THE DOs AND DON'Ts OF BEING AN EXTRA
Registering as an Extra
Anyone can sign up to become an extra. Send us your details and we'll be in contact with you. You will need an IRD number, NZ bank account number and some vital statistics which you will find on the application form.
We can't guarantee that everyone who registers will be cast for a role on any production. We do not have the final say on whether you are selected for a role. However, we will endeavour to find a role that suits you and to put you forward for as many projects as we can. Film companies or casting agents usually have a particular thing in mind when booking Extras. They will ask for those people on our website who have the right look, expertise or experience. Alternatively they may send us a brief of what they are looking for and we then put forward those we think will fit that part. Sometimes they may simply want numbers. There will be more than one talent agency involved in supplying talent for productions.
The vast majority of work is in the main centres, so as an actor or extra you’ll need to be prepared to travel if required and have reliaable transport. Travel expenses are rarely covered (depends on the production and where they are casting from in relation to shoot location). Extras under 18 need parental consent.
We can't guarantee that everyone who registers will be cast for a role on any production. We do not have the final say on whether you are selected for a role. However, we will endeavour to find a role that suits you and to put you forward for as many projects as we can. Film companies or casting agents usually have a particular thing in mind when booking Extras. They will ask for those people on our website who have the right look, expertise or experience. Alternatively they may send us a brief of what they are looking for and we then put forward those we think will fit that part. Sometimes they may simply want numbers. There will be more than one talent agency involved in supplying talent for productions.
The vast majority of work is in the main centres, so as an actor or extra you’ll need to be prepared to travel if required and have reliaable transport. Travel expenses are rarely covered (depends on the production and where they are casting from in relation to shoot location). Extras under 18 need parental consent.
After Registration
If your contact details (phone number, address, email) change at any time, it is your responsibility to let us know so that we can update our records. Failure to provide or update this information may result in you losing work.
If your personal appearance changes drastically (hair colour, deep tan, hair style, clothing sizes, new tattoos, etc) at any time, it is your responsibility to let us know so that your profile photos can be changed – failure to do so may result in you losing work or being sent home from a job if you look drastically different from the information we have provided to the production company.
If your personal appearance changes drastically (hair colour, deep tan, hair style, clothing sizes, new tattoos, etc) at any time, it is your responsibility to let us know so that your profile photos can be changed – failure to do so may result in you losing work or being sent home from a job if you look drastically different from the information we have provided to the production company.
Auditions and Callbacks
We will contact you to see your availability for a casting brief. If you are called in for an audition (or a call back after you have had an audition) you need to be able to get to the place of audition at the time specified. Better to be early than late. Please ring ahead if you think you are going to be late or are lost. Read all the information you can on the project you are being submitted for so that you are as prepared as you can be. If you have lines to learn, then learn them. Dress the part so that you look the part. Be ready to take directions and follow the instructions given. Project yourself into the role and be open and enthusiastic with casting directors.
Getting Booked For a Production
We will contact you to see if you are available for a certain production on a certain date or dates. This is not a firm offer of work, as this is up to the production company or casting agent, who will decide which people they decide to use. When replying to us, please be 100% certain that you can work on the date/s specified before you confirm your availability and acceptance of the job. It is perfectly fine for you to not accept a job if you are not available or it does not suit for whatever reason. Please do not accept a job if you are in any doubt that you would not be medically and physically fit to complete your filming. If you confirm your availability for the job and then are selected for the role you must attend or give us ample notice to find a replacement.
Always be sure to put your name on any text message you send us and also the name of the production that it’s in relation to.
Shoot dates are subject to last minute change and cancellation so please be flexible. Schedule changes often occur due to weather, time or budgetary constraints – this may mean your filming day(s) can be postponed, cancelled or reduced, and this can sometimes be at very short notice, even the night before.
Always be sure to put your name on any text message you send us and also the name of the production that it’s in relation to.
Shoot dates are subject to last minute change and cancellation so please be flexible. Schedule changes often occur due to weather, time or budgetary constraints – this may mean your filming day(s) can be postponed, cancelled or reduced, and this can sometimes be at very short notice, even the night before.
After Being Booked
If you accept a job, do not change your appearance in any way between the time of booking and the time of filming and until all filming of that production has been completed.
You need to let us know immediately if you become unavailable for a booked job for any reason.
You need to let us know immediately if you become unavailable for a booked job for any reason.
The Day Before The Shoot
If you accept a job and we have booked you, we will contact you the day before the shoot with the details of location and call times. You will receive an email from us, probably late afternoon, so please check your emails the night before your shoot. We only receive this information at this time and rest assured that we are getting it to you as soon as we can, so please avoid contacting us for this information. Only do so if you haven’t received it by 6:30pm.
Checklist
Checklist
- Make sure you know the shoot day and your call time.
- Take the contact mobile phone number for the production with you as well as the contact number for the person from Icarus Talent that booked you. If you have any problems finding the location etc you should contact the contact person on site. In the event of an emergency, should you get lost or be delayed - you must call if you are going to be more than 10 mins late.
- Make sure you know where the shoot is happening, how you will get there and how long it will take to get there. If you do not know the location, Google directions the day before and figure out how you are going to get there and how long it is going to take you.
- Make sure you know where you are going to park. Parking tickets will never be paid for by a production or by Icarus Talent.
- Make sure you know what clothing and props you are required to bring and any hair or makeup requirements you have been asked to do in advance – don’t forget to bring them!
The Shoot Day
It is important to be polite, quiet, and punctual and to follow the directions that you are given by the film crew. Directors and crew usually work multiple shoots and they will most likely choose you again if you fit the look and have left a good impression.
It comes down to professionalism. If you are disruptive, abusive, use bad language, question the script or do not follow directions the film crew will not request you again. It's important that you conduct yourself politely and professionally and make the crew’s lives you are working for as easy as possible. They consistently work incredibly long hours under tremendous pressure. Please never be late and never be rude. If you sense they are too busy to answer a question, they probably are, but they will make best endeavours to tell you everything you need to know as soon as they can.
Booked extras showing up for a job, being on time, friendly and easy to work with all affect our company’s reputation. If you are repeatedly late for jobs, fail to turn up without a good explanation or we receive negative feedback, we’ll remove you from our database.
If you’re under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, this will result in instant dismissal and you will be removed from our database.
Extras that play well are also more likely to get rebooked by production companies, so it makes sense for everyone to behave in a professional manner when on set.
Most filming, like any other job, takes place during the day, on week days. Start times can regularly be at 7am and finish at 7pm, depending on the job. But they can start as early as 6am or film through the night, just depending on what is required. Depending on what type of job you are booked for, when you are called or what time you will be finished for the day, you will sometimes receive breakfast and/or lunch.
Checklist
It comes down to professionalism. If you are disruptive, abusive, use bad language, question the script or do not follow directions the film crew will not request you again. It's important that you conduct yourself politely and professionally and make the crew’s lives you are working for as easy as possible. They consistently work incredibly long hours under tremendous pressure. Please never be late and never be rude. If you sense they are too busy to answer a question, they probably are, but they will make best endeavours to tell you everything you need to know as soon as they can.
Booked extras showing up for a job, being on time, friendly and easy to work with all affect our company’s reputation. If you are repeatedly late for jobs, fail to turn up without a good explanation or we receive negative feedback, we’ll remove you from our database.
If you’re under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, this will result in instant dismissal and you will be removed from our database.
Extras that play well are also more likely to get rebooked by production companies, so it makes sense for everyone to behave in a professional manner when on set.
Most filming, like any other job, takes place during the day, on week days. Start times can regularly be at 7am and finish at 7pm, depending on the job. But they can start as early as 6am or film through the night, just depending on what is required. Depending on what type of job you are booked for, when you are called or what time you will be finished for the day, you will sometimes receive breakfast and/or lunch.
Checklist
- As soon as you arrive at the shoot, sign in with the assistant director or extras co-ordinator who is expecting you. Otherwise they may not be aware that you have arrived and will be looking for you.
- Fill out all the paperwork required by the production company.
- If you must take regular medication or must have medication on hand in case of an emergency please make a member of the assistant director team aware when signing in. If your medication cannot be on your person due to the costume you may be wearing they will take measures to have it kept in a safe place or with the on set medic.
- Listen carefully to the directions you are given by members of the assistant directors’ team in relation to where you should go and what you should do on the day. Clarify anything you do not understand.
- Be quiet on set. The film crew need to work & communicate without interruption.
- Understand your own action in relation to the main action. Be prepared to do this repeatedly for "continuity" (i.e. that you always walk on the same cue to the same place, lift a glass with the same hand, carry a prop on the same side, etc) until the perfect shot is achieved.
- Know your 1st position (your starting place). On ‘cut’ reset to your 1st position immediately.
- Make sure a member of the assistant directors’ team knows where you are at all times. They should not have to look for you when you are needed on set. Remain in the area allocated to you to relax in between filming and tell a member of the assistant directors’ team looking after you when you need a toilet break.
- Bring something to amuse yourself (eg a book) while you are waiting around between set ups.
- Prepare for the weather - whether it is to keep yourself warm, dry or cool.
- Be aware of your own health and safety whilst on location and on set in regards to the equipment (lights, cables, props, etc) that is surrounding you. If any accident occurs, inform an AD (Assistant Director) immediately. Be responsible for any personal belongings – none of which should be brought to set. Avoid bringing any valuables.
- Never be late and never be rude.
- Never look at, or in the direction of, the camera when filming.
- Don’t over act - act naturally.
- Do not take photographs (on cameras or mobile phones) or use recording equipment of any kind. This can result in you being instantly dismissed without pay.
- It is not permitted to bring a friend or family member with you.
- Do not talk to the media about the production you are on. On signing the forms given you on the first day, you are entering into a confidentiality agreement with that production.
- No personal belongings are to be brought onto set. In particular, mobile phones must be switched off.
- Do not take unscheduled breaks. Once filming begins, it may not be possible to release you off set until the next break. So, please go to the bathroom etc. in plenty of time before you are called.
- Do not leave the set or location until you have been told officially by an Assistant Director that you have been ‘wrapped’ (finished for the day). Before you leave make sure you have returned your fully completed timesheet and have returned any costume or props that have been provided for you promptly and in good condition.
- Do not publish any photographs or comments about any aspect of the shoot, including location details, in any social media. This may result in your not being used in future work and may also reflect on our company.
After the Shoot
Make sure you have returned your fully completed timesheet so that we have your details for payment.
We’d love to hear about your experience on set. If you have any feedback about your day please email us to let us know how it went.
We’d love to hear about your experience on set. If you have any feedback about your day please email us to let us know how it went.
