Working as a background extra, you can fill up your resume pretty quickly.
The length of a background actor‘s employment on a production largely depends on the needs of the director and the scene(s) being filmed. Some background actors are needed on the set only for a day or two. Others may remain with the film for an extended period. On James Cameron‘s film Titanic, for instance, a group of 150 “core background actors” was hired to play the ship's passengers. Those background actors were employed throughout the filming.
But, your job history will look unstable with multiple temp jobs. However, if you plan on applying for a job outside acting, you may not want to have pages upon pages of background extra work on your resume. Some production companies or corporations may be hesitant to hire you because they think you will quickly move on.
You can avoid this by bunching your temporary jobs together on your resume.
By listing these jobs as one entire work experience, you show that you have been consistently working and developing your skills rather than jumping from one job to the next.
On your job resume, you should put group all of your extra work together to show that you have been consistently working and developing your skills instead of working on small productions.
However, on your acting resume, try to focus on extra roles where you are featured in the production.
Do you have any acting tips? Do you know any audition secrets? Have any tips on how to become an actor? Leave us a comment below!
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