Casting Director Renee Godbout on how extra work can give you a leg up in the industry

You might think that you're too good for extra work and think that it's beneath you. Unfortunately, people who think like this don’t realize how great of an opportunity being an extra can be. Not only you do have the chance to meet other actors who are pursuing the same dream, extra work enables to you to network with other people in the industry - including producers and directors!

Extra work isn't a job for people that aren’t good enough to make it. It’s an opportunity for those that want it bad enough to start at the bottom! Ask a number of celebrities and most will say they have done extra work at some point in their career.

I recently worked on a film shooting in Connecticut but instead of being right outside of Manhattan, we shot one day at Bradley International Airport in Hartford. We were considered to be outside of the SAG zone so I gave first preference to SAG (Screen Actors Guild) members and then waivered central Connecticut locals. One of my extras was actually an acquaintance of Gary Craigh, a popular Connecticut radio personality who happened to be a big fan of the film’s star, Robert DeNiro.

I had grown up in Connecticut and was surprised to hear that Gary Craig was interested in being an extra in the film. I used to listen to his morning show every day as I drove to high school! I had to explain to Gary that he would be treated just like everyone else. He was responsible for getting to the set on time, bringing two forms of ID, and would be kept in holding with all the other extras.

I also made sure to tell him that he would not be able to interview Robert DeNiro or any other actor on set that day. Because of the high caliber of cast they had put together, set was usually closed off to people outside of the production. There were designated days for press and interviews. He agreed to everything and promised not to reveal any important scene descriptions on the air.

The day after filming, I listened in to a clip from his morning show that talked all about his experience as an extra. Gary stayed true to his word and revealed nothing about the film. But what he did say instead focused on his experience as an extra. He mentioned the names of the other extras he had worked with, and of course, talked about how closely he worked to Robert DeNiro! He said it was a moment he would always remember.

A few days later Gary Craig was still talking about his experience on set and that he would love to do it again. It’s proof to everyone that being an extra shouldn’t be beneath you. Everyone starts there at one point, whether it’s the beginning of a career or just a chance to try something new. For SAG members, it can even become a steady source of income - which any actors know is hard to find sometimes! Extra work is an opportunity to learn, to experience, and to have moments you will never forget. Just ask Gary Craig.

Renee Godbout - Casting Director, Grant Wilfley Casting. Renee is currently casting background for the first season of The CW's popular teen show Gossip Girl at this busy casting office. Some past projects include 2 seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the pilot for Dirty Sexy Money, and the upcoming Jonathan Demme-directed Dancing with Shiva. The office also casts background for several other New York episodics including Law and Order: SVU, Lipstick Jungle, and New Amsterdam. Grant Wilfley Casting's recent films includes both background and some principle casting for: Sex & The City: The Movie, The Departed, Enchanted, The Bourne Supremacy, and Oscar nominee Michael Clayton.

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