Want to be an ‘extra’ in Hocus Pocus 2 or Spirited? Here’s what you need to know – SouthCoastToday.com

NEW BEDFORD With movies such as Hocus Pocus 2, Spirited, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Boston Strangler filming around the area, many scenes will also require background actors and anyone can submit.

What is a background actor? Also known as an extra, its a performer in a film or television production who appears in the background of a scene as a nonspeaking character.

Actors can get hired to be on a set for one day or 100 days. For example, Kathy C. An(also know as "Bokhee")has appeared in the background as a scrub nurse in every season of Greys Anatomy 267 episodes to be exact.

In fact, professional background actors who work weekly on a set can make around $58,000 annually.

You don't need any acting experience, says Lorna Brunelle, who has been with Boston Casting for 22 years. For background actors, it's not really so much about skill. It's about the look.

Brunelle has served as an acting coach, a consultant, a casting director and a teacher while at the Boston casting agency. She is also a freelance casting agent and a teacher at the Burtwood School of Performing Arts in Middleboro.

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We have a file and anyone interested in background work can upload their two photos and contact information, she said. And then we just automatically send emails out and then the potential background actor can respond, Yes or no, if they're available.

Brunelle says her best advice is to have a great attitude if selected to be on a set. I always attributed this to being like at a masterclass that you get paid for, she said. Youre on set with A-list celebrities watching them work their craft in front of you.

Matt Bouldry, president of CP Casting, has cast roles for Boston-based movies such as Little Women, Jungleland, Manchester by the Sea and Spotlight.

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Being available and showing up to work, on time, with the right wardrobe is a golden rule, he added. Bouldry is casting roles for "Hocus Pocus 2, alongside Kendall Cooper Casting who is in charge of casting extras.

Interested in being a background actor? Heres some advice from Brunelle and Bouldry on what to expect and how to act on a film set:

When submitting a photo for consideration, it doesnt have to a professional headshot. In fact, the casting experts say that a selfie in natural lighting will suffice. Clear photos that are candid and recent, said Bouldry. We want to know what you look like exactly, today, and when you show up on the set you look just like your photo.

As Brunelle said before, casting background is all about the look. It's all about the pieces of the puzzle, she added.

Although the photo doesnt have to be in a specific costume, people submitting should still be smart. A hairstyle or the way a beard is trimmed, might get you selected over others, Brunelle said, specifically if its for a period-piece.

It doesnt matter if an actor has 50 credits or zero on their resume. The casting experts say being honest and brief about your past experiences help to indicate what kind of work ethic youll have while on set.

If someone says, I've been an extra on this and that, it helps, it means they know what to expect and survived being an extra and want to do it again, said Bouldry.

Brunelle says that you dont need acting experience, just common sense. Background actors will get directed and its then your job to select the right emotion or reaction.

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Brunelle also said that once you lock in your reaction or movement for the scene, its important to continue doing the same thing for continuity.

What is continuity? Its ensuring all the details in a scene are consistent from shot to shot so that when a scene is edited it flows seamlessly giving a sense of realism.

If they're shooting a scene where everyone has to have those same reactions of surprise, said Brunelle. You want to reenact that over and over again consistently.

it's also important that you don't distract or pull focus.

Film sets are all about keeping to a schedule. If selected, you will be scheduled for a COVID-19 screening, a wardrobe fitting and then given a call time for reporting to set. Its expected that youre not a minute late.

To quote William Shakespeare, Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. Brunelle says the goal should be to show up early being on time is a major rule.

Film life is all about hurrying up to be ready… only to wait around until youre needed. Crew members want to be able to snap their fingers and have someone ready at once.

The whole industry is about being on time, being gracious, smiling and just knowing that you're going to have to wait, Bruenelle said.

Arrive early and well rested, Bouldry added.

In rare cases, some background actors might sit the entire day waiting only to not be used at all. Its all part of the business. Still, they are being paid.

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Movies generally film about 2 minutes of a movie per day, Bouldry said. Expect a lot of WAITING around.

In one example, while filming an outside scene in Providence, cast and crew sat around for three hours waiting for a cloud to stop blocking the sun before resuming filming.

Filming can go for at least 12 hours. If youre over the age of 18, Brunelle says to expect to be on set for 12 to 16 hours. Even if filming starts at 5 p.m., the shoot may become an overnight experience. And dont expect a wrap (end) time.

It's never appropriate to ask anyone when you're going to start shooting or how long you're going to be there, Brunelle said. It's not cool to repeatedly ask when you're wrapping or when break is.

Thus, Brunelle says to plan accordingly such as packing snacks, making sure the garage you parked your car in is open 24 hours so youre not locked out at the end of a shoot. Brunelle also suggests getting a friend to do background with you, so you can carpool.

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Although, every six hours actors are served a meal and usually snacks and drinks are available.

Also, when deciding on wardrobe, Brunelle said when she first did background acting, she made the mistake of wearing high heels and standing in them for 16 hours. Her best advice, specifically to women, is to think hard on what types of outfits they feel comfortable wearing all day long.

Being upgraded on a set means that you could be select to be more front and center in a scene or be given a line. Bouldry says there are usually eight to 10 upgrades during a movie.

Brunelle said while filming background for the film Ted, she was upgraded because the production team liked the Kentucky Derby-like hat she was wearing. The next thing she knew, she was sitting in the front row in the wedding scene.

Brunelle also said its not unusual for a director to select a background actor to react with a line such as Whoa, thats awesome or Wow.

However, background actors should wait to be directed and never suggest anything to the director or ask if they can say a line. Its the directors vision, not yours, she said.

Brunelle said one of the cardinal rules of a film set is to never take a photo and post it on social media before the release of the film.

A lot of actors that start out, get super excited and post all over social media, said Brunelle. Its inappropriate because it can spoil plotlines, in some cases, and also give away location shoots that are under wraps.

However, Brunelle saidthat, if allowed, actors shouldnt be afraid to take pictures to relive the memories and post after the film premieres.

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Bouldry also says that actors should never interact with the cast members. Actors can be booted from a set easily. Actors need to stay focused for the performance and shouldnt have to worry about being interrupted by a fan.

You don't really engage unless they're engaging with you, Brunelle said.

Finally, Brunelle and Bouldry both echo to most importantly have a positive attitude while on the set. Its exciting to be on a film set, but it can also be exhausting.

Positivity is key.

There is a lot of waiting and people are sort of like put off by that in the beginning, Brunelle said. But it's really just about getting a great product in the end. Its about taking multiple takes over and over and over and over again.

Like everything that you invest in; if it's gonna be perfect, you have to be patient. Just keep a positive mindset… Youre here. You made it!

If interested in doing background or be considered for a role in a film, you can enter your information into the database for Boston Casting and/or CP Casting here.

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached atschitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

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Want to be an 'extra' in Hocus Pocus 2 or Spirited? Here's what you need to know - SouthCoastToday.com