Yes, Mike has made the film and television industry the fastest-growing employment source in New York City, creating 10,000 jobs over the last year, and background extra work can be tough, but -- nothing compares to this: while doing background work on Damages, I meet a hilarious comedian, Canada Anne, who almost died during her extra background work for I am Legend:
As dramatic and tense as the 'evacuation' scenes in the above trailer are, C.A. says the actual 'evacuation' drama was even better -- she writes: As soon as the director called out "It's a wrap" , this swarm of people start running, screaming, kicking, pushing, and shoving and "evacuating" the set to book it so fast back to the tent to sign out that this "evacuation" scene was better then the evacuation scene back on set. The film crew should have filmed this and got more realistic evacuees.
In all seriousness, every movie star, every actor working today in film and television (well practically every one) has worked background. It's well worth the effort to not only know how to survive -- but thrive:
You can bet they were great at it. You want to move ahead in the business? Be great at what you do.
~ Bob Fraser , from Acting School: Background Acting 101
For my own advice, based on my own experience, you can not only survive, but with the right perspective and attitude, it's easy to turn your background work into a paid professional acting job and a great chance to observe how accomplished professional actors work -- see what I learned about doing comedy from Uma Thurman.
For more professional advice, see:
4 Actors & Extras: Practical Advice from a Hollywood Casting Director by Regina Prokop,
You Can Be a Movie Extra by Rob Marti,
"Extra" Work for Brain Surgeons by Hollywood OS,
Movie Extra Work for Rocket Scientists by Cullen Chambers,
Your Film Acting Career: How to Break into the Movies & TV & Survive in Hollywood by M. K. Lewis, Rosemary R. Lewis,
An Actor's Guide-Your First Year in Hollywood by Michael Saint Nicholas,
and the great! Acting Is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles, Expanded Gold by Judy Kerr
