Extras

I've been training now for a few years.But the thing is,you can't get professional work unless you already have professional work.

I got a reject from two of the agencies today. One of them,Spotlight, need not put their address up,as all they say is "Get the Contacts book" which costs a bit, and that's all they say on the website. I might as well have recieved a post it note with the word "NO" written on it in crayon.

When I say, "training" I'm talking about a Diploma or Degree in acting from an NCDT accredited drama school.

Getting into television acting isn't easy, but nor should it be. It wouldn't do for just anyone who fancied a bit of "fame" to be able to walk into opportinitues when others have spend years learning the craft. Not that I am suggesting that is what you are seeking.

That said, some are plucked from relative obscurity into roles in film and television; and it used to be the case that Equity cards could be issued to a person *after* they were cast as a newcomer. Whether that is still true I'm not sure.

If you are persistant and interested enough then you will get your opportunity.

The thing is that there are very rare famous extras. All it ensures is that you just sit in the background and get paid for it. .Not like a main job. And to get a job on TV you either have to live next door to the studios,be related to a famous person or have a lot of money.

I have trained for years at a small drama academy,so a lot of "real" actors will say I am poor and don't deserve a part ,but it's still experience. But recently a new boy joined and straight away gets a main part. Either because he's a cockey little sod or because he's black and the teacher believes in Political Correctness.

I was an extra once for a German TV channel... can't remember what the progoramme was called, it was one of those poor progorammes that are for people learning english. I was on Japanese TV once too. But not as an extra, as part of a documentary.

The discipline required to be an extra in television or film is the same, and it shouldn't underestimated. Whilst you are being paid good money to, "sit in the background", you are expected do exactly what is asked of you, including looking as fresh at 7pm as you did 10 or 11 hours earlier.

When you are being paid as a, "supporting actor" (which is what your payslip will say), you are expected to be acting. Not just sitting.



I have no idea about living next-door to a studio or having pots of money; but knowing people in the industry counts for a lot. But that's not necessarily a reason to condemn someone for it.

If you are under 18, there are agencies who deal with castings for children. It may be worth considering. If you are older, then should really know by now that casting black children has more to do with the part being written for a black child than anything to do with political correctness.

The part was Jason in Jason and the Golden Fleece.

You win some, you lose some.

I didn't want the part but was peeved me off was the fact that this boy had only been going there a few weeks.

Yes well.

You try seeing your ex-flatmate get his own BBC Scotland comedy vehicle, when you have been writing and performing for longer.

But I'm not (very) bitter, or (particularly) twisted.

*That's Showbusiness*

....and to prove it, I bet you watched HIM a few minutes ago on STV.

Woopsie. I was watching QI.

Anyway, he's an absolute peach, and I'm sure he would like to the chance to work with me.

By the lovely twins?