Do You Put Background Work On An Acting Resume?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do you put background work on an acting resume? So, in almost all cases,

NEVER put background roles on your acting résumé

. If you are a beginning actor, you don’t need to use background roles to fill the empty space on your acting résumé. Use training, instead. Take as many classes as you can and use this training to beef up your acting résumé.

Should you do background work as an actor?

No matter what your friend on set tells you,

background work does NOT go on your acting resume

. Background work makes for great on-set experience, especially if you take the opportunity to watch the leads and see how they work. But I repeat, It is not credited acting work. The work can be unpredictable.

How do you put background acting on a resume?

A well-written resume example for Background Actor should mention duties such as performing acting roles, following cues and instructions, researching background roles, handling self-promotion, and completing other tasks as assigned by directors.

What should go on an acting resume?

What is background work in acting?

What Is an Extra? Extras, also referred to as background actors or background talent, are

performers placed in the background of a scene in a film or TV show to make the atmosphere more realistic

. Extras can be used in a scene to populate a restaurant, walk in the background down a street, or appear in a crowd.

Do extras talk in the background?

“Walking background” and “human props” are two of the gentle and tired jokes used to describe the role of the film and television extra, usually by extras themselves, but the description is entirely appropriate.

Extras aren’t supposed to say anything during a take, for as the saying goes, you aren’t being paid to talk.

Do background actors get discovered?

Let’s make something crystal-clear:

You will (almost) never be “discovered” performing as a background actor

! Occasionally, an extra will get the opportunity to move up from background into a speaking role. This is usually referred to as an “upgrade”. But this is extraordinarily rare.

What should never go on an acting resume?

  • This is a brief “NEVER and WTF Were You Thinking!” list.
  • NEVER put your Social Security Number on your acting résumé
  • NEVER put your physical address on your acting résumé
  • NEVER put background roles on your acting résumé

Should I put my weight on my acting resume?

Though

you shouldn’t put your hair color, eye color, or weight on your resume

, you should definitely include your height. Height is important information for the creative team as they need to be able to envision a stage picture.

What do you put on an acting resume with no experience?

  • Select a template. The first step to writing an acting resume is to choose a template. …
  • Include personal information. …
  • Add relevant experience. …
  • Include education and training. …
  • Add special skills.

Should acting resume have headshot?

If you focus on EPAs and theater auditions,

you should always bring a headshot and résumé with you

. Bringing a hard copy of your headshot is not always mandatory in the film, TV, and commercial world, but many audition postings ask you to bring them, so you should always have some on hand.

Are background people in movies actors?

A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking or nonsinging (silent) capacity, usually in the background (for example, in an audience or busy street scene).

What should actors wear for background?

With bright colors and whites out of the picture, that leaves dark and neutral colors. The best colors for background actors to wear are

blue, black (but not all black), gray, khaki, and brown

. Also, if you’re going to be working in front of a green screen, don’t wear green (for obvious reasons).

What are background actors called?

Background actors are also referred to as

“atmosphere”, “background artists”, or simply, “background”

.

Why do actors say watermelon?

TIL that extras in films and TV shows are often ordered to repeat “Watermelon cantaloupe” or “Rhubarb rhubarb” over and over

in order to imitate the murmur of a crowd in the background of the scene

. The mouth movements to say these phrases are sufficient to give the illusion of real speech.

Do background actors get lines?


Extras don’t get film credits or lines

. But they can get union wages, meals and perks — such as getting to read novels on the job.

Do actors get to keep their clothes?

Sets will be dismantled and the actors and crew will (hopefully) head on to new jobs, but another crucial question remains: when a show wraps, what happens to the clothes? The number one rule of thumb that audiences might not realize is that

the costumes are officially property of the studio producing the show

.

Can extras talk to actors?


It is strictly not permitted to talk to the actors

, ask for autographs, take photographs, or use recording equipment of any kind.

Do most actors start off as extras?

Are movie extras paid?

How much do extras get paid?

Extras are paid differently depending on their union status

. Generally, nonunion talent will be hired for either a 10- or 12-hour day, with additional pay provided should production run overtime. A common rate for a single day of background work is between $100 and $200.

Can you put music videos on acting resume?

Film and television: List the project, credit (character name optional), and studio or production.

Voiceover: Voiceover work, music videos, personal appearances, etc.

Theater: List the production, character, and venue. Training: List the class name, coach, venue, and city.

What is an actors resume called?

This is a common question, but the answer is simple: It’s called an Actor Resume. There is no special terminology for it! ​Some people call it an

Acting CV (curriculum vitae)

, which is Latin for “course of life” – essentially someone’s life work, consolidated onto one page.

Can I be an actor without experience?

How do I make an acting portfolio with no experience?

To create an acting portfolio, start by writing your acting resume, which should give your height, weight, age, and hair color. You should also include details of any professional acting credits, acting-related education, and any relevant experience you have.

What skills do actors need?

  • Ability to take direction.
  • Ability to work as a team and also individually.
  • Good time keeping skills.
  • Reliability.
  • Ability to learn lines/directions.
  • Confidence in being in front of an audience.
  • Experience in improvisation/ad-libbing.

What does ND mean in acting?

ND –

Non-Descript

(TV/film industry and animal breeds) | AcronymFinder.

Is background acting hard?

Being a background actor/actress is

a lot of hard work

. When people watch a movie or television show, they focus on the main characters–basically the ones who have lines. Their jobs are very hard, but the main actors/actresses are often pampered on set, and the background actors are treated, well…

How do background actors stand out?

  1. Show up on time. …
  2. Do the research. …
  3. READ: How to Make the Film Crew Love You.
  4. Remember that this is a job, so be a pro. …
  5. Pay attention to what’s happening. …
  6. It’s time to get on set!

What is salary of actor?

Do extras get credited?

What should you not wear to an audition?

The basic rules are what not to wear to an audition.

No solid black, solid white, or solid red clothing

. No costumes unless specifically asked to wear one. Do not show up in a police officer’s uniform unless you’re requested to.

What is an EP role in acting?

Do extras have to audition?

Why Become a Movie Extra?

There’s no audition

. Don’t worry, they won’t ask you to sing or dance, or even read a script. That’s because being an extra doesn’t require too much skill.

What is the most basic skill an actor must possess?

  • Communication skills. Vocal ability is just one aspect of your overall performance as an actor. …
  • Creativity. …
  • Memorisation work. …
  • Physical performance. …
  • Theoretical knowledge. …
  • Teamwork. …
  • Take acting classes. …
  • Join a theatre group.

How hard is it to be a Background Actor?

Being a background actor/actress is

a lot of hard work

. When people watch a movie or television show, they focus on the main characters–basically the ones who have lines. Their jobs are very hard, but the main actors/actresses are often pampered on set, and the background actors are treated, well…

What do I need to set as a Background Actor?

  • Know your details. …
  • Be on time. …
  • Understand production terms. …
  • Follow directions. …
  • Be respectful.
Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.