By Pedro Sabino
Most of the films fans would probably cherish the idea of being able to someday meet and interact with their favorite movie stars. Achieving this goal seems to be very difficult for an average person that is not related to the Entertainment industry. However, working with your favorite movie stars could be easier than you think. In this article, I will explain how you can accomplish this and possibly be on the way to become one of them.
On each film, there are different roles played by different categories of actors. Among these roles, there is one played by most of the people who work on the film industry, the extras, also known as background actors. Though the distinction is valid, many in the industry call them indistinctly. These are the people walking on the streets, driving vehicles or just walking behind the principal actors in the film.
You probably know this, but if you ever thought that these people you see playing these roles are just casual pedestrians who happened to pass by during the film shooting, think again. They are background actors, who are paid to do this job.
Many of these people are professional actors, members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), who work playing these roles to gain experience while they work their way up the ladder in search of that key principal role that may launch them to stardom. In the meantime, they keep themselves busy working as background actors, commonly known as extras. It is a dignifying and well-paid job if you are unionized.
Though getting to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is not a given and sometimes can take a few years to accomplish, some people are lucky enough to get the three waivers in a few months. This depends on specific production needs and being in the right place at the right time. The waivers, are payroll vouchers given to non-union extras when the production company cannot recruit enough union actors to comply with a required quota of union actors employed in each union film. It may just happen too that they could not find the union actor with the specific traits or abilities they were looking for to play very specific roles. These vouchers open the doors of the union to non-union people.
To be eligible to become a member of SAG, which represents most of the professional actors of the United States film industry, the non-union worker needs to get three waivers, which means that this person must be hired three times and be paid at union rates. However, there are other shortcuts to become a SAG member. If you get a speaking role on a SAG signatory commercial or film, you can join the union after paying the fee, which is around $ 2,200.00 in L. A. and N. Y. and 1,700.00 in Boston.
Working with movie stars, though, does not mean that you are welcome to approach them and start a conversation while you are on set with them, as you would do with your best pal. There are strict regulations in the industry in terms of the type of interaction that is allowed by the principal actors. This is because for you it may just be fun, but for them is hard work. They have to focus and work hard to play their roles in the best way possible. However, if they approach you and start a conversation, you are welcome to engage them until they decide to withdraw. After that, just keep doing your job and let them go back to do their own.
Some movie stars are very kind and affable and they start conversations with the background actors, regardless of their union status. One of these cases is Henry Winkler, the actor who played the role of Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli in the '70s - '80s Happy Days sitcom. Winkler was a major player in the film Here Comes the Boom, starring Kevin James and Salma Hayek, which is currently in post-production. He not only frequently engaged the audience during the downtime, he even allowed people to take pictures with him, something mostly forbidden on set.
Now that you know how you might get to work with your favorite movie stars, you need to take some steps if you want to make it happen. First, register yourself in all legitimate casting agencies in your state and other states in your region. By doing this you will be able to receive casting call messages to which you can submit. However, only do so if you are available and committed to going to work. Casting directors have a very good memory and they hate no-shows.
Now if you really have the drive and passion to get involved in the film industry, you just need to take action. Who knows you may become a movie star too. However, you don't go to battle with bare your hands. Get the tools you need, take some acting classes, improve yourself every day, and be ready when you get your opportunity to shine.
In respect to the casting calls, you need to be a little skeptical with some of them. Most professional actors recommend don't pay any casting agency to get you jobs, this is because casting agencies work for the producers not for you. The only ones you should pay a commission for getting you gigs is your agent. However, before you can get an agent you need to gain experience. They will not take you in if you are just starting unless you are already a celebrity in another field of life.
Finally, you must have tough skin because maybe your friends and even your family will not support you and may instead make fun of you. Just don't pay attention to them and work hard every day, keep focused, as in any other career, and you will make it. In the end, what really matters is that your dreams are yours only and they can turn in goals if you work systematically to reach them. You have the right to work in the job you love so much, do not let anybody discourage you, do not let them take away your right.
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