Side hustle hero: working as an extra

Gil Burns (40), a freelance creative from Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, has been working as an extra for about eight years. She spills the beans on what it’s really like mixing with the rich and famous on set, and who can get in on the action.

How many jobs have you had as an extra?

It’s a strange industry. A lot depends on how much free time you can give, but also on casting directors who are very specific about the look of the extras they pick. So, I think a ballpark figure over the last 8 years for me is about 30 jobs. Which doesn’t sound like much of a side hustle, but it’s definitely filled some gaps between the rest of my freelance work.

What made you want to become an extra?

One of my other freelance jobs is as a puppeteer, and as part of this, I was booked to work on a big Disney film down in London. It was my first time on a working set and I found it fascinating. So, I decided I’d like to do a bit more, and this is where I landed. I’m a real people watcher, and I find it super interesting watching all the different roles on set and seeing how the finished product comes together.

How do you get work as an extra?

I‘m with a Manchester-based extras agency. There are HUNDREDS of agencies out there, but it’s good to go with one that doesn’t charge you an upfront fee (some charge this every year). My agency asks that we are exclusive. Others are fine with you being with multiple agencies, but I’ve found that I prefer the consistency of an exclusive agency – they know who you are and it’s a much more personable experience. Some of the bigger nationwide agencies just view you as a number.

Who can get work as an extra?

You, your family, your dog/cat, even your car! Your hands. Your feet – honestly some of the requests that come out really make me laugh! It’s good if you can drive, though. Often locations are remote and calls can be any time – mostly 6am-7am so public transport can be difficult.

Do you need any special skills?

None whatsoever. The ability to spend long periods of time doing nothing is a bonus, though. Take a book if you’re not good at chit chat or people watching!

How often do you get offered jobs?

You receive emails every day with call-outs. These include roles, the look they want and usually dates/call times. It can be really last minute (sometimes same day if it’s an emergency). So firstly, you put yourself forward and pencil the date in. Sometimes you get asked to send in an extra selfie of what you look like that day, or a self-tape of you doing something specific. But mostly, if you haven’t heard in 24 hours, you’ve probably not been selected. It totally depends on what the casting director is looking for.

Do you need a certain look?

Anything goes. Often call-outs state ‘rough looking types’ or ‘mumsy types’ etc. So, you can lean into what you’ve got. Period dramas are clear, there is to be no dyed hair, false lashes or nails. Other call-outs ask for people with mad-coloured hair and tattoos, so it totally depends on what is being filmed. Sometimes, for period dramas, you need to have specific measurements, as wardrobe is already in existence so you need to fit into it. This is usually quite small…

Are the jobs well paid?

For a completely unskilled day of mostly sitting around then it’s ok – it’s not a fortune though. Length of day varies – anything from 2 hours to 10 hours. Anything over that, you do get overtime, though.

Is there much work available outside of London?

Yes – plenty!

What does a typical day’s work as an extra involve?

An early start! Arrive ON TIME (latecomers are sometimes not admitted). Sign in, then usually you get given coffees and breakfast while wardrobe check what you’ve brought, or find you the right outfit if that’s how they’re doing it – sometimes it’s a combination. Makeup if needed. You have lots of pictures taken of you for continuity. Then you wait around until you are called on set. On set, it’s a good idea to be quiet and not distract people doing their job. I’m a right old goody-goody so I just listen and stay quiet. If you’re easily distracted by people chatting, you can get aggressively shushed by the crew! You very quickly learn the lingo so you know when cameras are rolling etc. You will have a 3rd AD (assistant director) in charge of you and they tell you where to go, how to stand, what to do with your face. It’s a bit strange as you often can’t make any noise, but have to look like you’re chatting to someone, so it’s good to be comfortable with that. Once you are wrapped, then you sign out and head home! There are often mini-buses involved in ferrying you between the unit base and the set.

Could somebody make a full-time living as an extra?

No – even if you have 100% of your time free, I think this would be hard to achieve. Some people like to do more once they retire, but most agencies warn that this is not a full-time job.

What’s it like being an extra?

In all honesty, you are the bottom of the pecking order on set – so if you go into it understanding that, you can have lots of fun. I’ve done a few gigs with people who are on their first gig and occasionally they’ve felt really deflated by the end of the day. Lots of sitting around and last for dinner etc. BUT I always like to look at it as ‘at least there IS dinner!’

Have you met anyone famous?

Ha! Well, I’ve breathed the same air as a few, but you don’t really get to ‘meet’. They’re generally pleasant and might chat, but you are very sternly warned not to distract the talent on set – and some of them are very clear they don’t want to be distracted. I’ve been in scenes/adverts with: Toni Collette, Jurgen Klopp, Jon Richardson and Paul Kaye, to name a few – and I’ve done Emmerdale plenty of times so quite a few Dingles! I actually think Emmerdale is my favourite gig – you get so well looked after, everyone is friendly AND my record shortest day was on Emmerdale – 7:30am call and we were wrapped by 8:45am. That’s soap opera efficiency!

Tell me about your first gig as an extra

In a swimming pool! I went very wrinkly and got very cold BUT I got to do aquarobics next to Toni Collette. AND we actually got paid extra to have swimming as a special skill – I must’ve swum the channel in the afternoon, doing lengths in the background of the scene!

Tell me about your best gig as an extra   

Not sure really – they’re all so different! I love doing Emmerdale and I really enjoyed the Erdinger ad I did with Jurgen Klop – it was two days filming, so good money, everyone was nice and it was just really interesting to see how they used the pub! And we all had a pint in our hands before 8am… Non alcoholic, but you know…

Tell me about your worst gig as an extra

To date, I’ve never had a nightmare.

Have you got any tips for someone keen to start work as an extra?

Just go for it – it’s not for everyone and, until you’ve tried it, you don’t know if it’s for you. It’s certainly not glamorous, but you can have loads of fun. Never pay an agent up-front costs. Any costs they incur (admin for signing you up etc.) should be taken from your first wage slip and definitely only a one-off. They will take a commission from your pay – I think it’s 17.5% at the minute, so don’t be shocked by that when you get your payslip. Also, you need to be responsible for your own tax, so being self-employed is usually advised.