A crowd scene actor is a type of background actor or extra who appears in crowd scenes in films, television shows, and other media productions. They are the people who fill up the background to make a scene look more realistic and give the illusion that the main characters are interacting in a populated space.
What Does a Crowd Scene Actor Do?
The main responsibility of a crowd scene actor is to blend seamlessly into the background action of a scene. They provide ambient noise and movement to help make the scene come alive. Some of the typical duties and tasks of a crowd scene actor include:
- Portraying everyday people in public settings like a park, mall, beach, concert, restaurant, etc.
- Walking, mingling, sitting, eating, drinking, talking, and interacting with their environment and other extras
- Reacting and responding to main actors and events in the scene
- Following directions from assistant directors and crew to hit marks, find light, repeat actions, etc.
- Getting into wardrobe and makeup to match the period, setting, and atmosphere of the production
- Collaborating with other background actors to create a cohesive, realistic crowd scene
- Performing simple actions like clapping, laughing, dancing, running, carrying items, etc.
The crowd actor’s performance should support the main action of the scene without pulling focus. Their acting is more subtle and restrained than featured actors. They provide a human backdrop that fleshes out the world of the story.
Other Names for Crowd Scene Actors
Crowd scene actors go by many other names in different parts of the entertainment industry including:
- Extras – The most common term used to refer to minor background actors
- Background actors – Refers to all types of bit part actors including crowds
- Background performers – Used more often on sets to describe crowds
- Atmosphere – Primarily used for crowd scenes in the UK
- Ambience performers – Used in Asia and India for crowds
- Scene enhancers – An optimistic term sometimes used by agents and casting directors
In general, “extra” is the most universally understood term, though “background actor” is increasingly preferred in many regions. They all refer to non-speaking performers who inhabit the world of the film or TV show.
How to Become a Crowd Scene Actor
Becoming a successful crowd scene actor involves some key steps:
- Research and Training – Take acting classes if possible and watch crowd scenes closely to understand how to blend in effectively.
- Create an Acting Resume – Have a resume highlighting any relevant special skills, training, and physical stats.
- Find an Agent or Casting Company – Many productions cast through agencies that specialize in background actors.
- Audition – Be prepared to audition to demonstrate you can take direction and blend in with a crowd.
- Apply for Gigs – Check sites like Casting Networks to find open casting calls and apply for crowd scene work.
- Work Consistently – Build up your resume by working as an extra as often as possible.
- Network – Get to know other background actors and exchange tips.
Proving you have the right look, attitude, and versatility to inhabit any crowd scene will lead to more work. Most crowd scene actors start by playing small roles and work their way up to more featured background parts and possibly speaking roles.
Skills and Qualities
To be a successful crowd scene actor, some helpful skills and qualities include:
- Blending ability – The ability to naturally meld into any crowd and not pull focus
- Collaboration – Working together with other extras to create a realistic scene
- Observation – Closely observing real crowd behaviors to inform performances
- Verstatility – Able to portray a wide range of characters and personalities
- Active listening – Carefully following directions from crew and co-stars
- Reliability – Showing up on time ready to work
- Patience – Able to handle long hours and potential tediousness of background work
Pay and Working Conditions
Most crowd scene actors start working as unpaid volunteers to build their resumes and get experience. Once you begin working on professional productions, pay rates are typically per day with rates mandated by guilds like SAG-AFTRA. Typical pay rates include:
| Production Type | Typical Daily Pay Rate |
|---|---|
| Student films | $100 per day |
| Low budget films and shows | $150 – $250 per day |
| Commercials | $300 – $500 per day |
| Major TV shows | $500 – $1,000 per day |
| Big budget movies | $500 – $2,000+ per day |
Crowd scene actors are categorized as freelance workers. Income is irregular and based on how many jobs you book. Most crowd actors have day jobs and work as extras on the side or between steady gigs. Work days can be long with many takes and crowd resets. The work itself also involves a lot of standing, walking, and repeating actions.
Types of Crowd Scenes
Crowd scene actors may portray all kinds of backgrounds and populate many different settings. Some typical types of crowd scenes include:
Street Scenes
These scenes showcase public spaces like sidewalks, city parks, and bus stops. The crowd provides urban bustle and energy like passersby, shoppers, joggers, bicyclists, street performers, etc.
Restaurant Scenes
Restaurant crowd scenes involve patrons talking, eating, drinking, and laughing to provide realism. More involved actions may include perusing menus, flagging down waiters, and occassionally some food eating tricks.
Beach Scenes
For beach settings, crowds are active swimming, playing games, sunbathing, walking along the water, throwing a frisbee, building sandcastles, and enjoying the sun.
Concert Scenes
Concert crowds are enthusiastic responding to music by dancing, cheering, singing along, waving hands, holding up lighters, crowd surfing, and wearing band merch.
Party Scenes
Parties require groups mingling, dancing, singing, playing drinking games, and other party antics. Costumes sometimes come into play.
Sports Event Scenes
Sports crowds cheer on their team by doing “the wave”, holding up signs, eating stadium food, standing in anticipation, and erupting in cheers and high fives.
Marching Protest Scenes
For protests, crowds hold picket signs, chant slogans, march through streets, face counter protesters, and dramatize confrontations with police.
The diversity of potential crowd scenes provides constant opportunities for background actors. Key is understanding the mood and actions appropriate to each setting and portraying them believably.
Working as a Professional Extra
Once you start working consistently as a paid crowd scene actor, there are some important professional tips to keep in mind:
- Always arrive early and ready to work
- Follow all instructions from crew members
- Wear minimal make-up and removable clothing for quick outfit changes
- Keep phone off and maintain quiet on set
- Don’t engage main cast members unless instructed
- Stay energized and patient through long hours and delays
- Don’t publicly complain about productions you work on
- Network respectfully with fellow extras
Professionalism is crucial to keep getting consistent crowd scene work. Handling even boring tasks with a positive attitude makes directors remember you.
Potential for Larger Roles
Many actors get their SAG cards and start their careers working as extras. With enough persistence, some are able to move up to larger featured extra roles, under-five lines, and eventually larger speaking roles. Famous actors who got their starts as extras include:
- Brad Pitt – Dressed as a chicken for Another Stakeout
- Channing Tatum – Featured extra in Coach Carter
- Jennifer Lawrence – Abercrombie model in The Devil You Know
- Megan Fox – Background dancer in Bad Boys II
While very competitive, with the right talents, looks, and attitude, some crowd scene actors are able to leverage background work and make connections leading to their big break. Even for working actors, extra work can provide networking opportunities and a source of income between larger roles.
Conclusion
Crowd scene actors, also known as extras, background actors or atmosphere, play an vital role in the filmmaking process. Though anonymous and unseen, the crowds they bring to life fill out fictional worlds and provide backdrops of reality for stories to unfold. While often tedious work, background acting can also serve as a stepping stone for bigger roles and an insider chance to observe movie magic up close.