A little bit of extra

Gladiator: Joe Gooch found his stint as soldier tough

By BBC News Online's Rebecca Thomas

For those who dream of a career in the movies, becoming an extra would seem the ideal way in.

On offer, it would appear, is a glamorous job where meeting Hollywood hotshots is routine and being "spotted" yourself is guaranteed.

But whether the fantasy lives up to the reality is open to debate. In the UK alone there are thousands of serial film extras but in comparison only a handful of stars.

Joe Gooch knows a thing or two about the thrills and slog of being an extra.

Working on Gladiator was a nightmare

Joe Gooch, actor

He has only been in the business for a year but has already worked on box office smashes Gladiator and Sleepy Hollow.

One would think that Gooch has hit the jackpot.

But he will put you straight. "Working on Gladiator was a nightmare," says Gooch, who played one of Russell Crowe's Roman soldiers in the opening scenes.

For the audience, these scenes are momentary in the epic scale of the film. But for Gooch and his brothers in arms, the work involved 12-hour days with crack-of-dawn starts in unenviable conditions.

"Around 700 of us arrived on set at 6am to be suited and armoured and daubed in mud," he recalls.

"We were then driven 20 at a time at high speed over bumpy ground in the back of an old army van with no seats to a forest in Farnham, Surrey.

Sleepy Hollow: a memorable experience

"We stood around in the cold for a few hours before shooting in short sharp bursts."

At the end of each day Gooch had only eaten a cold potato, was mud-soaked and had to walk half a mile before being picked up.

But he admits not all extra jobs are as tough as being a Roman soldier. His experience on director Tim Burton's comic gothic horror Sleepy Hollow was a lot of fun.

Again, he played a soldier, one of a small group battling with the Headless Horseman, played by Christopher Walkern.

Filming took place inside a studio in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, so conditions were more comfortable.

I've always loved Tim Burton's work and to see it first hand was great

Joe Gooch, actor

"When we weren't filming I would go and look at some of the other sets," he remembers.

"I've always loved Tim Burton's work and to see it first hand was great.

"I said to another soldier, 'I can't believe I'm watching Tim Burton direct Christopher Walken on a mechanical horse'.

"He (Walken) was staring right at me with his blue contact lenses, sharpened gnashing teeth and wild hair - truly scary."

Currently, Gooch is considering his future. He wants to become a "serious" actor and is not convinced that extra work is the right approach.

Experience

Someone who could offer valuable advice on the matter is casting agent Ray Knight.

He has been hiring and supplying extras for UK film and TV productions for more than 12 years and has more than 2,000 on his books.

Extras are human scenery - they have to blend in

Ray Knight, casting agent

His credits include Bridget Jones' Diary, Billy Elliott, three Bond movies and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Knight recommends extra work to anyone committed to making it as a professional actor or actress.

"It's a great way to get experience on a film set," he says. "But I would also advise applying to drama school at the same, especially the young."

Production companies rely fully on the casting agent to supply them with suitable people.

Previous acting training, or even experience, are not necessary to becoming an extra. So, being taken on by an agency - and for a job - has a lot to do with looks.

Bridget Jones' Diary: needed lots of background artistes

"Extras are human scenery. They have to blend in and look like the sort of people you would normally find in that particular environment."

Unfortunately, blending in means unusual looks go against you.

Being very tall, short or fat are just some examples but, says Knight, being good looking can be a hindrance too.

"One very pretty extra was working as a maid on a costume drama. As soon as the lead actress saw her she made her do all her scenes with her back to the camera," he recalls.

In fact, just being a woman can be problem. Two thirds of Knight's work goes to men aged 25 to 40 - the most common form of "human scenery" required.

Extras earn between £64.50 and £71 an hour, depending on the production company and whether they are asked to speak.

Applying to become an extra usually involves writing with a CV and photo to an agency.

The applicant will be called in for an informal chat if the agent thinks he or she might be suitable. If that goes well, then he or she will be signed up.

Knight takes money only from the hiring production companies and warns would-be extras against rogue agents who demand fees.

But his main advice to anyone wanting any kind of acting career is to have lots of patience and the ability to get on with people.

"And if there is real talent there to be spotted it will shine through whatever the role or production," Knight concludes.