You aim to be an actor, but acting jobs are rare and you’ve got to start somewhere. You can be a background artist — a.k.a. a movie extra — by simply signing up with a handful of casting agencies. Background artists earn anywhere from $100 to $300 a day, depending on the production. And all they need to be good at is following directions.
Here are three sites where you can find work as a background artist.
Extras Management
ExtrasManagement is a talent agency that specifically focuses on finding projects for “background artists” — a.k.a. “extras.” Working with dozens of casting agencies in and around Los Angeles, the site asks actors to fill out a detailed profile that includes their availability, willingness to travel and other details that could help them score background jobs. Those other details include your talents — dancing, swimming, golf, etc.; how far you’re willing to drive for work; and your physical characteristics. Read our full review on Extras Management here.
Other casting sites
There are literally dozens of casting sites, including Central Casting and Advanced Casting. These sites enlist background artists for productions that are done all over the country — from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale. There’s no cost to sign up with a casting service. However, some will ask you to appear in person to take headshots and participate in an orientation, so you may want to stick with a service that’s local to your city.
Suggested Options.
Blogging as a side hustle
Larry Ludwig may well be the poster child for why people recommend blogging as a side hustle. He…
Side hustle success stories: Selling on Etsy
Helen Spallas has worn many hats--investigator, janitor, tax preparer --but she didn't make six…
Great holiday gift experiences
Want to give someone something unique this holiday season? Consider holiday gift experiences.
Jobs for military spouses
The typical military family moves every two or three years. And with all that moving around, jobs…
3 Best tutoring sites
The best places to find a tutor are also the sites that are the best places for freelancers to…
Holiday hustles
One-quarter of Americans are looking for a holiday hustle to help defray the high cost of seasonal…
Learn to teach for free
Have a skill? You can make money teaching it online. And this month two of the best teaching…
5 New hustles — good, promising and pretty bad
We've reviewed 5 new hustles this week, which provide good opportunities for designers, notaries…
Strategies to survive inflation
Basic strategies to survive inflation involve spending (or saving) less or earning more. Or, if…
No college? No problem
No college? No problem. A wide array of jobs -- many of them well-paid -- don't require a degree.…