I'm a film and TV extra, AMA

[FilmExtra]

Just that. Happy to answer any questions, as far as I can.

@SaskiaRembrandt

I've often wondered about people in the background talking to each other - like if they're sitting at a table in a restaurant - what do they talk about? I'm guessing you have to make it look like a natural conversation, but are you actually talking or just pretending to?

Well it depends on how they're shooting, but if it was a restaurant scene where you were at a table with someone then yes you might be asked to chat naturally.

I have no difficulty in talking the hind legs off a donkey and it's easy - talk about holidays, weather, traffic on the way there, kids, jobs, the plot of Eastenders - any small talk.

I was once in a scene with an Eastern European extra who spoke little to no English, that was a challenge, and super boring as you couldn't even chat between takes. The best ones are crowd scenes or scenes in larger groups, there's always someone to talk to. And most people are really nice.

My dad did it soo many years ago it's changed since then! It's a flat rate now

I did causality once when I was at a performing arts college
Me and my friend being the wanna be actresses we were, hammed it up so much and ad libbed... they kept it in 😂
We had to separately record it and everything!

I should have asked for more money 🙈

What's the weirdest direction or thing you've been asked to do? I was asked to kiss some other random extra passionately in the background of a speakeasy scene. I was so embarrassed - not that anyone was watching us at all haha, they were watching the "talent"

Nothing particularly weird - yet. The registration for the agency did ask whether I'd be willing to go topless or do full frontal and the answer was a firm no. Nobody needs to see that.

• casualty 🙈

Has any famous person stood out particularly- eg seemed rude, or good looking on screen but ot so much in person?

Also meant to add on the "chatting to each other" thing - currently a lot of productions are looking for household groups to work together, so for that sort of scene in a restaurant they would be putting family groups together, or couples. Obviously easier to chat to someone you know, even if it's just about whose turn it is to put the dishwasher on when you get home.

I have no difficulty in talking the hind legs off a donkey and it's easy - talk about holidays, weather, traffic on the way there, kids, jobs, the plot of Eastenders - any small talk.

While you were just giving an example, I'm now going to wonder how many extras in Eastenders are sat there chatting about the show itself!

Did this once. Was annoyed they cut 1 of my 2 scenes...

Thinking about the weird stuff - it's more doing things at odd times. Pretending it's Christmas and you're freezing in the middle of a roasting hot summer. Or pretending it's a balmy day in the Carolinas when you're freezing your bits off in February in Scotland. Or pitching up at 8am, getting straight into your posh gear and into a cocktail party scene before you've even had breakfast.

@SaskiaRembrandt

I've often wondered about people in the background talking to each other - like if they're sitting at a table in a restaurant - what do they talk about? I'm guessing you have to make it look like a natural conversation, but are you actually talking or just pretending to?

This might sound weird but I actually enjoy watching the people in the background in TV and films. I often make a point of it rather than focusing on the main actors.

Wondering now if I have ever watched OP or anyone else on this thread who's been an extra.

FilmExtra Thank you for your responses! You have answered a question that has been perplexing me for years

LApprentiSorcier I do that too! I then invent backstories for them.

I did this a few times when I was studying. One of the things I did that I always notice now is a part scene. We had to dance to no music so they could record the dialogue between the characters. They put on the music so we could get the beat, then stopped the music but we carried on dancing!

Party scene I mean!

Omg I used to do this whilst I was freelancing something else 10 yr ago.

There were some really annoying Ricky gervais on extras type people but also nice friendly people I still speak to.

Yes if you can get yourself saying a word or takign something from an actor or doing a "thing" you get more money.

I found as an early 20s woman there was a lot of demand for natural non highlighted hair for period stuff so I was very busy