Film Extras and TV EXtras - What You Should Expect While Filming On Location

A person's working day will almost certainly demand waking up rather early! Call times for Film Extras and TV Extras may be as early as 07:00hrs, sometimes even earlier!. It is very important to arrive in good time in order that the crew understand that they will have a full complement of Film Extras and TV Extras and don’t need to spend time trying to track down missing extras.



When you are filming on location often you will find that the most effective way to find a film set will be to basically look for a massive bunch of trucks, coaches, vans and anything that appears like it should be on a film set! If it’s located within a remote location, or is complicated to track down, it is extremely likely that local area signs will have been recently erected on all local roads.



After you've "checked in" your schedule can vary. You could get sent directly to wardrobe or make-up (if neccessary), or maybe just advised to grab breakfast or even chill out in ‘the bus’. The regular ‘hub’ on a film shoot is a double-decker bus, where cast and crew hang around in between shoots. For a large film set there could possibly be a separate bus for crew and actors, when you find one marked ‘Crew Only’ you know that is a good clue you are going to have to seek out an alternative bus displaying a sign along the lines of ‘Extras’ or ‘Background Staff’.



The Wardrobe Department



Unless you are working on a period programme or possibly a production that would need a rather precise type of outfit, the chances are you would have discussed the type of clothes to wear before hand. There are certain "No No’s" as far as clothes go. You must remember that you are not the star of the production and anything you wear must not be specifically designed to enable you to get noticed and stand out in the crowd! Subsequently, it is advisable to try and wear muted shades, and most certainly nothing loud or extravagant, except when, you have been asked for precisely that! Make sure you stay clear of wearing anything that could potentially cause a ‘strobing’ effect on television screens such as checks or small stripes.



For TV Extras or Film Extras employed on a production that will need a precise style of costume, a trip to the wardrobe department will undoubtedly be necessary. Most likely they will have contacted you before hand with regards to measurements. Even so, it’s essential that you know specifically what your measurements are at any particular time, among them your waist, hips, chest, bust, height, inside leg measurement, hat and shoe size. If you happen to be just like me, your current measurements may vary now and again and so it’s better to make sure you understand whenever they have changed!



The Makeup Department



Unless you’re likely to be required for close up filming, it is very unlikely that you will require any type of make-up. For anyone who is picked out for close ups, the most you can expect may be a dab of powder here and there to ‘matt’ your face and stop shine. Nevertheless, similar to wardrobe, for anyone who is filming a period programme, or a production that will need a unique ‘look’, a visit to the makeup department will almost certainly be necessary. If it’s a period piece you may possibly be required to put on a wig or for men; side boards, moustache or maybe a beard! Just as before, if there are specific make-up criteria then there is a very good chance you'll have been warned about this before hand, to ensure you will be aware of what you should expect. In extreme instances you will have an extremely early morning call so that you could go straight to the make up department, where they can take several hours changing you in to a Zombie, car crash victim or even an alien!



The Food Department



Location filming is well known for producing pretty much endless supplies of food, usually of top notch quality and generally totally free! For TV Extras and Film Extras working a prolonged working day, having frequent time-consuming gaps in between takes, it’s easy to over indulge and consume a large amount of food on account of the endless supply of nibbles between main meals! Whenever possible avoid being greedy, or eating out of boredom, since you can finish up feeling sluggish and even much worse, develop serious heartburn. It really does not help when you find yourself finally called on set, only to stand there keeping back hiccups or much worse!



Prior to joining StarsInMyEyes.TV, Ben Jones had spent many years working in the TV Extras and Film Extras industry.



His wealth of experience has proved particularly helpful when reviewing TV Extras & Film Extras job opportunities and also roles requiring Acting Auditions & Film Auditions.