Why Become an Extra?

What is an ‘Extra‘?

How many times have you been to a shopping centre, restaurant, doctor’s waiting room, concert or birthday party and found that you were the only person present? Never, right?

This is where Extras come in.

An Extra (sometimes referred to as a Supporting Artiste [SA], or a background actor) is a person selected to help populate the background of TV, Film and commercial scenes to make them feel/look much more realistic.

Any time that you watch something where there is background action happening behind the main cast on-screen, each one of these people has been carefully selected and placed there by the production team.

Most of the time, these roles don’t require any dialogue – but often do require a certain ‘look’. This to make sure that each Extra blends naturally into the environment they are building on-screen.

Why Become an Extra?

Uni-versal Extras is the number 1 Extras agency for placing people (like you!) in Feature Films, TV and Commercial productions across the UK & Ireland.

With our head office at the heart of the prestigious Pinewood Film Studios, Uni-versal Extras are perfectly placed to offer you opportunities working as an Extra or Supporting Artiste in the world’s most exciting industry.

If you’re looking to earn money working in flexible, part-time roles, then Extra work may very well be the perfect fit for you.

Whilst we do have many talented actors and performers on the books – Extra work is accessible to all and requires absolutely no prior acting experience. In actual fact, getting started really is as easy as downloading the UVE Artiste App and simply building your very own Artiste profile!

Truth be told, there are so many reasons to love being an Extra that it’s hard to know where to start.

But we’ll do our best…

Never Have the Same Day Twice

No groundhog days here. Visit different shoot locations, chat to new people on set, and take part in everything from action thrillers to period dramas.

Flexible Hours That Suit You

Only work when you want to. Extras are able to pick and choose the projects that make time for other responsibilities and commitments.

Make Great Friends

Get to chatting to fellow Artistes on set and become part of a vibrant, ever-growing community that spans the length of the UK.

Don’t Get Stuck In One Place

Love to travel? Register your interest in multiple locations across the UK & Ireland to receive mobile updates on roles & productions near where you are right now!

Be Part of the Shows You Love

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of spotting your own face pop up on Netflix, nestled amongst the stars. Bragging rights well-deserved.

Thrive in a Creative Environment

Immerse yourself in an environment where creation is around every corner and work alongside both established and future TV/Filmmaking trailblazers.

No Need to Stress About Meals or Travel

With many productions providing on-set provisions, you can enjoy free catering and even sometimes receive a supplementary fee for your journey to and from filming locations (depending on individual production’s Ts&Cs)

Want to hear some more? Why not delve a little deeper into how it works, or…

Join The Uni-versal Extras Agency Now!

To register as an Extra, all you’ll need to do is download the UVE Artiste App and begin building your profile! It’s really that simple:

The UVE Artiste app is available on the Apple App Store

The UVE Artiste app is available on the Google Play Store

Exciting day and looked after well. Overall a good experience!

Monica

Wuthering Heights

[We were] very well looked after on set. We knew what was being filmed and the context of the scene! The ADs were professional and the food was good – a joy to work on.

Noreen

Wuthering Heights

It was absolutely fantastic, enjoyed every single minute. The staff were magnificent looking after us, as well. No complaints. Can’t wait to work with UVE again very soon.

Stephen M.

Under Salt Marsh

I was cast as a waiter in a Gentleman’s club in Central London near Buckingham Palace. Cast & crew were very friendly [and] I had my first speaking role, which I got paid extra for! Looking forward to more 😊

Julian

Industry – Series 3

I signed up with UVE for SA work when I retired and my first role was as a theatre goer in Eternal Return. We were to bring our own costumes (we were paid extra for this) and I picked a bright outfit with a big necklace. The base was on a showground outside the small town where they were filming. There they checked our outfits, swapping out any unsuitable for the scene and did our hair and makeup, before we piled into a minibus for the ride into town. The location was a little Victorian theatre and we were playing the audience to a solo musical performance. The set dressers liked something about my outfit and kept moving me into shot, so I may get a glimpse of my contribution; who knows? It isn’t guaranteed but it’s always an adventure. We were well looked after; good food and a warm place to wait between shots, which was often quite a while as they moved all the equipment around for a different angle. I got to meet lots of interesting people and share a space with famous actors while they and the director crafted the scene. It was all new to me and quite an experience!