When working on a movie as an extra, your job is to make the scene look real and enhance the environment. You may get to play many different roles, so be the best (insert role here) you can be.

The people you’ll be working with may include:

Extras Assistant or Extras Wrangler- He/She will get you checked in and take you to and from the set. He/She is your person of contact, but remember there are many of you and only one of them.

PA (Production Assistant) - This person will meet you on set and place you in position. He/She may direct you to do some action to do during the scene- listen carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand. There may be more than one person doing this job.

Wardrobe and Makeup- Wardrobe will be checking your wardrobe and may ask you to change if your clothing is not appropriate. Makeup may look at you if you are featured.

1^st AD & 2^nd AD (Assistant Director)-These people are ultimately in charge of the entire set and the PAs. The 1^st AD will be the one calling out when we get ready to roll film.

When you are not on set, there will be an area where you’ll wait for your scene(s) called a holding area. If you need to leave for a bathroom break, let the extras assistant know where you’re going in case he/she needs to find you to go to set. You don’t want to miss your scene.

Terms used by 1^st AD when getting ready to film:

“Stand by for Rehearsal”                       “Stand by for picture”                    “Settle In”                                                 “Picture’s up”                                                  “Rolling”

PAs will repeat these calls and ask for quiet. These are your cures for silence because filming is about to start. There are variations, but they all mean the same thing- it must be absolutely quiet on the set.

GUIDANCE FOR PREPARATION FOR BEING ON SET

• CALLTIME: the time you are expected to be on set. Your agent and only your agent will give you your call time.  Do not call the casting director for your call time.  Call your agent.
• Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early.
• Report to the specific place you are asked to report to.  If you are whisked away to a different location by Production Assistants,  insist on reporting to the Extras Wrangler so that you can be signed in. We do not know you are on set if you do not report into the Extras Wrangler.
• Bring the wardrobe you are asked to bring: usually 3 options, no logos on clothing. 
• When asked to wear a particular outfit – wear it.
• Bring a working pen, so that you can complete your EXTRAS VOUCHER.  Your extras voucher is your wage for the day. No voucher, no payment.
• When you have completed your voucher HOLD ON TO IT. You may be asked to give it up (collateral) in exchange for a piece of wardrobe or  a prop that is to be used on set.
• Do not feel that you have to initiate any action.  Listen and respond to direction/information appropriately.
• A film set is a dynamic and ever evolving space. Please listen to information that is given to you and be ready to respond appropriately.
• Expect to be on set for 10 hours.  Please refrain from asking the Wrangler when the shooting day is going to end.
• Please give actors, director, casting directors, their space.  They are working.  Do be courteous and friendly if they approach you but do not approach them or engage them in conversation.
• LISTEN first.  Act later. Not the other way around.
• We will always feed and water you on set but please note your priority is not food when  you first arrive. Your priority is to “work” on “the movie”. 
• The movie set is our working space. Imagine an office/factory/working environment.  That’s what a movie set is to us.  We understand it feels/seems glamorous but  please know that the crew may have been working 14-20 hours and are focused on their job and on the needs of the director.   Please let them do their job and we ask that you do yours.

Have fun! There are other people being extras just like you- here’s a chance to make new friends. We appreciate you wanting to work with us and hope you have a good time. THANK YOU!!

• Face Lotion
• Cream Foundation Base that matches Skin Tone
• Lose Powder in Translucent
• Make-Up Sponges
• Chocolate Brown Eyeliner
• Nude Lip liner
• Nude Colored Blush with brush
• Nude Colored Lipstick
• Make-up Removal Wipes

Directions

1. Start with applying a good Face Lotion to face and neck.

2. Apply base with sponge over entire face blending over neck.

3. Lightly Line Eyes with Chocolate Brown Eyeliner to accentuate.

4. Lightly Line Lips with Nude Lip liner

5. Fill in Lips with Nude colored lipstick or liner

6. Lightly Brush jaw line with Nude Colored Blush

7. Lightly Powder Face

Tips

• The key is to not look washed out, but natural under the lights– Over done make-up will look “clown like” in this size venue
• Keep in mind you are men. You do NOT want to look like you have make-up on.
• Do NOT share your make-up especially lip or eye products. Infections can be transmitted!!!
• Keeping your make-up in your own bag or container clearly labeled will help you keep track of everything.
• Label your make-up with a piece of masking tape & pen.
• Test your make-up several days before on jaw line for potential allergies.

• Face Lotion
• Cream Foundation Base that matches Skin Tone
• Lose Powder in Translucent
• Make-Up Sponges
• Chocolate Brown Eyeliner
• Nude Lip liner
• Peach or Rose Colored Blush with brush
• Peach or Rose Colored Lipstick
• Make-up Removal Wipes

Directions

1. Start with applying a good Face Lotion to face and neck.

2. Apply base with sponge over entire face blending over neck.

3. Lightly Line Eyes with Chocolate Brown Eyeliner to accentuate.

4. Lightly Line Lips with Nude Lip liner

5. Fill in Lips with Peach or Rose colored lipstick

6. Lightly Brush jaw line with Peach or Rose Colored Blush

7. Lightly Powder Face

Tips 

• The key is to not look washed out, but naturally beautiful under the lights– Over done make-up will look “clown like” in this size venue
• Do NOT share your make-up especially lip or eye products. Infections can be transmitted!!!
• Keeping your make-up in your own bag or container clearly labeled will help you keep track of everything.
• Label your make-up with a piece of masking tape & pen.
• Test your make-up several days before on jaw line for potential allergies.

The following may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised from my side of the casting table how often these basics are overlooked.

A Be Animated! Use your Eyes, Voice, & Face to Act out your song! Several years ago a Miss America canidate sang “Stormy Weather”. The entire song was with a plastered smile on her face! “Don’t know why there’s no sun up in the sky” and she’s smiling. Needless to say, she did not win. Act appropriate to the song you are singing.

U Be Unique! Don’t choose a popular song! Choose something Different! Every director has a list of songs they can not stand hearing due to their popularity. Ask a director, they will gladly share their list. Don’t be the 30th auditioner to sing “Tomorrow”. No matter how brilliant you are, it’s difficult to like an auditioner that has repeated an over done song.

D Dress Up! Wear something you can dance in! Feel Pretty or Handsome! Dressing up shows a level of respect for the audition process. This is truly a job interview. Would you interview for a job with your hair in a sloppy bun, jeans, and a sweatshirt. Wear something that shows you off at your best. Always wear something you can move in to Musical Theatre auditions. Too many make the mistake of bringing a change of clothes for dance auditions. Plan ahead to dance. Never make someone wait on you while you change.

I  Be Informed! Learn about the play! Know who the characters are! As a director, it always shocks me how many people show up to an audition without doing their research. It takes a few moments to google the play and find the break down of characters, a snyopsis, etc. Come to an audition with your homework done. It gives you a leg up on those who didn’t.

T Be on Time! Always be 15 minutes early! On time in theatre= EARLY! Schedule your time wisely. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the audtion location. If you’ve never been there, drive the route a day early or give yourself time to be lost. Don’t have your first impression be that of tardiness.

I  Get Over IT! Everyone makes mistakes! Just keep going! Don’t get upset! Nerves are expected! Show your ability to be graceful under pressure. Nothing sours an audition more than someone who simply gives up after the first wobble. Show that you can keep going no matter what. We love the ice skater who gets back on her feet to finish a routine.

O Be Onstage! Treat an audition as a performance! An audition is your opportunity to perform! Show a performance level audition.

N Be Nice! Be polite to everyone! Say Please & Thank you! Be polite to everyone you interact with in audition. As a director, I love to place someone of importance in a menial job on audition night. There job is to tell me who is not kind to everyone and rude to other auditioners. You are being watched at auditions from the moment you step out of your car whether you realize it or not!

T Be Teachable! Follow Direction from the Artistic Team! Learn something! Often I will ask someone to try something different just to see how they respond. Do not argue! Do not assume that we are questioning your character development. Go with the flow and demonstrate that you are teachable.

I  Use your Imagination! Get over the butterflies by pretending! Your imagination can be one of the greatest tools for getting over those audition gitters.

P Prepare! Practice Makes Perfect! The more you practice the more confident you will be with your audition.

S Smile! Have Fun! Show off your pearly whites! Introduce yourself with a smile. The introduction is your moment to shine!

Break a Leg!

Ask Questions- As many as you can think of!

• · Who?
• · What?
• · When?
• · Where?
• · Why?
• · How?

Answer your Questions

• Use the script for clues
• Use your imagination

Ask & Answer as many questions as you can think of. The more questions you answer. The more you have to work with. Character development is based on finding & creating as many answers about your character as you can. The more you know. The more your character will come to life.

• Pencils
• Erasers
• Pencil Sharpener
• Sewing Kit w/ Needle & Thread
• Scissors
• Scotch Tape
• Safety Pins
• Paper Clips
• Clips in Various Sizes
• Masking Tape
• Glow Tape
• Stop Watch
• Digital Camera
• Flashlight
• Hair Bobby Pins
• Elastic Hair Ties
• Tailor’s Measuring Tape
• 50’ Measuring Tape
• Compact Hole Punch
• Stapler
• Staples
• Compact 3 Hole Punch
• Post-It’s, various sizes
• Rubber Cement
• Glue Stick
• Rubber Bands
• Nail  File
• First Aid Kit
• Aspirin or Tylenol
• Wash’n Dri Towellettes
• Cough Drops
• Mouthwash
• Feminine Products

Be Prepared

• Review your part before Rehearsal
• Write down any possible questions

What to Bring (Even if you are in the chorus, ensemble, tech. etc.)

• Binder or Folder
• Sharpened Pencils (that means more than One)
• Extra Paper for Notes
• Script or Music- Even once it’s memorized!
• Always wear clothes you can move in & sturdy shoes (no flip-flops or slippers)
• Dance Shoes or Rehearsal Clothes (as necessary)
• Water
• Something to Snack on 

How to Behave

• Listen. If you are talking, you might miss something important.
• Follow the Director’s Instructions. Do NOT interrupt. Do NOT make suggestions. Wait for a break.
• Write down your blocking (even when you think you can remember it)
• Write down your notes (even when you think you can remember them)
• Only take direction from the Director or Artistic Team not your parents or cast mates. If someone else gives you direction smile and say thank you, but continuing doing what the director has asked you to do.
• Perform every rehearsal … you will be tired, but try your best to perform as if you have an audience.
• Watch & Listen. You never know what you can learn.
• Have FUN!!