Background work!

If you're an actor here in LA, you already know what I'm talking about in this post.  If not, let me explain.  "Background Work" is a 'bread and butter' type of job for many of us artists while we are in between acting gigs.  It's also referred to as "extra" work.  As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I work many jobs while pursuing acting as a career- and most of the time it's really awesome!  I love to have the opportunity to meet so many different people!  I work as an extra from time to time, and it is actually a very good learning experience, plus it is the reason that I was able to book a small, recurring, speaking role on "Nickelodeon's" BIG TIME RUSH during season 2!  Everyone was awesome on the set of BIG TIME RUSH!  

I was very lucky to work with the cast and crew of Big Time Rush, because everyone was kind!  (Oh check out my very last post, "BE KIND"!) ;)  In fact, I have met some wonderful people on different TV shows and films while working as a stand-in and as an extra.  That being said, however, background work on SOME projects can be really tough- especially after you've worked as a lead/principal actor.  Often times, the background actors are not treated very kindly, and that is extremely unfortunate.  No one should ever be treated rudely, and I believe that in this business- and in any biz for that matter- you should not accept it when some is disrespectful.  If you're working as an extra on a set where you are not being treated respectfully, report it to SAG-AFTRA immediately.  We need to help make Hollywood a kinder place!  --And as always in life, stand up for yourself! Don't take any crap from anybody!!  You're way too good for that!! ;) 

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