I Am, An Extra July 1, 2021

Background Talent

Background talent, colloquially called extras, are hired to create atmosphere in the scenes of our favorite movies and television shows.

Types of Background Talent

There are:

• Background (general extras, can fill any potential role in a scene’s atmosphere
• Stand Ins (stand in for the principal players, support set ups, lighting, and off camera dialogue needs
• Photo Doubles (provide images of their bodies and appearances for the purposes of insert shots and other shots where a principal actor’s face and features don’t need to be in focus)
• Special Ability (have abilities that are needed for the scene beyond acting in the scene, think juggling or fire breathing)

And in Canada:

• Photo Stills (images used for still photos within a scene)
• Special Ability Extras (same as USA special abilities) (BC)
• Special Skilled Extras (same as USA special abilities) (Ontario & Other Provinces)

Background Casting

Background casting companies are hired by production for the purposes of casting the background talent necessary to fulfill the creative demands of the scene. For clarity, extras are sourced (not hired) by extras casting companies.

Production

Productions hire the extras and use their talents / looks / and appearances to create the creative atmosphere in a scene.

Digital Vouchers & Startwork

During the day or days an extra works on a production (works on set), they have to be onboarded and managed as an employee of the production. Extras receive digital vouchers. A digital voucher is a performer’s time card and rate details. They also receive other employment documentation such as an I-9 and a W-4 or a provincial residency form through RABS. Before RABS, this process was entirely paper-based.

Production Accounting

Production accounting uses the digital vouchers to track the background performer’s payments.

Background Payroll

Production hires a third party background payroll company. The payroll company is responsible for issuing the extras’ paychecks. They’re the background performer’s legal employer of record and are responsible for federal, state, and local taxes and providing workers comp insurance. In Canada, extras payroll companies aren’t the legal employer of record, but they’re responsible for issuing paychecks.

Unions

Some extras work enough jobs, or earn enough credits, to join the actors guilds. In the states, the guild is called SAG-AFTRA. In Canada, the guild is called ACTRA or UBCP ACTRA (in BC, only). Guilds provide performers benefits and they collective bargain on behalf of the members to ensure higher wages and worker protections.