Usually the 2nd Assistant director or 2nd AD will give you marks and directions. Usually he or she will assign you a starting mark and a final mark. You go when they usually say "background" which is said before "action."

-After a few minutes, it's back to holding where you'll probably wait for another few hours. Once again network and get fat off of the junk food they have for you.

-5-6 hours after your initial call time, they will feed you lunch or dinner.

-After lunch, it's either back to holding or on set. Listen to what the second AD tells you.

-8-12 hours after your call time, you're wrapped and you'll line up and get your voucher signed by the second AD and get your personal copy.

Background work is great for learning set ettiquette and how everything in a film/tv production works. I, however, don't recommend doing this for a long period of time or as a way of building your acting career. One, it gets addicting even after getting three SAG vouchers, you'll still be doing it because you're now used to doing extra work. Two, pay sucks; you're making a little over minimum wage for working all day. Three, you're NOT going to get discovered from doing extra work. Four, if you get an agent, you have to stop. What if you get an audition notice for a SAG National commercial that can pay you $30,000 and residuals but you can't take it because you're "stuck on set?"