FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Anyone can be an extra with ZBG Productions 1, between the ages of  21-75.

ZBG Productions 1 is not excepting children for auditions at this time.

Movies or TV shows can include scenes in bars, offices or street corners, and there are all kinds of places that normally require people in the background to make the scene. believable. These additional people are called background actors, extras or atmosphere. Their salaries depend on their union status, what they do and what props they bring. 

ZBG Productions 1, is a Non-Union production company.

Typically, extras do not receive speaking roles. This is a great rarity, and occurs only when a director finds an extra who they need to fill a particular role or speak a single line. Getting selected for a line is quite exciting for extras, as this both increases the pay rate and gives you a chance to drop that “role” onto your acting resume.

If you do get a line to speak, even after coming onto the set as a background artist, then after you deliver that line – you are no longer an extra. You’re an actor now, and you’ll be credited accordingly, provided that it’s a professional film set.

For many extras throughout California, working in the background of various TV shows, movies, and commercials is a great way to both supplement the income from a regular job and to build a steady career. Many extras work repeatedly, and consider being an extra their career.

  Background actors who are not members of an entertainment union earn minimum wage for the state in which they perform. As of 2018 the Non-Union daily for 1-8 hrs.  Production companies normally pay extras the daily rate, even if they work for less than eight hours. For work over eight hours, which is typical in entertainment, background actors receive overtime rates based on the employment rules of their locations. In addition, they may also receive additions to pay, known as bumps, which are given to union actors for bringing in special wardrobe, such as a security officer's uniform, or performing unusual actions, such as swimming. However, these additions are at the discretion of the employer.