Do movie extras gain valuable acting experience in acting.?

Question

Do you gain acting experience. Would it help you in getting an acting job. Is it a great way to start out and help find a talent scout or agent. Is it hard to become an extra.

Answer 1

I would say no, I was an extra in "In the Army Now" with Pauly Shore filmed mostly in Lawton Oklahoma at Fort Sill.  It didn't get me going, but then again, we are talking about "in the army now"  with Pauly shore.  

It couldn't hurt though, My part was just acting as if I were in boot camp getting yelled at.  If you get an extra spot with a speaking role, I guess that could be a start.

Answer 2

I am not an actor... but my guess is that you can say that you have done some acting as an extra...

Answer 3

IF they are willing to learn.

A person who was an extra in the harrison ford film, "Witness" was Viggo Mortensen (he can be seen in the barn raising sequence)

Answer 4

It doesnt really give you that much experience. Plus, your not supposed to add "extra" work or commercials on professinal resume's.

Answer 5

No but it gets you face time with people that could give you acting positions.  Also certain extra's get paid and that can help carry you over untill you get a job.

Answer 6

There is some value to it, but don't expect too much.  You can learn your way around a set.  You can see first hand how actors work.  After about ten or fifteen times you will have gotten everything you're going to get out of it though.  Too many people who do extra work think they are putting themselves on the path to an acting career.  It's pathetic to watch.  Do it for a while then move on.

Answer 7

It all depends on what you want to get out of acting. If you want to see how the actors work and how the production goes on..like watching the crew and watching the production, then yes it is great. I reccomend to it everyone who wants to pursue acting or anything in the entertainment field, even a director or writer, because you can see how they really do it and now how movies show them to be.

It also helps build friendships, especially if you move to L.A. and you don't have many friends, and it is a good way to build character. If you take the long road to the end, it is the road that will bring the riches. If you just go out and try and find the first agent, which in L.A., if they hire you off the bat for not even performing.... then it's most likely a scam....sometimes not though....But, if you take the hard way..the long road and actually wake up at 3 a.m. and go and work on a set for 18 hours only to get paid 8.00 dollars an hour..then you will make it!

Good luck!!