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Working on Movies is Extra Cool (pg. 2)

Dec 27, 2006

So, you caught a glimpse into the life of a movie extra and you're dying to know more about this super-cool job - like how much dosh you can make! Don't be afraid to head back to Part 1 of Kidzworld's profile on Amy Nygaard to find out which sets she's worked on and what a typical day at work is like for her, as a movie extra!

The Extra Cool Factors

"I think the best thing about my job is watching the actors work - watching Ben Affleck work," Amy says. "There's a lot of waiting around so you have lots of time to just sit and watch. And there's usually really good food."

The Extra Lame Factors

Movies have to shoot whenever the time is right - and a lot of the time that means at night, outside. Sometimes Amy has to work from 6 PM to 6 AM, outside, in the cold. Not fun. And about 70 percent of the time, she has to work over 12 hours a day! Think you could handle it?

Extra Acting Tidbits You Might Not Know

Under no circumstances are you allowed to approach or talk to celebs on a set you are working on. So if you think extra work is a great way to meet all your Hollywood idols, think again. If a celeb approaches you, that's totally cool but you have to remember that this is work and not a movie premiere - so leave those cameras at home!

Making Some Extra Cash

The average extra will make about $10 per hour for the first eight hours of work. If they need you to stay on set longer, you make more money as the hours drag on. Every hour after 12 hours of work you'll make $20 an hour.

Words of Advice for Future Extras
Here's what Amy has to tell ya: "Get an agent. Even if you only want to work during the summer, get an agent just for the summer. And talk to your parents because they're the ones who are going to have to take you to all the sets and sit with you while you wait to go on."

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