In 2013, Maral Cavner graduated with highest honors with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Emory University in Atlanta. With hundreds of movies and shows being filmed in Atlanta each year, Maral Cavner took the opportunity to participate, appearing in Anchorman 2, Prisoners, Insurgent - The Divergent Series, Million Dollar Arm, The Good Lie, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, and The Hunger Games: Mockingly Part 2.
There are ways you can get involved in acting too, one of them being serving as an extra on set. While being a movie or TV extra will not skyrocket you to fame or riches, it can provide an entertaining way to make a bit of extra cash while getting an inside look at how films and shows are made. These three tips will help you find work as an extra, provided you are near a location with regular filming.
1. Find an Agency - Look for casting agencies in your area, then see if they are on Facebook. Many agencies use Facebook to post available work and select actors. Some casting agencies, however, select extras from an internal database. Registration for these databases is typically free, and once you are in an agency’s system, you have a greater chance of finding work.
2. Have a Photo - While your photos do not have to be professional headshots, they should be clear and high quality, without any filters or Photoshop work. Choose and submit photos that accurately display your appearance, as agencies will want to know what you look like. Note that you do not need to look like a star athlete or supermodel; agencies often use all types of people.
3. Maintain Set Etiquette - Once you find a gig, maintaining proper set etiquette helps ensure you keep it. Never take photos on set, and never leak any details about the project. These are sure ways to get yourself blacklisted from an agency and possibly the entire industry. Similarly, do not try to strike up a conversation with the production’s stars. The general rule is not to interact with them unless they speak to you first.
There are ways you can get involved in acting too, one of them being serving as an extra on set. While being a movie or TV extra will not skyrocket you to fame or riches, it can provide an entertaining way to make a bit of extra cash while getting an inside look at how films and shows are made. These three tips will help you find work as an extra, provided you are near a location with regular filming.
1. Find an Agency - Look for casting agencies in your area, then see if they are on Facebook. Many agencies use Facebook to post available work and select actors. Some casting agencies, however, select extras from an internal database. Registration for these databases is typically free, and once you are in an agency’s system, you have a greater chance of finding work.
2. Have a Photo - While your photos do not have to be professional headshots, they should be clear and high quality, without any filters or Photoshop work. Choose and submit photos that accurately display your appearance, as agencies will want to know what you look like. Note that you do not need to look like a star athlete or supermodel; agencies often use all types of people.
3. Maintain Set Etiquette - Once you find a gig, maintaining proper set etiquette helps ensure you keep it. Never take photos on set, and never leak any details about the project. These are sure ways to get yourself blacklisted from an agency and possibly the entire industry. Similarly, do not try to strike up a conversation with the production’s stars. The general rule is not to interact with them unless they speak to you first.
