THE EXTRA: (AKA Background Performer)

Anxious for the big break to getting 'discovered', many Extras take on background work as their main opportunity to achieve dreamed stardom. They often feel their 'Natural Talent' will shine through. Unfortunately, very few of them understand, or care, about the rigors and professional demands required of the main actors or crew.

The average beginning Extra has likely responded to an ad in the local paper, and signed on with a small agency. When they ask what to do next, they're often given the simple direction "Just go to set and do what everyone else is doing" by the agent. Tragically, the people they mimic have usually built their set habits after following the same instructions.

Many of the so-called seasoned pros (including some disgruntled union performers) have reached a point of frustration, and even anger, at having their careers relegated to the background. Quite often, they approach their work half-hazardly: put in their time, make a few bucks, pay a couple of bills, and go home.

They've failed to realize the opportunities they've lost when working on set. Background work offers one of the best chances for them to tone their professional acting skills, to learn what the crew and Director need to make the scene work, and to become a valuable asset on a working production.

THE PRODUCTION:

Hundreds of departments and technicians, countless unexpected shooting nightmares, a million things on your mind, and only 24 hours in a day. Dealing with a frenzy of amateur Extras is far at the bottom of your criteria. Let the 3rds handle it...

Believe me, they're doing their best, but there's only so much a 3rd or TAD can do to motivate unprepared Extras. Although training performers is not really the AD's job, one way to get the most from background performers is by simply explaining to them (literally) what you need to make the scene work. It's not enough to tell them what to do; you'll have more success telling them 'how' and 'why' their actions are needed.

Rather than "we want this to look like a busy airport", try: "We're shooting a wide shot and you to play 5 different people throughout the scene. Use your best judgment and work through anyplace you see empty. Here's the edge of the shot (point out the boundaries), so when you get past there, try to make some quick changes, look for any areas that seem empty, and help us fill it with action again."

Sounds like a lot of wasted direction, but you're probably the first person to do two things: (1) You've explained how and why their actions are so important, and (2) you've given them some individual responsibility to watch for dead spots and fill them (i.e.: pay attention and stay alert.)

When the Extras are just needed to walk through the background, watch carefully and you'll see they almost all walk at an identical pace, and in a straight line. Have the 3rd (or whoever) explain the concept of dead spots behind the principals. Encourage some meandering, and make them aware of different pacing.

You know you're just looking for shadowed movements to be in a constant flow, but the Extras often don't (they have no idea what the camera sees or shows in the monitor). They're so busy concentrating on getting from point 'A' to 'B' without tripping, that they aren't even aware that what they do between these two points is what's really important.

Assign some groups with a slow pace, and some faster. Another trick is to pick one or two Extras who seem on-the-ball, and assign them the responsibility to unexpectedly intercept or redirect another Extra as they cross through (e.g.: have them catch someone off guard and ask for the time --mimed-- half way across.) This will quickly get you the varied flow of traffic needed.

The nightmare of nightmares... your wild, riotous crowd is rapidly drifting off into zombie land. Boredom of the fiftieth take has just claimed their energy.

It's really hard getting an Extra to see past the first couple of takes. They haven't learned how to pace their energies or recharge their enthusiasm on demand. As far as they're concerned, they did their job right the first time (at least in their mind.) Cries and pleas of "C'mon, let's really give it everything just one more time" is often met with half-hearted acknowledgment.

The trick to getting your shot completed is to concentrate not on the crowd as a whole, but rather enlist a select few individuals scattered amongst the swarm. Have the 3rds (or whoever again) briefly approach a few specific Extras in the crowd, and have them ask for assistance: (quietly, to a selected Extra) -- "I really need your help to get more energy from some of the others. Think you can help by really getting them worked up in this next take?"

Suddenly, faced with something 'important' to do, that Extra becomes a dynamo of excitement. They'll often startle their friends awake too, and take pride in trying to outdo the next group. You'll also note that suddenly some of the crew will come alive again as the enthusiasm becomes contagious. At the very least, you may end up with an active crowd for up to another dozen immediate shots.

WHY WASTE YOUR TIME ON THE EXTRAS?

Nobody else will... Extras usually don't know what's been happening in the script. They haven't had the experience or technical training to understand exactly how they fit in. They often feel like they're unimportant to the production as a whole.

The time (and producer's money) may be wasted when you need to reshoot a scene over-and-over because the @#*! Extras aren't doing what they're suppose to! Then again, how can they do their job if nobody tells them what it is? A few minutes of attention for a really tough scene will really pay off if you can get it in one or two takes. Give the Extras some responsibility, make it clear what you need, and they'll feel like part of the production and do their best to give you everything they can.

WHY DON'T EXTRAS KNOW THIS STUFF ALREADY?

As I've already explained: nobody has ever thought to tell them. Not the agents, not the production, not even the more seasoned Extras (don't forget, nobody ever told them either.)

It may not be the production's responsibility (you have many more important concerns on your mind), but that also means you'll be dealing with a group who may not really know any better. Up until now, there's just never been any information or source of reference for them.

I'm hoping the situation will slowly improve for production companies now that the book "In The Background... An Extra's Handbook" is being released. No, this isn't a plug for you or anyone else to buy the book (though it would be nice.) It's just that until it was released, Extras had no directions or instructions to follow.

I've tried to take a different approach from the usual 'How-To' book formula, and have detailed answers to thousands of questions which plagued Extras for years. Rather than "DO THIS" or "DON'T DO THAT", I've tried to explain the reasoning behind their responsibilities, and encouraged them to approach their craft with pride by learning how to work with the crew.

You've all started your positions at the bottom of the ladder, and had to climb your way up. It's a learning process. Unfortunately, the Extras have rarely been given the same direction, explanation, or motivation needed for their job. With this in mind, hopefully you can understand why they may seem so inept at times. With just a little bit of guidance from yourselves, that can change very quickly. A bit of encouragement and acknowledgment will spread a long way. Before you know it, you'll produce a cast of thousands that eagerly, and professionally, help to make your every shot work.