Filmmaking Trivia
Behind the Scenes on a Movie Set
Pay
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, pay for an eight-hour work day averaged from $40 - $60 depending on the production budget. Today the rate is approximately $75. Additional pay is provided for overtime, for extras who use their cars in street scenes or if used as a lighting stand-in.
On small films, extras often work for a meal and no pay.
Wardrobe
Extras provide their own wardrobe, but may earn a bump in pay if special attire is requested, such as a tuxedo or evening gown. If the production company provides wardrobe, extras are expected to stash personal clothing in their car during filming. Not following this direction can lead to misplaced clothes at the end of the shooting day.
For a scene filmed outdoors in front of the Soledad Correctional Training Facility in the 1986 film Survival Game, extras were cautioned not to wear blue jeans or blue shirts, because that is what inmates wear.
Meals and Snacks
If the work day goes beyond six hours, a hot, sit-down meal is provided by a hired catering service. For productions using hundreds of extras such as in the 1987 film Lost Boys, this meal might be chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and salad. A smaller unit is often served a gourmet meal, such as grilled steak or lobster tail, asparagus, and pesto fettuccine.
Lunch break is ½ hour and the cast and crew go through the food line first, because they must report right back to the set. Extras may linger if they are not immediately due back.
A table laden with snacks and beverages provided by Craft food suppliers is available at all times. In the morning, fruit, donuts, bagels with cream cheese and muffins are set out. Later in the day, chips and salsa, pretzels, popcorn and candy are added. Also included are healthy foods such as carrots and granola bars.
Things Not Always What They Seem
In the 1989 film Turner & Hooch, three dogs, each with a special talent, performed the role of the French Mastiff, Hooch One of them had the job of bounding through a group of extras in a festive wedding scene taking place outside of an office building in Pacific Grove, made to look like a church. The trainer warned extras not to pet, make eye contact or distract the dogs. (They all drooled profusely, so this direction was easily followed).
In the 1992 film Basic Instinct, much of the action was filmed in San Francisco, but a segment of it took place in Carmel Valley. There, a small bank building was made to resemble a rural police station in a make-believe town called Cloverdale.
No Photos Allowed
Extras are not supposed to address or take pictures of actors. Some find a way around this by simply asking a friend to snap their photo between takes, while the actor is visible nearby in the background.
Become an Extra
Extras who do this work find it is well worth putting life on hold for a day or two for the privilege of seeing what takes place on a movie set, some good food and the chance to earn a little extra cash.
For more information on how to become an extra, see related article, Movie Extra Jobs in Films.
Movie-Extra Jobs in Films by June Smith
Lights on Set for Monterey County Film Shoot
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Turner & Hooch Set
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