Earn £250 in Just One Day: Secrets to Making Money as a Film or TV Extra

Getting to Know the Role

If you’ve ever fantasized about appearing on the silver screen or simply seek an enjoyable method to supplement your income, working as a film extra or “supporting artist” could be a rewarding opportunity.

Extras are individuals who fill the scenes of TV shows, movies, and commercials to give them a sense of authenticity—imagine the patrons in the pub from EastEnders or pedestrians outside Slough House in the Apple TV+ series Slow Horses.

These supporting artists generally require no prior acting experience and are not expected to speak lines.

Register with Agencies

Begin by signing up with one or several agencies such as Uni-versal Extras, Extra People, Ray Knight Casting, Phoenix Casting, or Casting Collective.

These agencies may charge registration fees, take commissions on your earnings, or both. For instance, Phoenix Casting asks for a £30 plus VAT annual fee (deducted from your first job payment) and a commission of 15% to 20%, whereas Casting Collective offers free registration but takes a 20% commission on earnings.

Trustworthy agencies will be transparent about any fees right from the start. Steer clear of any that ask for large upfront payments or promise guaranteed work as these are often signs of scams.

According to Casting Collective, extras can typically expect to earn between £150 and £250 per day.

This payment is usually determined by a union pay scheme, rather than the agency itself.

In London and the southeast of England, FAA/Pact (Film Artistes’ Association/Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television) rates are usually applied, while Pact/Equity rates are used elsewhere.

Different rates such as BBC Equity and ITV Equity are applicable if you are cast for a “continuing drama series” on those networks.

Compensation typically includes a base rate for the day or night, plus holiday pay and overtime, with enhanced rates for bank holidays.

Additional fees may be added for specific requirements like attending a separate costume fitting, providing multiple outfit options, haircuts, swimming, getting wet, driving, or speaking lines.

Theo Fraser, a 25-year-old PR worker, shared his experience working as an extra in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 war film Dunkirk: “I was tasked with walking up and down the station platform, handing out beers to returning soldiers. I earned about £250 for a day’s work, plus an additional £50 for allowing them to cut my hair.”

For advertisements, the pay is usually higher and may also include a “buyout” fee for the ongoing use of your image or recording.

Be Alert for Casting Calls

These occur when a production invites applications from anyone meeting specific criteria, not just those enlisted with agencies.

Casting calls are common when productions require a large number of extras with a particular appearance, such as for military roles.

Such opportunities may be advertised on social media or local community boards.

In the UK, major TV and film studios include Pinewood in Buckinghamshire, Shepperton in Surrey, and Elstree and Leavesden, both in Hertfordshire. However, opportunities are not confined to these areas.

Indiana West, head of marketing at Uni-versal Extras, points out: “While living closer to major production hubs might theoretically increase the frequency of opportunities, filming occurs throughout the UK and Ireland, from quaint towns to picturesque rural areas.”

She adds, “Productions make significant efforts to ensure sets are accessible to everyone, often providing shuttle services from nearby town centers or train stations.”

Build Your Profile

Agencies will require your basic information (name, age, address, etc.) and much more. This includes your physical statistics like height, clothing size, hair color, any tattoos or piercings, and skills such as driving, sports, or dancing abilities.

You’ll need to provide a headshot, a full-body photo, and sometimes pictures in business attire, uniforms, or sports gear.

Vicky Wilson, a support manager at Casting Collective, advises: “Keep your profile current and accurate. Clear, recent photos showing your current look, updated measurements, and any new skills or appearances can significantly increase your chances of being matched with roles.”

“Adding a few extra photos can also make you more noticeable for a wider variety of roles.”

Obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (£21.50 via the government website) can boost your opportunities, especially in productions involving children.

Stay Prepared for Work

Job notifications will come via email or text, often under code names to maintain confidentiality.

The message will detail the role (e.g., a passerby), approximate location, call time, and estimated completion time. You must confirm your availability and may be “pencilled in” or “heavily pencilled in” if shortlisted. If not selected, you will be “released” later; if booked, the exact details will usually be sent the night before on the “call sheet.”

Expect to Wait

Working as an extra is far from glamorous—often involving long hours, waiting, and meticulous adherence to directions. You might spend hours in costume or makeup, endure the rain, or repeat the same scene throughout the day.

Avoid getting starstruck—extras should not approach lead actors or request selfies or autographs. Most sets prohibit taking photos or videos, and mobile phones might be taken away during filming.

Bring something to occupy yourself, like a book, as you will likely face lengthy periods of downtime.

Earn Compensation for Travel and Meals

Extras are also compensated for travel—how much depends on the distance and timing. Productions adhering to Equity rates may pay from £4 to £20 for travel, with an additional £9 for early calls (before 6am, 7am on Sundays or bank holidays).

FAA/Pact pays £16.12 for calls within London travel zones 1-3, and £22.54 for calls at studios like Elstree, Pinewood, and others, with an extra £19.73 for early call times.

Meals are typically provided on set. When not, compensation ranges from £5 to £25 per meal, based on meal type, location, and union rates. You’ll receive additional pay if a meal break is delayed, shortened, or skipped.

Verify Your Employment Status

As an extra, you are considered self-employed, meaning you must handle your own tax and national insurance contributions.

Under the HM Revenue and Customs “trading allowance” rules, you can earn up to £1,000 tax-free each year from various side activities. If you earn more, you must register as self-employed and file a self-assessment tax return.

Flexibility is Key

This type of work is ideal for students, freelancers, and retirees with flexible schedules. It’s less suitable for those who require a consistent routine, as filming days can be lengthy and subject to change without much notice.

Simon Turner, a 68-year-old photographer from south London, has appeared in about 25 productions, including Netflix’s The Crown and Slow Horses. He shares, “You need to maintain a very flexible schedule… the odds of being selected are low (less than one in 20 for me), but once you accept, you’re expected to keep that day free. If selected, you’ll know a few days ahead. If not, they might wait until the last minute to inform you—which can be quite frustrating.”