Jaunted

Most background actors attend an open casting call a few weeks before the shoot starts. For those who don’t live in Michigan, this may be a problem. If you are willing to travel to an audition knowing you may have to return, there are several websites listing casting calls. The best is Michigan Extras. You must be a registered user (sign up is free) to see the full list of open casting calls. If there is a specific movie you are interested in, check out the movie’s page on IMDb, as the casting company may post a notice in the forum.

You can also register with a casting company that will call you if one of their clients needs background actors. Motor City Casting and the City of Novi’s Movie Extra Database are both reliable agencies. Beware of scams: If a company wants you to pay a high fee to register, it's probably not legit.

The easiest way to become an extra, especially for out-of-towners, is to simply watch the local papers. If a production company is filming a scene that requires hundreds of extras, they'll post a notice in the local rag giving the locations, times and a list of any special wardrobe requirements. The upcoming Rob Schneider movie “Virgin on Bourbon Street” did this when they needed a large crowd for a street party scene they were filming in Detroit. Anyone who shows up is put in the movie.

While there's usually no pay for "work" like this, you will get to brag to your friends about your movie debut. Storm the right set, and you may even become a famous travel writer!

Related Stories:
· Chasing Michigan coverage [Jaunted]
· Movie Set Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Model D]