Why Become an Extra?

What is an ‘Extra‘?

How many times have you been to a shopping centre, restaurant, doctor’s waiting room, concert or birthday party and found that you were the only person present? Never, right?

This is where Extras come in.

An Extra (sometimes referred to as a Supporting Artiste [SA], or a background actor) is a person selected to help populate the background of TV, Film and commercial scenes to make them feel/look much more realistic.

Any time that you watch something where there is background action happening behind the main cast on-screen, each one of these people has been carefully selected and placed there by the production team.

Most of the time, these roles don’t require any dialogue – but often do require a certain ‘look’. This to make sure that each Extra blends naturally into the environment they are building on-screen.

Why Become an Extra?

Uni-versal Extras is the number 1 Extras agency for placing people (like you!) in Feature Films, TV and Commercial productions across the UK & Ireland.

With our head office at the heart of the prestigious Pinewood Film Studios, Uni-versal Extras are perfectly placed to offer you opportunities working as an Extra or Supporting Artiste in the world’s most exciting industry.

If you’re looking to earn money working in flexible, part-time roles, then Extra work may very well be the perfect fit for you.

Whilst we do have many talented actors and performers on the books – Extra work is accessible to all and requires absolutely no prior acting experience. In actual fact, getting started really is as easy as downloading the UVE Artiste App and simply building your very own Artiste profile!

Truth be told, there are so many reasons to love being an Extra that it’s hard to know where to start.

But we’ll do our best…

Never Have the Same Day Twice

No groundhog days here. Visit different shoot locations, chat to new people on set, and take part in everything from action thrillers to period dramas.

Flexible Hours That Suit You

Only work when you want to. Extras are able to pick and choose the projects that make time for other responsibilities and commitments.

Make Great Friends

Get to chatting to fellow Artistes on set and become part of a vibrant, ever-growing community that spans the length of the UK.

Don’t Get Stuck In One Place

Love to travel? Register your interest in multiple locations across the UK & Ireland to receive mobile updates on roles & productions near where you are right now!

Be Part of the Shows You Love

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of spotting your own face pop up on Netflix, nestled amongst the stars. Bragging rights well-deserved.

Thrive in a Creative Environment

Immerse yourself in an environment where creation is around every corner and work alongside both established and future TV/Filmmaking trailblazers.

No Need to Stress About Meals or Travel

With many productions providing on-set provisions, you can enjoy free catering and even sometimes receive a supplementary fee for your journey to and from filming locations (depending on individual production’s Ts&Cs)

Want to hear some more? Why not delve a little deeper into how it works, or…

Join The Uni-versal Extras Agency Now!

To register as an Extra, all you’ll need to do is pop your details into the form below. From there, you’ll receive an email link where you can download our app and begin building your profile today!

Involved in my first production since joining Universal Extras. Really enjoyed the whole process and being on set. Would recommend the experience to anyone. Looking forward to my next opportunity.

Patrick

Say Nothing

I was very lucky to have been part of the terrific Steven Knight and Stephen Grahams production. A truly epic and atmospheric re-creation of 19th century East End London, and its gritty characters. Many very enjoyable days getting down and dirty!

William

A Thousand Blows

What a great experience I had on this drama. I took part in many scenes filming in a mixture of locations. Being made up as a Victorian gentleman along with a host of friendly like-minded extras was a real fun experience. The production company spared nothing to create such a realistic Victorian feel and look. A really great team have made a masterful drama – I can’t wait to see it on TV and maybe even see myself.

Paul

A Thousand Blows

A hard working, intense production for Disney+ that started Feb/March time going right through to December; well crafted, scripted [and] very well directed. The only choppy bits I found was when dates [were] canceled, rescheduled or moved around at short notice. The core crowd moulded into a working unit that worked exceptionally well together. On wrap, the Directors, Crowd ADs, 2nd ADs and all those running the show gathered all the Supporting Artistes and proceeded to thank us all profusely for the professional way we did our work [and] conducted ourselves on set.

Kenneth

A Thousand Blows

Took my caravan down to a local site near the set, so I could be on time without too much early morning travelling – and enjoy a bit of a break near St David’s. The production staff were great all day, from the catering to the director. I even got a wave and a smile from one of the stars. The other SAs were very friendly and we all had a good chat in between filming. Looking forward to the next one!