How to Become a Background Actor (Extra)
Learn how to become a background actor: sign up with casting agencies, what a set day is like, how vouchers and extra pay work, and on-set etiquette.
October 1, 2026
Learn how to become a background actor: sign up with casting agencies, what a set day is like, how vouchers and extra pay work, and on-set etiquette.
How to choose an audition monologue that fits your age and type, how long it should be, where to find one, and how to perform it with confidence.
How to start voice-over at home: why a closet makes a great booth, types of voice work, a starter setup, recording tips, practice ideas, and building a demo.
The phrases scammers use in fake casting calls, the one question that exposes most of them, what real casting calls include, and what to do if you already paid.
What parents need to know about child acting rules: work permits, Coogan trust accounts, set hours, studio teachers, contracts, and staying present on set.
How the streaming era changed casting: more productions, more small roles, wider representation, production outside LA and New York, and self-tape auditions.
How to film a professional looking self-tape audition with just a phone: lighting, framing, sound, background, readers, and a budget setup checklist.
Exactly what happens at a first acting audition, from sign in and the slate to the read, the adjustment, and the callback, so nothing catches you off guard.
How to prepare for your first acting audition: what to wear, how to work with sides, managing nerves, and what casting directors look for.