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How much do extras get paid? All you need to know

How do you fancy mixing with the stars, getting paid, and appearing in a movie or TV show? Sounds great, doesn’t it? But is it all glitz and glamour? Take a look at everything you need to know about becoming a film extra, and most importantly, how much movie extras get paid.

How much do extras get paid?


How much do extras get paid?

How much an extra gets paid depends on the movie or TV company they work with, but basic pay isn’t much more than minimum wage. Expect a daily rate of around £70/$90. With overtime and holiday pay, earnings can increase to £100/$120 and more is possible for a speaking role.


Becoming a film or TV extra

I am always on the lookout for new ways to make money on the side and although my brother had appeared as a commercial extra back in the 1990’s (a Tango advert) I had never given it much thought. But recently I saw a post on Facebook being shared about a movie being made in the local area, so I decided to give it a shot.

Also known as supporting artists, background artists or simply background extras, whether you get a chance to film in Los Angeles, New York, London or Hull, there is always a big need for extra roles.

Finding work

The first thing you need to do to become an extra is joining a central casting agency. Even if it’s just a one-off job, anybody who wants to work in the business will need a “middleman” to act as a liaison between you and the production company or casting director. The agency will need to know a lot about you.

Depending on the filming and the costume, you will probably need to look a certain way. That means providing height and weight measurements and some photos. Plus, they like to know if you have any useful skills (such as ex-military or a dancer) or if you’re willing to do a bit of partial nudity, which could help you find more opportunities. Depending on the role, you may need to change your look, such as growing your hair or having it cut short.

Some agencies will require you to pay a fee when signing up. Some will charge you straight away, others will take the fee out of your first pay packet. The agency I usually use charges but will sometimes waive the fee for a one-off job.

Do extras have to audition?

Generally, no. Most of the work you are required to do is standing in the background, performing fairly simple actions – such as talking, walking or watching. They aren’t looking for anybody with serious acting talent.

Casting and movie companies are more interested in your appearance. And by that, I don’t mean how good-looking you are, but if you suit a certain look. For example, a movie set in the 1930’s won’t be too keen on men with long flowing hair as they will be looking for a more classic look. However, a 70s’ set film would love people with longer hair.

As the casting company will already have photos of you, there’s no need for you to audition. The only issue is if you’ve changed your look drastically since you provided your photo. This is why it’s always important to keep your portfolio up-to-date.

If you’re serious about extra work, you could provide professional photos, but this isn’t essential.

Be flexible

Just because you don’t meet a certain look doesn’t mean you can’t adjust. You may get several months’ notice for new projects. This should give you some time to grow your hair on your head or your face. My most recent movie was set in the 40s’ and they were looking for that gelled-over look they used to have. My hair was quite short when I received the casting call but had a couple of months to grow it longer.

Of course, movie companies can work around problems using props and costumes. However, you could get turned away if you turn up at a costume fitting and have decided to get multiple piercings in your face for a film set in biblical times.

What’s it like to be an extra in a movie?

It probably sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? Working alongside actors like Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, appearing in a film and getting paid. But, as with any job, you must take the rough with the smooth.

The good points

It is an amazing experience being on set. You can see how much hard work goes on and how many people are involved behind and in front of the camera. Plus, you get to see some major stars in the flesh.

The work isn’t taxing. Most of it involves walking from A to B or just chatting to somebody in the background. Occasionally, some people will be asked to do a bit more.

You also get to meet some very interesting people. Some extras have been in the business for years and have great stories and lots of gossip about the stars. People come from all walks of life, so there is plenty to chat about between takes.

Food and drink are (usually) provided throughout the day, so that’s another cost you don’t have to worry about.

Everything You Need To Know About Becoming A Film Extra


The bad points

You are cattle. No matter how often one of the assistant directors tells you how important and special you are… you aren’t. They only care about getting the film shot and don’t care if you’re happy or not.

Several times I have seen 300 extras released to go for lunch at the same time. You can queue for 20 minutes, but 15 minutes in, they will ask people to go back to set. Could you ever see the stars missing their lunch?

You will stand around for ages. It might not sound bad, but spending several hours on your feet in an uncomfortable costume can be quite galling. I’ve seen many people with bruised and swollen feet/ankles.

It can be incredibly boring. For example, if you’re selected to be a bus conductor and they decide to cut the bus scenes, you will be sat around for three days doing nothing. It’s not as if, with that uniform, you can do much else.

You will often have to start work at around 06:00. Depending on their location, many extras have to wake up at 04:00! It can often be a full day. Sometimes you won’t be told your start time until 10 o’clock the evening before.

Do extras ever get speaking roles?

Although I fancy myself as a bit of an orator, I have never been asked to speak in a movie. It’s generally quite rare for extras to be asked to speak, but it’s certainly not unheard of. It’s the holy grail of extra work.

And the added benefit is you earn an extra fee (supporting artiste vs walk-on below).


Also worth reading

Fancy a boost to your income? Find out how to make a little extra money in the UK.


How much do extras make?

The important question – how much can you make as an extra in the UK? Expect to earn between £86 and £120 per day. But pay varies depending on what is being filmed. Movies pay more than TV, with the BBC and ITV paying different rates. Commercials and corporate films tend to pay slightly more.

For a movie, expect to earn a basic rate of around £96.70 for an 8-hour day (plus a meal break). On top of this, you earn extra if you work between 22:00-07:00, as these count as night hours.

You can also earn extra money if they cut your hair for a particular role or you’re able to provide some special skills, such as military experience or you’re a dancer. This is known as supplementary fees.

This is an example of pay (correct January 2023).

MovieBBCITV
Basic day rate£105.09£86.40£90.22
Overtime day rate£10.93 (per 30 minutes)£13.10 (per 1 hour)£15.27 (per 1 hour)
Night rate£157.63£94.60N/A
Overtime night rate£16.37 (per 30 minutes)£16.30 (per 1 hour)£22.90 (per 1 hour)


However, different agencies will pay you slightly different rates.

The extra’s agency you choose will also deduct a fee from your day’s pay. This is usually within the region of 10-20% but differs depending on your agency. In the movie I worked on, some people were being charged 15% from their agency, while others were charged 20% from another.

Here is my pay from my first day (13 hours of work):

How much do extras get paid?


In total, for three days’ work and a costume fitting (which took 90 minutes), I earned £651.75. After agency fees, this is about £554.

Supporting Artiste vs Walk-on

If your role is quite simple and you’re ‘one of the crowd’, you’ll be known as a Supporting Artiste and earn the money as listed above. However, if you require specific direction, need to deliver a line or have a small recurring role, you become known as a ‘Walk-on’, which means you can earn more than the standard pay.

An example of a Walk-on is somebody who may appear in a couple of television series episodes. It doesn’t even have to be a speaking part.

If you have a 3-day walk-on part with ITV, your basic rate increases to £175.38 per day.

Being a Walk-on isn’t the only way to boost pay. You can pick up extra earnings for some of the following:

  • Special ability of special skills
  • Short haircut
  • Costume fitting
  • Audition (if needed)
  • Providing your own wardrobe
  • Strenuous workout
  • Lookalike Doubling, Stand in, Dialogue.

Paying tax

Unfortunately, if you work as an extra you may have to pay tax. We all have a tax-free allowance of £12,500 for 2021/2, but anything above that will be taxed.

To pay the tax, you must register for a self-assessment on the government website and complete your tax forms. But don’t forget, you only fill this out the following year. So if you worked in May 2023, your assessment wouldn’t be due until January 2025.

Can you make a living being an extra?

Due to the nature of the business, you will struggle to make a full-time living from being an extra, as you’re not guaranteed to work regularly. There is a big need for extras but plenty of competition.

Casting agencies aren’t keen on just giving specific clients all the extra work, otherwise people would soon leave. Instead, most try to share the work out evenly. So you can be booked up for a month, earn several thousand pounds, and then have nothing the following month.

Nearly all the extras I’ve worked with also have an income from elsewhere. In fact, I have yet to meet a full-time extra.

Casting agencies to consider

If you want to find out more or want to work as an extra, look at the list of extras agencies below. These all come recommended by people that I worked with.

Casting Collective

Universal Extras

Extra People

Ray Knight Casting

Mad Dog Casting

And if you do decide to get involved, good luck. May it lead to a long and successful acting career in feature films. Or maybe, you could get your arm in a TV show.


FAQ’s

How much do extras get paid in Coronation Street?

As this is an ITV production, the basic rate is £90.22 per day. However, this can increase to as much as £175.38 if you’re required for extra episodes. You’ll also earn a small amount of holiday pay, ranging from £6.76 to £11.85. You can earn more for a costume fitting and, if required to deliver a line.

How much do extras get paid in soaps?

ITV soaps pay £90.22 per day. BBC pays slightly less, with a standard rate of £86.40 per day. If you have a walk-on part that requires direction or dialogue, your pay increases to £106.80 daily.

JOE TURNBULL

Sunday 5th of November 2023

Hey fella

Really interesting blog. Just wanted to know. Do you always get more than one days work? For example do I have to do one day plus the travel for £85 basic plus deductions? (Casting co). Hardly seems worth it but a few days at the rates you’re stating is something that I could really do with at the minute.

Hope you can help

Many thanks

J

Pete Chatfield

Friday 10th of November 2023

Hi Joe. It really depends, but most jobs are usually 3+ days. It's unusual for filming to be wrapped in one day and in most cases, they have you staying late to work.