5 Secret Superpowers of being a Background Actor

If you're dreaming of speaking roles, get to know the advantages - as well as 3 hidden pitfalls - of starting as an extra.

Background acting is an art all by itself, and a crucial part of cinematic storytelling. But if you do feel a hunger to make the leap to speaking roles, there’s no better time than now to become a “real” actor in Albuquerque. The Film and TV industry in New Mexico is booming - and ABQ has been named by Backstage as one of the best places to start an acting career in the United States. 

Maybe you’re one of the many NM locals who’s found footing in the industry by working as a background actor or “extra” here. You’ve become part of the fabric of the on-camera world - whether a city street, a bar, or in the wild west. Your presence has helped tell the story, and let the principal actors shine.

But perhaps you look at the lead actors and feel a secret yearning. Maybe you even think, “I can do that”.

And you know what? You’re right.

You CAN become a “real” actor. And believe it or not, there are some advantages that being an extra gives you. As well as some traps to be careful of.

So let's look at what strengths you already have as a background actor, how to avoid the pitfalls there might be... and what you can do to get the principal, speaking roles you're dreaming of!

Background Actor Advantages

• Being “natural” under artificial circumstances

As an extra you become part of the fabric of the world - whatever that world might be. Whether you’re a polished VIP party-goer, a rough-and-tumble member of a wild west saloon, or a commuter on a city street - your responsibility is to be REAL. You’re carefully cast to fit the context, clothed to blend into the environment, and given direction to create movement without being distracting. And then you bring your own art and skill to it.

As an extra you learn to be as relaxed and natural as possible, without pulling focus. No matter how many takes the production needs.

That skill of really “living” moment to moment under pressure, and despite repeated takes, is excellent training for future speaking roles.

• You learn more about how a set works

As a background actor, you get to see the often-unglamorous reality of how a set really works. You soon realize how much of being an actor of any kind on a shoot involves “hurry up and wait”. Hours of being in holding, or wardrobe, or makeup - and then a sudden urgent rush to deliver the goods in the magical 10 minutes as the sun rises.

Being on-set also helps you learn about the hierarchy of a film shoot, from the producers and director through the various ADs, down to the newest intern PA. You’ll become familiar with all the mysterious lingo (10-4!), so when you finally get that speaking role, you won’t feel like people are speaking code.

You’ll also lean how to hit your mark, and work with the all other departments to make the director’s vision come to life. Which brings us to…

• Teamwork

TV and Film are some of the most collaborative art forms that exist. Actors are a small part of a much bigger machine, with multiple departments working together to get the perfect shot. Being an extra allows you to see just how hard EVERYONE works behind the scenes to create those magical moments where the principal actors get to shine… so when it’s your time to carry the story, you’ll be able to serve the greater whole, knowing an entire team has your back. Just remember to thank them in your first awards acceptance speech!

• Networking

Being a background actor helps connect you with fellow creatives and industry folks. Your fellow extras can become a valuable community. They may well have insight into the craft or the business - info on local classes to take, photographers they like. And who knows - you might meet future collaborators amongst your fellow background actors, or amongst the crew. That PA might have dreams of directing, that Cam-Op might have their own equipment and want to make a DP reel. Making your own projects is where it’s at, so keep an open mind and heart, make friends as you earn a paycheck… because you never know where it might lead!

• Watching the pros work

Depending on the scene and the project, you might get a chance to watch the masters at work. If you’re lucky enough to be an extra-by-the-wall during an intense scene where the director and lead actors are collaborating together to tell the story, keep your head down and absorb as much as you can. After all - that might be you, someday!

Background Actor Traps

• Getting used to disappearing

The gift of “blending in” can be a double-edged sword. Often as an extra you want to do everything possible to NOT draw focus, to NOT stand out. As a result, Background actors usually need to squash their own impulses, and hide their unique individuality, in order to seamlessly melt into the world. But those very things - your spontaneous impulses, your unique weirdness, your undeniable “you”-ness - is what you’ll need to rediscover to really thrive as a principal actor.

• Thinking you know more than you do

As much as you can learn as an extra on-set, don’t get too too confident. As much as you might feel like you can hit your mark and maybe even do better than the lead actors you’re watching, trust us - the pressure hits different when it’s YOU in that scene!

Imagine producers and team-mates having worked for months in pre-production to get a location, design the world, create it, light it. All that money and time - and then everyone depends on you to deliver a high-stakes, emotional scene during the 5 minutes when the sun shines exactly down a canyon…

Is your training and craft strong enough to let you relax and be authentic? Can you stay in the truth of the moment with everyone depending on you, with just one take left? How will you react when the DP and Cam Op are hovering inches from your face for your close up? You better make sure your technique and craft are as solid as your confidence!

• Getting “stuck” as an extra

You might hear warnings about being seen in the industry as “just” an extra. While that’s out of your control, you may want to be careful about getting too comfortable with the “just-enough” ness of being a background actor. If you have genuine curiosity about trying speaking roles, you owe it to your artistic soul to give it a try.

And trust us - if you really do the work, and bring your craft and talent and skill into the room with you, no-one will care how many background jobs you’ve done. Because your honesty, vulnerability, and sense of truth will speak for itself.

So How do I Become a Principal Actor?

Take an acting class!

So now you’ve seen how many superpowers you have from your background acting - and what traps to avoid.

What better way to give yourself the tools you still need than by joining an acting class. Especially one run by an veteran industry member, and award-winning teacher, with real credits and ongoing real-world experience.

Here at Actors Space, we believe that everyone has a story to tell, and gifts to share. Your voice is unlike anyone else’s - and we want to help you discover your own impulses, and help you shine.

No matter who you are, now’s the time. With all your so-called flaws, your fears, your dreams.

We offer community, and a safe space to be brave. We want to show you the joys, freedom, and FUN of unleashing your self-expression - whilst building up your confidence and skills for the real world.

If you’re brave enough to dream it, we want to help you make it real.

So get in touch. Tell us what you need.

So when you do get that coveted close-up - you'll be more than ready.

We know there are many choices of acting school here in Albuquerque, and everyone needs something unique. So even though we were named "Best Acting School in ABQ" by Distinguished Teaching, and even though we have over 100 5-star Google reviews, we still want you to feel like you've found the right fit for YOU. That's why we always offer free 15 minute 1-on-1 zooms with Lauren Letherer herself, as well as free class visits whenever classes are in session. So sign up now for your zoom or audit, and ask us any questions you might have!

We can't wait to welcome you. Make every space your Actors Space.