do extras make enough for a living?

[Semidevil]

you know in movies, there are always people, who never get the leading role....and always end up playing as a minor support character. I'm not talking about the ones who walk by the screen...i'm talking about the ones that get the speaking part, but nonetheless, are still not the focus of the story, i.e, the police officer, the office guy, or the antagonists side kick.

Do thesey type of roles in movies give these actors enough income, even though it is minor, or do they actually have a seperate job?

how much on average, would their income be?

 

[Aves]

Those people are usually also waiters in restaurants waiting for a real break.

 

[nageov3t]

depends on how much work they're getting... if you're getting steady work, I'd imagine that it's possible to live off of the income, though it would be a pretty frugal lifestyle. but most probably don't get steady work and acting is probably their side job.

 

[Philippine Mango]

N O spells yes?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Semidevil
you know in movies, there are always people, who never get the leading role....and always end up playing as a minor support character. I'm not talking about the ones who walk by the screen...i'm talking about the ones that get the speaking part, but nonetheless, are still not the focus of the story, i.e, the police officer, the office guy, or the antagonists side kick.

Do thesey type of roles in movies give these actors enough income, even though it is minor, or do they actually have a seperate job?

how much on average, would their income be?

There is a huge difference between non-speaking extras and those that do speak.

There are minimums involved for speaking "actors" Vs just fill in extras.

That being said even if you are a speaking part actor getting only extra type work you will need to have a real job as the other poster said.

 

[thomasthom]

if they're playing someone like a lawyer they make good money

 

[PoPPeR]

probably not. Too much money goes towards paying Ben Affleck 10 million for another dismal performance

 

[Gatecrasher3]

There is a huge difference between non-speaking extras and those that do speak. <<<very true, my friend got 25 grand for one damn line.

but i have been an extra in a few movies and let me tell you that it stinks, you get around 75 bucks and get home at 5 am