Q: I'm just starting my acting career and I'm always looking for any opportunity to get in front of the camera. I've been lucky enough to find some extras work for a few TV shows. My understanding is that you usually, if never, get on camera as an extra. Is it still worth my time?

A: First, let me explain what an extra's role actually is. An extra's job is to fill the background of a movie or TV scene with real life to create a truer representation. Extras are the people who viewers sometimes notice in the background of a TV show or movie talking to one another or on their cell phones. The viewer doesn't usually pay attention to them or see their faces because they are focusing on the main action between the star actors in the foreground.

While there are a number of different types of extras, here are a few to keep in mind:

• Special extras - These are the extras with a particular skill or talent (i.e. horseback riding, skateboarding, gymnastics, diving, etc.). If you have a special skill like these, you might want to consider using it to your advantage when searching for work as an extra.

• Day extras - Plain and simple, these extras are just breathing bodies in the background. It doesn't require a skill or acting talent, just that you show up and do what the director tells you too.

• Silent bit extras - This is the person in a movie or TV show who, for instance, opens the door for the lead actor or lights a cigarette. The silent bit extra actually gets a "bit" of face time on the camera and may be in a scene with the lead stars, but only briefly.

Sure, as an extra you probably won't get front-and-center on camera. Wondering whether working as an extra is worth your time is completely valid.

However, since you are just getting your career started, a good piece of advice is to do something every day that can contribute to your career. Even simple things like practicing your audition monologue, or going to an industry event, or to even spending a full day in the background of a set, can contribute to your career.

Just because you won't have a starring role doesn't make extras work useless. You can meet other people like you, network with your peers and colleagues, expand your resume, and most importantly, do something to contribute to the growth of your entertainment career. Any experience is good experience.

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