[The King]

A few months ago I did some work as a background actor. I'd previously done a day of it years ago when I was very young. The last production I worked on had a few days of shooting. These were long ass days for okay pay, nothing fantastic. The work was gruelling at times for reasons I won't explain on here.

I'm due for more work on a new production now, but have to show some "skin" if you know what I mean. I already signed the contract but thinking about others who've done the same I think I'm being underpaid for this.

I don't mind long hours and sometimes boredom on set but I read something on the the Internet which said "background work only leads to more background work" which seems to make sense. You should see how much more money the cast members get.

Anyone here on RVF have experience in background acting? Has anybody transitioned from it to real work as a cast member? I'd love to here from someone who has more experience in the field.

[Jones]

(08-23-2016 03:14 PM)The King Wrote:  

...but have to show some "skin" if you know what I mean.

[8ball]

OP, whats your end goal here? Do you want to be an actor or you just looking for a job? Background work is a drag.

If you are an actor and manage to join the Union then you can actually make a living doing a mix of background work + acting + ADR sessions.

Note: Few people are able to do this and you need connections to get regular work. Also you get by now that the attractive female background actors tend to fuck guys that don't just sit there in the background.

[The King]

@8ball
I'm not quite sure what I want out of this at the moment, but I did feature work in the last production, working closely with the cast members and even getting 2 or 3 short lines. This got me very engaged in the production and I think I'm good at it so I want to just keep moving down that path.

I got an email recently about an acting bootcamp spaced over 10 weeks with someone known in the industry. It costs a few hundred but I figure that by doing acting courses and workshops it would greatly improve my chances of being offered real acting work. Is this how most actors start out?

[The Beast1]

Are you talking about the people in the background that just mime conversation?

That shit kills me. One of the favorite things i like to do are watch actors in restaurant or food scenes. They'll never actually eat the food and the whole scene is ruined to me at that point!

[8ball]

(08-23-2016 04:49 PM)The King Wrote:  

@8ball
I'm not quite sure what I want out of this at the moment, but I did feature work in the last production, working closely with the cast members and even getting 2 or 3 short lines. This got me very engaged in the production and I think I'm good at it so I want to just keep moving down that path.

I got an email recently about an acting bootcamp spaced over 10 weeks with someone known in the industry. It costs a few hundred but I figure that by doing acting courses and workshops it would greatly improve my chances of being offered real acting work. Is this how most actors start out?

No, most actors start out by actually going to school for Acting doing alot of theater, moving to either NY or LA(majority) getting an agent and mass applying to every job they can.
Background work is something they have to do to pay the bills and its "good exposure." Its one step above waiting tables.

[The King]

(08-23-2016 04:57 PM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

Are you talking about the people in the background that just mime conversation?

That shit kills me. One of the favorite things i like to do are watch actors in restaurant or food scenes. They'll never actually eat the food and the whole scene is ruined to me at that point!

Haha I know. Honestly the background actors I've worked with are just normal people, and by that I mean they're shit at playing pretend. I could see the fury in the directors and cast members when the background guys were messing around on set.

But the answer to you question is yes and no; as I've said I had a featured role in the last production and had some frames of just me in the camera, but not sure if they'll all make it to the final cut. I'm not interested in doing standard background work as a Career though, the pay isn't good enough to warrant the sleep deprivation and health issues that brings.

Don't get me wrong, I'm willing to do hard work. I just want to know that it's for something worthwhile, even if further down the road.

[RIslander]

(08-23-2016 03:36 PM)Jones Wrote:  

(08-23-2016 03:14 PM)The King Wrote:  

...but have to show some "skin" if you know what I mean.

I love this forum.