I'm a Haunted Mansion sell-out, but I'm excited!

[AliKzam]

I was one of the first people to bash Disney for approaching the Haunted Mansion movie the way they are. I have been given some good points to the contrary: that the ride itself is comical, so it makes sense the movie is a comedy.
As some of you know, I do extra work. Today I have a fitting for the "Haunted Mansion", and I'm going to be wearing something of wardrobe's. I have no clue what I'll be playing, but I want to be in it, now. I tried so hard to be in "Pirates", but to no avail. Now I get to be in a movie based on my favorite ride, and I have to admit the thought is flattering that I might be able to point "myself" out in the ride. I am so there!
But I'll be the first to protest if Jennifer Tilly's head gets put in Madame Leota's crystal ball. Sacriledge.

[CaliforniaCrazy]

AliKzam, do you know where I can become an extra? Not just the Haunted Mansion, but any other movie being filmed? I've been dreaming for years to become an actor, at least an extra in a movie. Hey, it would sure beat Mickey-D's.

[merlinjones]

>>do you know where I can become an extra? Not just the Haunted Mansion, but any other movie being filmed? I've been dreaming for years to become an actor, at least an extra in a movie.<<

Pick up the LA Weekly. There are usually ads for several extras services in the classifieds.

[AliKzam]

First, you should join an extra's casting agency. An obvious one to join is Central Casting, located at 220 S Flower St. in Burbank. I can't remember the number, but 411 will know. It's good to call first, because there are specific days to join. It costs $20 to join, but with a lifetime membership.
Another good place to join is Hollywood O.S., which are located at 400 Beverly Drive South. Not 400 Beverly Blvd, not 400 Beverly Dr. 400 Beverly Drive South. I just say it because I got lost when I went to sign up with them. They're open Monday through Friday till about 5:00p. Hollywood O.S. is a place that holds about five or six casting agencies, specifically Sandi Alessi (the ones who've cast Pirates and Mansion). It'll cost you anywhere from $20-$40 to join, depending on how many agencies you want to sign up with. Also they sell a great book, Extra Work for Brain Surgeons , which has some great information you should know for extra work (legalities, etc).
Those should get you started. You'll hear about more from extras on the sets. You'll also hear about call-in services, which is what I use. If you want to book yourself, just join an agency. If you want others to book you (for a monthly fee), get a call-in service. Many times, you can get more work with a call-in service, except maybe when it's slow. A few call-in services are Cameo, Extra's Management and Networks. You'll get information on those when you sign up for an agency.
Extra work is a good job for you if: you like to sit around, you like free food, you like to see famous people and you like flexibility. Extra work is not the job for you if: you like to be treated with respect, you don't do well in the cold or the heat, you like making more than $1000 a month on a regular basis (even if you're union)... actually, this list could go on. It really could. There can be a lot of cons to extra work. I've been doing it to get my SAG vouchers. I have two, I need three. Many people get them in a few months or a year, but it's taken me a little longer. But I'm not bitter
Good luck.

[Morrigoon]

Ali:

I want to get a SAG card too, how do you get the vouchers? Is it from getting lines or just time on screen?

[AliKzam]

Well, if you could get your SAG card by having time on screen, I would so be SAG by now. I am going for the non-union record of three years (two more months)!
I've had so many instances where I should've gotten a voucher, only to be looked at funny and laughed/yelled at. It's ridiculous.
But I'm not bitter.
Okay, enough about me. To join SAG the traditional extra work way, you need three SAG vouchers (then you currently need $1360). People get these a number of ways. Most people ask at the beginning of the day, to which the extra coordinator usually says "We'll see at the end of the day" or "No!" They will then stand up and make the announcement loud enough to hear within a five mile radius "THERE ARE NO SAG VOUCHERS!!! SO DON'T ASK!!!"
I must express that people in this line of work aren't always friendly, and may take power trips where they can get them.
Other ways of obtaining SAG vouchers can be if not enough SAG extras are on set that day (minimum requirement is 15 for tv, 30-35 for film-- an insight into how many SAG members don't work every day). Or, if you're lucky enough to be given a line. Ways you can get a SAG voucher but they don't have to legally give you one are: if the actor interacts with you silently, you're very much on camera, or-- and this surprises a lot of people-- you become a stand-in for the day. I know this one for a fact because it happened to me. The show was short one stand-in, so they used me, and paid me the non-union stand-in rate ($75). I called SAG, who informed me that, yes, they can get away with that. I won't name names, but the show's sometimes fast with lanes involved. How's that for subtlety?
I got my first voucher because a movie was being filmed at my acting school. Volunteers who were accepted got a SAG voucher. The second one I received two years later on a film where they basically drew names (secretly), and picked my friend to get a voucher. When they informed her of it, she said she already had her three, and asked if I could have it. They said yes, isn't that nice?
I'm not going to name agency names on this one, because some people might think it's wrong for them to do that. It probably is, but I wonder how they got in?
I could go on about all the times I should've or almost got vouchers, but that's another thread.

[AliKzam]

Another way to get into SAG is to join AFTRA, and have a speaking role through them (like on a soap opera). After a year, you can join SAG.
AFTRA's different than SAG, as you can just go in, pay your money and join. You don't even have to pay all $1058 at once. You can do AFTRA jobs and have them take the money out of your paycheck. You'll essentially be working for free, but you'll be that much closer to your goal.
Of course, there's the possibilty of SAG and AFTRA merging into a union, and the merging with musicians and other performers into one big mother union his month. That would probably change things a little. But, once again, another forum, another thread.