The 13 Commandments of Being a Background Actor

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After my backup strategy for my backup strategy fell apart, I found myself in an unexpected realm – the land of extras. I stepped into the role of an unscripted actor, no prior experience needed. I portrayed various characters, from a spooky nun to a Hasidic Jew, even John Early, albeit from the back with a bald spot carved into my head. It was like getting a crash course in filmmaking at a bargain price. I got a firsthand look at the production process and jotted down countless insights. Here, in no specific order, are my 13 Commandments for Being an Extra:

1. Thou shalt arrive early and prepared.
2. Thou shalt be patient and flexible.
3. Thou shalt blend with thy surroundings.
4. Thou shalt keep silent when spoken to by the director.
5. Thou shalt not draw attention to thyself.
6. Thou shalt follow instructions carefully.
7. Thou shalt dress appropriately for the scene.
8. Thou shalt treat fellow extras with kindness and respect.
9. Thou shalt avoid distractions during filming.
10. Thou shalt be open to constructive criticism.
11. Thou shalt learn from every experience.
12. Thou shalt maintain a positive attitude.
13. Thou shalt cherish the memories of this unique journey.

Heed these commandments wisely before embarking on your own adventure in extra land.

It’s generally advised not to engage with main cast members unless they initiate the conversation. During filming, we don’t want anyone like Bob Wiley-type characters disrupting actors while they are concentrating. However, it’s not unusual for principals to interact with extras. The memory that stands out to me was just before “action” at Strand Books in the West Village, Amanda Peet looked at me and let out a peculiar sound – not a burp. I can only guess this was part of her character preparation. (For the record, I’d be thrilled if it were an actual Amanda Peet burp. She’s a delightful goofball, in the best possible way.) As for chatting with other background actors, it’s permissible, but exercise caution. Some might be more like Travis Bickle than Bob Wiley.

When the camera is recording, please maintain silence. Your role doesn’t include dialogue; any conversation is essentially part of the silent acting or ambient sounds. If you happen to whisper something as part of a group, it’s known as “omni” sound, which doesn’t typically lead to day player status and a pay raise. It’s unusual for background actors to get speaking roles, but it does occur occasionally. For instance, Donnie Wahlberg, a strong advocate for background actors, was thrilled when a background actor got lines on “Blue Bloods”.

Instead of Being Given a Number, You’d Prefer to Be Known by Your Name: When you arrive, you’re given a number instead of your name. It’s just a system to keep things organized in high-pressure, time-constrained situations. But Pete Holmes, what a great guy, suggested at a Brooklyn studio that it would be more human if there was another way. He’s a thoughtful person. After filming sessions, I can’t recall my number for long, but the one that sticks with me is “69.” For over thirteen hours, the team of The Leftovers knew me by this number.

STAY PATIENT. As you’ll likely find yourself waiting quite a bit, remember to pack a phone charger and some reading material. For instance, I once spent an entire Sunday in holding, a church, engrossed in the whole first season of Serial. When it was time for filming, which was right next to the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, Priyanka Chopra warmly welcomed me and my fellow actors. She beamed broadly and extended her arms as if we were reunited friends, almost like Dorothy’s companions from Oz.

Steer clear of bread and limit overall calorie intake. The camera tends to favor slimmer figures, even when they’re in the background and slightly out of focus. However, resisting the temptation at the catering table can be challenging, especially during an Adam Sandler production. Sandman has a soft spot for cookies and ice cream, and he enjoys saying “Timothée Sha-la-mayyyy!” just as much.

Good morning hours often mark the call time, especially during the week’s initial days. However, Thursdays and Fridays usually begin later. My 4:45 a.m. reporting time was for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. For period productions, early arrival is crucial for wardrobe, hair, and makeup preparations.

AVOID SETTING UP POST-WORK ENGAGEMENTS. This is because you can’t predict when your workday will finish. Typically, a workday lasts around 12 hours, but it can be shorter for procedurals and longer for more artistic productions like Maisel, which might sometimes go beyond 16 or even 18 hours. If the production runs just one second over the 16-hour mark, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members receive an extra day’s pay due to what is called the “Golden Hour.” (I received three such payments for my 18-hour day.) It’s not easy to reach this Golden Hour, and if productions think it might happen, they’ll try to finish the day using non-union background actors who are ineligible for Golden Hour pay.

Inevitably, unfortunate haircuts may occur. Period dramas such as The Irishman will style your hair appropriately for the era. Members of SAG are given a slight pay increase for this. On rare occasions, productions require more than just a haircut – much more. In my case, I was chosen to stand in as a bald spot double for John Early. To be clear, I didn’t want to lose my own hair. Although I may not possess John Slattery’s stunning silver dome, I do have hair and I wasn’t keen on altering it. After the casting team made certain assurances – which, as expected, were not fulfilled – I reluctantly underwent the bald spot procedure. “You’re doing a commendable job!” Early excitedly complimented me in the hair and makeup trailer.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF RESTROOMS. When working on a film set, finding a restroom can sometimes be a challenge. Production teams often provide portable toilets, known as “honey wagons,” but locating them may require some detective work like Matthew McConaughey in True Detective. Shooting scenes in subway systems can make this even more difficult. During the filming of Joker, as a subway passenger, I didn’t receive the required breaks according to SAG regulations, and some background actors reportedly relieved themselves between cars. After an investigation and numerous complaints, I was compensated with an extra day’s pay for enduring this situation.

BEWARE OF UNKNOWN TERRITORY. In the world of film production, information is often kept on a strict need-to-know basis. This extends to the title of the production itself, which may be a pseudonym. The script and daily schedule (breakdown) are not always shared with background actors, even if they’re pinned up somewhere. Crew members seem to prefer that background actors don’t know about these details. Temporary Production Assistants (PAs) might not be familiar with the show either, and location destinations are often kept secret when traveling to set by bus.

SLEEP AT YOUR OWN RISK. If you decide to catch some sleep during downtime, expect it to be on the floor in holding or an uncomfortable spot elsewhere. During a late-night shoot for Broad City, I tried to sleep sitting up on a moving subway, which was serving as “satellite holding.” During a grueling three-day shoot for Billions (with days stretching over 15 hours), a colleague found a couch in a nearby hotel lobby and dozed off instead of making the long commute back home. She was eventually asked to leave.

Steer clear of arrogant stunt performers. Even though they might be basking in the limelight following an Academy award, don’t count on socializing with these self-styled “cowboys” from production. In my experience, most of them are as cliquey as the Mean Girls. One stuntman on New Amsterdam was told to act out with me but flatly refused.

As a dedicated fan, I always strive to maintain a professional demeanor, even when the mood strikes otherwise. Punctuality is key, as is adhering to instructions given. Cameras might be pointed at me, but unless directed, I’ll keep my eyes away. Cleanliness is crucial, especially in undergarments for fittings; undershirts are often preferred by wardrobe teams. If supplying my own clothes, they should be unsullied, wrinkle-free, and in a subdued color. I am part of the background, and I aim to stay that way. Lastly, it’s wise to carry a toothbrush and toothpaste to set, ensuring any acting comes across fresh and clean.

Jon Hart penned the unanticipated follow-up titled “Unfortunately, I Was Available,” which is a continuation of the popular sports memoir “Man vs. Ball: One Man’s Unusual Sports Journey.

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2025-06-03 22:25