Film Extra

[MartinMillar]

Has anyone ever worked as a film extra?
For each job do you get paid a flat rate per day and expense for hotel or are you expected to pay it out of the daily rate?

[retrocop]

My wife was an extra on The Bill. She got a location meal and a tenner for a short day's shoot.

[AuntPollyGrey]

You will get meals on set and a small fee -very small. They usually use locals and will not pay for overnight accommodation. Usually if the film is in the sticks, they will give free pick-ups from certain areas. Its boring work and you rarely see the 'stars'. Also there is sometimes bad feelings between the bit part actors that have to have an equity card and the Extras, that don't.

[MartinMillar]

I have been asked to audition for a corporate video 350 a day in Dublin but don’t fancy driving down each day for it.
I asked will wait for them to get back to me.

[AuntPollyGrey]

martin that's a totally different thing to being an Extra on a film. If they have invited you to audition then they will surely be expected to pay for your expenses?

[MartinMillar]

Oh ok it through a film extra agency that I signed up for as a laugh!
So I thought it was the same thing

[AuntPollyGrey]

£350 a day seems very generous for an Extra. A few years ago they were filming Beowulf not far from here and the going rate was getting picked up at the market square two meals on set and £25 quid. Most people just did it for a day out. No auditions were required though they needed hundreds of peasants!

[MartinMillar]

I have to go to Dublin so not really commuting distance.
The only reason I was asked was because they want an English accent

[AuntPollyGrey]

And you have a lovely speaking voice I know that from the video you did.

[MartinMillar]

Thank you very kind of you to say so

[tiggerblue10]

Did you post your video on here Martin? Think I must've missed it :o(

[MartinMillar]

I did tigger I’m just waiting for dinner but will see if I can find the link for you

[MartinMillar]

Here you are tigger
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1679200.html

[Vagus]

There’s a film crew in our village at the moment, been here since the beginning of the month, and try as I might, they’ve not asked me to be an extra :/
Because of various reasons, the village is used regularly and is very recognisable to those who know.

[tiggerblue10]

Oh wow, you look fantastic Martin xx

I remember you mentioned you were doing an interview a few years back but I had a mini break from AB for a bit so obviously missed it. So pleased for you :o)

[MartinMillar]

Thank tigger xx

[david small]

My sister did it once £25. Long day though.

[Peter Pedant]

for Julie Christie - Far from the madding crowd 1967
you got £40 a day for riding side saddle on a horse

( bring horse and side saddle)

for Polanskis Tess - one farmer said do you want the field where Tess feeds the baby is set? - others dragged their lovingly restored steam or horse drawn threshers out

not a money spinner - but Jesus there is so little to do in Darzet aaargh!

[Peter Pedant]

// and try as I might, they’ve not asked me to be an extra//

oh my niece walked up the steps to the police station in Broadchurch once

[AuntPollyGrey]

//for Julie Christie - Far from the madding crowd 1967
you got £40 a day for riding side saddle on a horse//

International Velvet 1978. I was an Extra along with other students from the Equestrian Centre where I was studying - recreating the Olympic Equestrian events. One girl could ride saddle, she got loads of work around Yorkshire.

[Gizmonster]

I replied to an ad I saw in the Manchester Evening News for extras. It was quite a while ago .... I'm guessing approx 30 years ish.
I was an extra in one of the episodes of Prime Suspect (I think the episode was called Scent of Darkness).
I got a free haircut and shave and was there most of the working day. I was fed and watered and I got a cheque through the post for approx £55 .... not bad considering how long ago this was.