Interested parties should contact casting director, Ryan Hill at reddawnextras@gmail.com with the following:
Compensation: Day rate (works out to be about minimum wage). Extras will work several days over a couple of weeks.
* Looking for anyone with military experience (not required, but helpful).
Local freelance casting director Ryan Hill was kind enough to answer a few questions about the benefits of working as a film “extra.”
Ouellette: What are the benefits of doing extra work?
Hill: Extra work is a great way to get onto a big movie set and see how movies are really made. There is also the chance that you could end up getting in front of someone who might give you a bigger role.
Ouellette: Is there much work for extras here?
Hill: There is quite a bit of extra work in the Detroit market. I am currently casting several hundred extras for the film, Red Dawn. Those chosen will work several days over a couple of weeks.
Ouellette: How much do you make doing extra work?
Hill: There is a day rate, which works out to be about minimum wage. The draw for many people doing extra work is that it can be an opportunity to learn about and gain experience in the film industry.
Ouellette: Should an actor list extra work on a talent resume?
Hill: Yes. In fact, extra work is a good way to begin developing your industry resume. Especially early on in an actor’s career, listing your work as an extra shows you are involved and actively pursuing work in the business.
Ouellette: We’re enjoying a sudden boom in opportunities for actors in the Detroit market. There is also an increase in the number of people trying to take advantage of people who are unfamiliar with accepted practices in the industry.
For example, I recently received an online “audition” announcement. A small fee was being charged to audition, plus a significant “casting participation fee” should you be chosen. Is it acceptable business practice to charge actors to audition or take part in a film production?
Hill: You should never have to pay someone to audition or participate.
* If interested in extra work, contact Ryan Hill via e-mail at reddawnextras@gmail.com.
Include: Your headshot, resume, contact info, height, weight, and basic wardrobe sizes.
Ages are role specific, but not actor specific – if you can play the age, please submit. In the “subject” column of email please write: ACTOR
Hello!
I am a writer and photographer for the talent industry with over 20 years photographing audition, PR, and competition head shots for actors, dancers, vocalists, coaches, and others in the industry.
Blog content will be added regularly (at least weekly). I will be posting articles and interviews with industry experts, classes, auditions (and scam) alerts, as well as industry contact information. Primarily focused on the Detroit market — with an eye towards helping regional talent make the most of regional opportunities and/or prepare for a successful move to larger markets — much of the content should be helpful to talent people, regardless of their current location.
I welcome and invite questions, suggestions for articles and interviews, and announcements/news from those of you who land auditions, call backs, jobs, etc.
Visitors are encouraged to take an active part in helping develop this blog into something that will help fellow performers launch or expand their careers in the business.
Important: Please note that I work with a lot of child performers and their parents. Please keep comments professional, considerate, and positive. I reserve the right to delete any comment that is mean-spirited or otherwise not suited for a blog dedicated to networking, sharing information, and helping each other to do well in the business.
Looking forward to any comments you have that will help me to make this a truly valuable resource for aspiring and working talent.
Have a good one!
