Participation in the filming of television programs as a viewer for money. How much does it cost to be an extra during filming – Salaries

When filming a movie or television program, you need a “background” against which all the events take place. These are people depicting crowds in markets, stadiums or spectators in a talk show studio. Whatever you may think, they also receive a salary, in some cases it becomes their permanent or additional income.

An original way to generate income

Participation in crowd scenes of films is mainly available only to residents of the capital. If it happens away filming, then provincials or villagers can also get into the frame.

Many people are eager to take part in filming, especially since they also pay for it.

The main motivation lies in the interesting possibilities:

  • see your favorite stars in close proximity;
  • find out how filming takes place from the inside;
  • see what is left behind the scenes;
  • earn a little money.

The table shows the income of extras in various television projects:

Their profits depend on the channel they operate on:

Earnings of extras on the set of feature films and television series:

Name Role performed RUR USD
"History of War" soldiers, orderlies, civilians 700 10,93
"Sklif" patients and clinic visitors 790 12,33
"Jumble" teachers, physical teacher, parents 600 9,37
"Crew" people in the waiting room 600
"Unjured" gay guy 2000 31,72
— / — walrus for christening 2000
"City" shopping center visitor 700 10,93
"Molodezhka" cafe visitor 800 12,19
"Fighter" police officer, secretary 800
"Hotel "Eleon" waiter 1000 15,61

Such amounts are earned in 1 day (8 hours). If a film requires filming a funeral procession, then each extra playing the role of a dejected walker receives 800 rub. ($12.49) per 8 hour shift.


They pay for the image of a corpse in the frame from 4000 to 6000 rubles. ($62 -94). For filming in a commercial, an extra receives from 1000 rub.

In Ukraine, people pay from 50 to 300 UAH($1.89 – 11.35). Very active earn up to 1500 UAH($56.73) per day. These are mainly pensioners, students and schoolchildren who have time but no money.

How to join the world of cinema?

In order to appear in the background in a movie or TV show, you need to register and leave your application on special sites that offer such vacancies. For example, Extras.ru. The recruitment of extras is carried out by foremen, selecting them based on their photos.

They have a number of criteria that the candidate must meet.

Each program or series has its own requirements.

If the candidacy is approved, an invitation is sent by email indicating the time of the shooting. You need to arrive early. At the entrance to the studio, the foremen hand out to the participants tokens. After the shooting they will be exchanged for your salary.


Then everyone is invited to the studio, where they must strictly fulfill the directors’ requirements - clap when told, laugh when signaled, etc. Filming continues 12 hours and more, people stay until late at night. The task of extras in a political show is not to laugh and not to sleep.

Sometimes members of the extras are fed during breaks between filming, and sometimes they are asked to take food and water with them from home.


Minor troubles can await you in the studio:

  • at the last moment they will be refused due to unsuitable appearance;
  • Due to late filming, you may miss the metro;
  • you cannot leave the studio before other extras;
  • payment is made on a blank statement.

In addition to the extras, there are also individuals who are shown in close-up.

They are allowed to say a few words or make a certain movement.

They pay several times more for this.

One extra is allocated 1200 – 2500 rub.. ($18.7 – 39). Everything that the extras were underpaid ends up in the pockets of the foremen and their patrons.

Revenue in other countries

Regular extras in America have their own guild - S.A.G.. They are taken to filming first of all. According to the law, you cannot hire strangers until you are provided with at least a job 510 people from the guild.


If you do not have an acting education, and the main roles in films are not destined for you, then there is only one option left, how to get into the crowd on a TV show and filming.

1. Almost everything takes place in Moscow, so if you don’t live there, then you need to come or fly there.

2. The second thing you should do is take good photos. It will be enough to take one photo with a close-up of your face, and one full-length photo. Photos must be of high quality and taken in the studio, and not against the backdrop of a carpet or sofa. You will need photographs both printed on photo paper and on a flash drive in electronic form. On the printed photographs, on the back side you need to write your data, such as: last name and first name, date of birth, education, experience in filming, and of course your phone number and e-mail. Many people forget to sign their photos and then wonder why no one invites them to be part of the crowd.

3. In the article, we have already mentioned the casting portal, the social network of actors TTTV.ru and the website Castingy.ru, where, in addition to castings, they publish up-to-date information about recruiting extras in cinema and TV. First, you will need to register on these sites in order to gain access to the contact information of the extras foreman, who sign up for the extras. After that, you can go to these sites every day and select suitable crowd shooting for yourself for the coming days. Some extras foremen sign up for filming by phone, some by e-mail, and the most advanced ones by Viber and WhatsApp. Also on these portals you can subscribe to the newsletter for current filming of extras, which will be sent to you by email. Paid registration on casting portals should not scare away those who want to get into the crowd, since even one day of filming will cover the cost of registration on the site, and then you can act as an extra every day, if only you had the time and desire.

4. After you have been signed up as an extra and you have come to shoot for the first time with this extras foreman, ask him if he can leave your photo for future projects. If you establish yourself as an adequate person, then in the future the foreman will be able to call you not to a crowd scene, but to a group or even an episode with words. Groups and episodes pay more than filming as an extra, and filming in them is more interesting than walking in the background. Now you know why we recommended you take good photos in the second paragraph of the article.

5. Also on casting portals you can place your profile, photo and your phone number in the database of actors in crowd scenes, and the crowd foremen themselves will call you and invite you to filming. Your task is to notify as much as possible all the people who select extras for their projects, so you need to use all the opportunities. It often happens that crowd foremen and acting assistants select extras for their projects according to a certain type, so they go to casting portals and look through the entire available database of actors for crowd scenes. When they see your photos and realize that you suit them, they immediately call and invite you to shoot.

6. While filming as an extra, you should also contact your new colleagues, from whom you can learn about other crowd foremen with whom you can sign up for other filming. Each extra actor has a list of foremen, although not everyone shares them.

Now let’s summarize what was said above so that you fully understand how to get into the crowd on TV shows and movies:

1. We take high-quality photographs.

2. Register on casting portals, for example, TTTV.ru and Castingy.ru (but there are others). We fill out our crowd scene actor form, daily review current offers for filming in crowd scenes and contact the foreman.

3. During the shooting, we behave appropriately and follow all the commands of the extras foreman, after which we hand him our signed photos.

4. Communicate with other extras and exchange information with them about filming and the people who record it.

The film studio "Moscow Cinema" invites everyone who wants to earn extra income to take part in the filming of television programs and films for money. The payment is decent, daily. Advantage - residents of Moscow and the Moscow region. Extras of all ages are invited - from children and schoolchildren to students, young mothers on maternity leave and pensioners.

Requirements: age does not matter, education - any, city - preferably Moscow (but not required).
Salary: 2800 rubles per shooting day.
Contacts: via e-mail or phone.

Participation in crowd scenes in films and television shows

To participate in crowd scenes on the set of television shows and film series, we are looking for those who want to get a decent part-time job for real money (paid daily). Filming takes place in Moscow and the Moscow region (depending on the TV show or movie). With parental consent, work in filming as an extra or in roles is possible for children of any age (paid).

Requirements: any age, location of participation in the crowd - Moscow (registration is not important).
Salary: 30-80 thousand per week.
Please contact this website or email address.

People go to a TV show as a spectator or a character for various reasons. Some sincerely believe that this could be the beginning of a great career on television. Others hope to receive a substantial fee for an interesting time spent. Still others go for new sensations - it’s great to be on the set of a popular program, to see famous presenters and celebrity guests with your own eyes!

It seems to many that only a select few or slightly more fortunate people than themselves participate in television projects. Is it so? The editors of the site talk about some ways to become a participant in a TV show.


Method 1. Excursion

Yandex and Google find an excursion called “How TV shows are made” with the first request. It consists of a walk around the Ostankino television center and filming in a program that-must-not-be-named with Elena Malysheva, and if you don’t know, then it’s good that this cup has passed you by.

During the 2-2.5 hour excursion you will see the studios of famous television projects, as well as the famous Ostankino staircases and corridors in which the cult films “Sorcerers”, “Brother-2” and many others were filmed. But your finest hour awaits you on the set of the program “Live Healthy!” — Elena Malysheva often uses guests to demonstrate educational skits about our health (the main thing is not to wear a sweater with a high neck, if you know what we mean).

To participate in the excursion and obtain a pass to the Ostankino television center you will need: an original Russian passport (for children over 10 years old - birth certificate), registration in Moscow or the Moscow region (if any), a travel document upon arrival in Moscow for up to 90 days (for guests of the capital, as well as those who do not have a registration document).

Method 2. Castings via the Internet and more

Advertisements for recruiting viewers and participants for TV shows can be found both on special resources like massovki.ru, stunner.ru, birza-truda.ru and others, as well as on the websites of popular programs - for example, urgantshow.ru. Less often, announcements about filming appear in official groups of television projects on VKontakte, Facebook and other social networks; another question is whether they can be trusted.

Method 3: Contact the creators of the show



In the credits of talk shows or television quiz shows, as a rule, they indicate a contact phone number or website address where you can call and tell your story, or fill out an application for participation. It is worth noting that getting through to such numbers can be extremely problematic, and the chance that they will choose your questionnaire filled out on the transfer page is even less.

If you have not yet changed your mind in your search for an “access point” to a project of interest, pay special attention to the organizers’ requirements for guests.

1. Age

At the “Ice Age” show we are glad to see viewers aged 18 to 35 years old, at the music quiz “Guess the Melody!” - from 14 to 40 years old, on the talk show “Let Them Talk” - from 14 to 60 years old, but on the program “About the Most Important Thing” you will only be allowed to film if you are strictly under 45 years old.

2. Clothing and appearance

Everyone is always asked to come to the set of any television project neat and smartly dressed. The only differences are in the color schemes.

On Boris Korchevnikov’s talk show “Live Broadcast” they are asked to be sure to exclude red and dark tops from clothing; viewers in clothes with various inscriptions are not allowed on the “Wait for Me” program, but on the “Fashionable Sentence” show or Yulia Menshova’s program “Alone with everyone” are happy to see spectators in clothes with a bright top.

3. Punctuality

If you are late or for any reason cannot come to the shooting, you must definitely notify the person with whom you recorded.

4. Prohibition on hints and walking around the set

Whatever feelings you have towards the participants of the program, there is no need to shout about it loudly at the recording of the project. This rule applies especially strictly to spectators at various TV games and quizzes. Even if you know the correct answer, but the participant in the program does not, you do not need to prompt him. Whoever this participant is to you. Violators are punished very strictly - the filming is stopped, they are publicly kicked out of the hall, they are refused payment of money and are put on the “black list”.

Spectators are also prohibited from leaving their seats or walking around the site during recording.

5. Prohibition on photo and video filming

The phone must be turned off during the entire shooting, even silent/vibrate mode is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that waves from electronic devices can cause defects in picture or sound quality, and in this case it is necessary to reshoot everything from the very beginning.

Taking photographs in the studio, with the presenter, participants and guests is only possible if permitted by the organizers. This can only be done during breaks or at the end of filming.

6. Privacy

There are often cases when, on set, you may be asked to fill out a special non-disclosure document, or you may be verbally told what is prohibited from being disclosed.

As is correct, this concerns the secrets of the production of the program, as well as everything related to the intrigue of the show. It is prohibited to distribute information before the broadcast of the show about which of the participants will leave the show, who will become its winners, what and how many they will receive as prizes.

If you have violated the prohibition from the previous paragraph on photography and video shooting, then you should not post pictures from the “I was here” series. There are special people who monitor and punish violators who leave similar publications about the project on the Internet, including various messages, photos and videos on social networks, video portals, etc.

7. Food and drinks

You must arrange food and drinks for yourself in advance. Often on set there are no buffets or even vending machines for food. Unfortunately, the organizers do not provide drinks and food to the audience in the studio, which means that you must stock up on them yourself and in advance.

Regarding payment work as an extra on television projects, you should not count on a large sum. On average, we are talking about 150-600 rubles for a full shooting day, during which 1 to 4 programs can be recorded. It’s not uncommon for filming to end well after midnight, during which time you must be in your place. If you leave the studio before the director says the final “stop, cut!”, you are unlikely to receive your reward.

A large number of people are wondering how to act in a movie. A list of useful tips and recommendations specifically for them will be given in this article. After all, many people don’t even suspect that getting a role in a film today is not so difficult.

Unusual appearance

Is it possible to get into the film industry without proper experience and knowledge? In fact, anything is possible. There are a number of factors that can help an ordinary person to star in a film.

So, cinema has always needed people with extraordinary appearance. And we are talking here not only about handsome men or beauties; on the contrary, people with non-standard, unusual appearance are often needed here. Small or, on the contrary, huge height, heavy weight, pronounced national features and much more - all this may be of interest to the creators of the film.

Of course, it is quite rare for random people with unusual characteristics to be cast in the main role. But it is quite possible for them to apply for secondary, additional places. There will definitely be at least one scene for people with unusual appearance. Filmmaking is a very difficult process, and it happens that just one episode in a film can become a turning point, a key event.

Having acting abilities

Is just an extraordinary appearance enough to get a warm welcome into the film industry? Of course not. What's really important is having a variety of acting abilities.

And we are not talking about talent here at all. After all, talent is a relative thing, and it can be fully revealed only in the process of work. And interesting, unusual, bright and memorable tricks and techniques that could be used when filming a film are really important.

Who knows, maybe it’s your unusual facial expressions or ability to act relaxed in front of the lenses that will help you make your way into the film industry. And you don’t have to have an acting education to express yourself to the fullest. The main thing is to be confident in yourself and your abilities.

A quality path to the film industry

There are two ways to enter the film industry: qualitative and quantitative. They are completely different, and a person who wants to act in a movie must choose the best option for himself.

So what is a quality option? How to start acting in films following this path? It is suitable for truly creative individuals who are not afraid to create and show the results of their creativity to people. Maintaining your own video blog, shooting a short film, video or commercial - all this will definitely be noticed by the right people if the product is truly high-quality. The main thing in the chosen path is not to be afraid and not to be shy. Let the released videos be of not the best quality, with poor sound or awkward editing. The main thing that the right people will pay attention to is the behavior of a person who wants to break into cinema.

Quantitative path to the film industry

How to act in a movie if there is no possibility of pursuing a quality path? The quantitative option is suitable for people who, for a number of reasons, do not have the opportunity or time to express themselves fully. In this case, you need to create a high-quality portfolio and present yourself competently.

What does it mean? On special sites you need to leave your resume, in which you need to briefly and clearly outline all your features and skills. In addition, you need to add a certain number of your photographs - always high-quality ones, allowing you to fully evaluate your external data.

The portfolio can be seen by people who are somehow connected with the film industry. And only then will a person be able to get to the shooting of a real film. It is also worth adding that it needs to be updated periodically. For example, from time to time add new photos that show a noticeable change in image and appearance. Or edit your resume if new, interesting acting abilities and talents have been discovered.

You have to believe that this path to the film industry really works. Professionals from the world of cinema sometimes cannot find the right person, and therefore often go to similar sites with a portfolio collection. “Everyone is looking for new faces today. We found the main character of the movie “Vanechka” on the Internet,” says producer Nadezhda Kopytina. That is why you should not be suspicious of such sites.

The main thing on the Internet platform is the ability to present yourself well and patiently wait for the cherished hour when the invitation to the casting does come.

How do people get into movies?

How was Soviet cinema made? In the recent past, cinema was, first and foremost, an art. There was no stagnation in this cultural environment, because new faces were constantly sought out and invited there. Many actors began their film careers in the Soviet Union quite suddenly. Faina Ranevskaya, Mikhail Pugovkin - all these familiar faces do not have proper acting education. However, thanks to their talent and high skill, they are known all over the world.

So how can you act in a movie if you only have talent and an incredibly strong desire? The answer is simple - arrange real tests for yourself. There are several simple, but at the same time unusual ways to get to the coveted one:

  • through acting agencies;
  • "Mosfilm"
  • through the crowd.

Each person decides for himself which method suits him best. Or you can try all these methods at once.

Are acting agencies really that effective?

Acting agencies are one of the most famous and widespread, but, unfortunately, not the best ways. This option is suitable for people who are willing to spend some money.

Acting agencies work in the following way: for money they save all the data of the person who comes - records showing various kinds of abilities, photographs, resumes, etc. Moreover, unlike portfolio sites, acting agencies send all the data about a person to directors, producers and other persons who are in one way or another connected with the recruitment of actors.

It would seem that everything is simple and logical, you just need to pay a little money (prices in Moscow vary from 500 to 10 thousand rubles). However, there is one problem. Recently, too many scammers have sprung up in cities, ready to make a star out of a person for a “symbolic $500.” Naturally, such scammers hide behind the signs of acting agencies. That is why it is necessary to choose as carefully as possible the places where you can give your money and data. After all, some particularly impatient people exclaim the phrase: “I want to act in films!” so often that it becomes very easy to deceive them.

About participation in extras

How to act in a movie without having the proper education? And even so that a sum of money was paid for the filming? The answer is simple: take part in the crowd. It is not so difficult. Directors and producers quite often recruit large numbers of people into their films, especially historical ones. Here, however, the point is different: will filming as an extra be enough to fulfill the dream of becoming an actor?

For some, yes, but for others, no. However, Russian films are made in such a way that even an extra can prove himself and attract the attention of the film’s creators.

So, how do you get into the crowd? You must register for the shoot in advance. As a rule, advertisements for recruiting people for the crowd for a film can be found on the Internet. But sometimes the creators of the film themselves find the necessary people - and do it on the street. It is also worth considering that participating in crowd scenes is not the easiest thing.

Firstly, you can spend almost a day on seemingly unknown things. Secondly, directors often have quite strict requirements for extras, and therefore you need to be prepared for anything. At the same time, if a person wants to somehow attract the attention of the film crew, then he should try especially hard. The creators of the film may be irritated, and they obviously will not need unnecessary distractions. However, it is worth considering that many both Soviet and Russian actors got into cinema through the crowd.

"Walk" around Mosfilm

This option to prove yourself is only suitable for truly thirsty people who want to prove themselves. The thing is that people working in a film concern are not very willing to once again accept another portfolio.

However, for decades now, people who have come to Mosfilm have encountered directors and producers who saw something special in a person and offered roles in films.

Today the easiest way to get there is through a tour. If a person has a desire not just to walk around the film factory, but to show himself to the creators, then he needs to tune in and prepare in advance. It’s worth immediately taking into account that the film company itself has a list of vacancies, but it will be difficult to find the right option without the proper experience. That is why a person who is confident in his abilities should take a portfolio folder with him and boldly knock on office doors. At the same time, it is better to agree to any proposed option, to any episodic role. After all, the likelihood that someone from Mosfilm will really want to do business with a random person is not so high.

“If a person wants to act in films, he must simply live at Mosfilm,” says actor Konstantin Kryukov. So the advice here can be given as follows: it is better to go to the film concert as often as possible. It is important to be confident and full of strength.

Invitation to casting

But what to do if a person was nevertheless noticed and, as a result, invited to the casting? Firstly, you shouldn’t be too happy or, conversely, panic. You need to calm down and start working on yourself.

It is worth learning that it is on the casting, so to speak, a kind of exam, that all future fate will depend. So how to pass the casting and act in a movie? You need to prepare high-quality photographs of yourself on a white background, write a resume, and add a couple of extra certificates or diplomas of achievement to your portfolio.

In no case should you limit yourself to just the phrase: Firstly, this statement will not be enough for the film crew. And secondly, professionals don’t like “wants” most of all. Persons associated with cinema are looking for people who are ready to reveal their talent to its full potential, and not just those who “want”. You should also not try to make friends with officials - this will be in bad form.

Appearance and behavior at the casting

Appearance is very important, probably even the main criterion. The main rule here sounds very simple: you need to look natural. Girls should not wear too much makeup or dress flashy. Guys should look neat and tidy. Hairstyle, posture, and gait are very important. You need to behave very confidently, but not arrogantly. Persons associated with cinema should see in the person who comes to the casting, first of all, individuality, and not some kind of far-fetched image.

It is worth agreeing that correct behavior at the casting is the basis for success. Usually here a person is asked to sit in front of the camera and say a few words about himself. This is necessary in order to understand how the newcomer behaves in front of the lenses aimed at him. The tips here are simple: be natural, rehearse your speech in advance and prepare a high-quality portfolio. You should, of course, rely on your own improvisation.

It is important to believe in yourself, and only then everything will definitely work out!