How much do Film Extras get paid? Film Extras tend to be hired by the day, so they can generally expect between $100 and $200 for their work. However, individuals with union status may earn more for background acting.
Why is this important?
Background work can often involve working very long hours, working in unfavorable weather conditions, and working with very little food, and all of this for very close to minimum wage pay. Yet, background actors tend to have their performances devalued. Often, they are treated more like props than like actors. Some industry professionals are so disrespectful toward background actors that they label extras, “props that eat”.
