Jon Pirincci's Lounge Discussions

Thanks for sharing Jon Pirincci! You can join conversations and find opportunities to collaborate with your fellow filmmakers in the Stage 32 lounge https://www.stage32.com/lounge

I have books that i would like to see adapted into screenplays/movies. See my publications at amazon.com/author/mrben

Hi, John! Connection request sent. You've got stuff, I've got stuff - let's talk!

I think your negative encounter with an 'older union member' was something you should just forget about ! He's NOT the typical union member working background ! But I've been told it differs from region to region….like, it's supposedly difficult to even get extra work in L. A. ,unless one is one of 'the usuals' called to work background ? Speaking for myself ( a union S. F. actor working background also), it's a great way to network with other actors, & sometimes getting a 'bump' to a feature role, or even talking with the principals, & other set personnel ! A lot of union actors will not work background, which is fine, but I (like yourself), work background because I just LOVE being on set !

A few years ago, when I was doing background work in LA,, I signed up with a "call" service that notified me when I had a gig. I had to confirm, of course, but it saved calling into Central Casting every day to see what was available. I also got work from other extras-casting agencies that way. It was well worth the money. For the record, I'm one of those white haired guys who is "retired" from an earlier career. To anyone who asks what I do, my response is "I'm an actor."

Great to see a post pop-up with a question that still stands today! Actors have to start somewhere right? I was listening to an Office Ladies podcast where Angela Kinsey talks about her time as an extra on 90210. Experience as an extra on set can be the easiest way to learn set etiquette which in turn, you can use when you have a bigger role on set.

I would say YES if you do it instead of acting.

I don't take any non speaking roles, no reality TV either.