Film extras, also known as background actors or as we call them, supporting artistes, (SAs) appear in non-speaking or minor roles in the background of scenes in films, TV shows, commercials, and other media productions. Creating a realistic setting and atmosphere, SA’s portray everyday people in environments such as general crowds, modern-day passer-bys, or diners in a restaurant, and can also be cast in fantasy and period roles too. Their contribution is essential for adding depth and authenticity to the main action and storyline.

No prior experience is necessary. However, an interest in performance is beneficial, and any acting experience is appreciated. Overall you need to be reliable, friendly and punctual. Sometimes specific skills are required for a sequence, so make sure you tell us about any skills you have when filling in your application form.

Anyone with the right to work in the Nigeria, with a NIN and who is over 16 years old

Due to frequent and sudden schedule changes, extra work is generally not suitable for those with caregiving responsibilities full-time jobs, or availablility limited to weekends

There is no maximum age; we can have people registered with us in their seventies and eighties. However, you must be over 16
and have completed WAEC. We do not represent children under 16.

If you have a very flexible work schedule and can accommodate date changes at short notice then you can work as an SA. However, the work can be unpredictable with last-minute changes which can make it difficult for those in full-time jobs.

You can register with as many background agencies as you like. We advise doing thorough online research, never paying any money upfront, and being aware of hidden fees. While a deducted commission rate is normal for agencies, it’s important to check for any additional charges.

We strive to get people working as much as possible, but it largely depends on the casting briefs and locations for each production. Do you fit the brief and live in the right geographical location for the shoot? If so, keep an eye out for an availability request from the casting team. This kind of work can be sporadic and you can be sent a number of availability requests before you are confirmed for work. Depending on how busy we are you could get between a couple of days to 30 plus days work in a

Extra work is a good option for self-employed people with flexible work schedules. It’s a great way to learn how the industry works and earn extra money alongside other work. Most people who do extra work regularly have other jobs as well.

It’s rare for extras to transition directly into acting roles. While it does happen occasionally, it’s usually not a direct result of being an extra. Someone who has worked as an extra may develop an interest in acting and might then pursue formal acting training. You may however get a taste for working on set and look to pursue a career on set in another capacity.

Unfortunately, extras don’t get credited very often. The exception might be if you have been a stand-in, double, or heavily featured. But even then, it’s pretty rare and always at the producers’ discretion.

This is strictly prohibited unless agreed in advance as a chaperone due to access requirements. Due to security and confidentiality requirements, anyone attempting to access a film set without prior approval will be turned away.

No, due to confidentiality, this is an absolute no-no, and supporting artistes risk being sent home unpaid if they are found to have taken photos. On most productions, you will be required to sign an NDA. On high-profile productions, phones are often taken away during filming.

We only offer paid work. As a general guide, you can expect to be paid between N15,000 and N20,000 per day on average, sometimes more. This is before our 10% commission is deducted.Â

Our application process is entirely online and takes about an hour to complete, though you don’t have to finish it all at once but it does have to be completed within 28 days Once you submit your completed application, we will either approve it or request modifications for resubmission.  We ask for a lot of information and it can be time-consuming. We need this information to best represent you as an artiste. It is relevant to the casting process and reflects how we select artiste we are given by production. Other identifying information is needed as we are required by law to collect proof of your ‘right to work’ in the country.Â

We have two regions for now,  Abuja FCT and the North, or Lagos and the Southern environs. You can only apply to be in one, and it should not be far from the area where you live. You will be automatically considered for anything in and around your location. If you are able to work in other locations you can note this on the application form.Â

You can only be listed in one region. Once approved, you can inform us of other areas in the country or continent where you could work, such as when staying with parents or friends. Please note that travel and accommodation costs to additional regions are not covered.  How long does it take for an application to be approved?  Applications are usually approved within 24 hrs but may take longer at weekends or bank holidays when it can take up to 72 hours.Â

You will be registered with us and searchable on our website for 12 months. After 10 months, you will receive an email prompting you to start thinking about renewing your profile. Once your 12 months are up, you can renew at any time during the following year. You will not be live on our website for productions to see until you have completed your renewal.Â

Most of our communication is by WhatsApp, SMS or email. The project managers will send any availability requests by WhatsApp or email. We also text and phone if needed.Â

It depends on the projects we are working on and your suitability for them. There might be periods when we are constantly contacting you, and other times when it might go quiet for a while. Don’t worry; we’ll always try to contact you about any jobs you are suitable for.

 We use your NIN number to check your background and that you are legally entitled to work in Nigeria.Â

We legally have to verify that all our supporting artistes are permitted to work in the country by checking their passports, IDs, visas, and proof of right-to-work documents. This is all part of the application process.

Unfortunately, Student Visa holders are not normally allowed to work as selfemployed in Nigeria so cannot register for extra work. Graduate Visa holders are, however, allowed to register with us.Â

Anyone working as a Supporting Artiste is legally considered Self-Employed for both Income Tax and National Insurance purposes.Â

You will be registered with us and searchable on our website for 12 months. When registering with us you will have to agree to our agency Artiste Terms and conditions, you can find a copy of them on the website.

In most cases, production will ask you to sign a separate agreement with their specific production company. This is normally a release form and NDA and is usually done by digital signature over email.

In most cases, production will ask you to sign a separate NDA. This is a legal contract that obligates the extra to keep any confidential information about the film’s production, storyline, cast, and other sensitive details private. This agreement is designed to protect the production company from leaks and it remains undisclosed to the public until officially released. By signing an NDA, the film extra agrees not to share or discuss any details they encounter during their time on set.Â

We will contact you by email or WhatsApp with availability requests and updates for any work opportunities.Â

 If you have been selected for a role, the project manager for that job will email you a booking confirmation.Â

Filming days can be very long. When accepting any booking you must be free for the whole day, no specific call time will be known until the evening before any shoot. As a general guide a day shoot is normally any time starting from 7 am but it’s not uncommon to be called much earlier than that, 5am calls are not unusual, with overtime a day shoot can easily be 10 to 15 hours long. A night shoot is paid at a higher rate and will usually film beyond midnight, sometimes until the early hours of the next morning.

The best way to get more work is to keep your photos and measurements up to date and say yes as much as possible to availability requests. Most productions ask for upto-date selfies, so ensure you upload them when asked.  The casting team works hard and often works long hours managing multiple briefs and regular schedule changes, so you will definitely raise your chances if you are friendly, flexible, reliable, and understanding of the industry’s regular changes.Â

You don’t need professional photos or to spend a lot of money on photos for extra work. We have guidance on the photos you submit. They need to be recent with a good likeness and a plain background but don’t need to be professional. The most important thing is to keep your photos current and updated and a representation of how you look now.Â

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 We require four photos of you for our website. A headshot, a full-length shot and a smart photo of you are required. There is then space for you to upload a fourth photo of your choice. The best photos are those that show us clearly what you look like. Please ensure they are recent photos with a true representation of how you look now, especially in relation to hair length.Â

When you register with us, you will have access to your own Artiste Organiser. Please ensure you keep your contact details and photos up to date. This is where you can see any pencilled or confirmed work in your Reel Empire (RE) Diary. You can also input any days you are not free so the Casting team can see your availability. In addition, you will be able to update your details and check your remittances.  If you are unavailable for a job we have booked you for, please contact the project manager who sent you the availability request as soon as possible.

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 When you register with us, you will have access to your own Artiste Organiser. Please ensure you keep your contact details and photos up to date. This is where you can see any confirmed work in your RE Diary. You can also input any days you are not free so the Casting team can see your availability. In addition, you will be able to update your details and check your remittances.Â

 You must renew your profile at least every 12 months, but we encourage everyone to do this at least every two or three months. Refreshing your photos, checking your measurements, and updating your skills and experience will ensure productions see you in the best possible light.Â

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Please take your time with your measurements, getting them right is critical. A tape measure will be required.  It’s vital that you measure yourself correctly and keep your measurements up to date via the Artiste Organiser. The Casting Team and Productions will regularly use measurements to make selections for roles, especially for any job that requires a costume fitting. If your measurements are incorrect, you can lose work or be sent home from a job unpaid.Â

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 Filming days are long, often with early starts and late finishes. A typical filming day can last 10 to 12 hours. However, depending on the production schedule and specific scene requirements, it’s not uncommon for days to extend to 15 hours or more. When you accept a booking it’s essential you are free for the whole day.

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 Nearly all jobs will have a set travel payment element added. Be aware that it might not fully cover what you have actually paid for your travel. A travel element is a set amount. If you are unsure, please contact the project manager who sent you the availability request.Â

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If the production is modern day, you may be given a specific wardrobe brief outlining the types of clothes to bring along on the filming day. If the production is set in a different time period, usually a costume is provided, and you might be asked to attend a separate paid costume fitting, which normally takes several hours.Â

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  It is a good idea to bring photo ID to prove who you are. We also suggest taking a refillable water bottle, some snacks just in case, a waterproof coat, maybe some warm spare clothes and thermals if it’s a cold day and perhaps even a change of underwear and socks just in case you get wet on set. On a very hot day, consider taking a sun hat and sunscreen. There can also be a lot of waiting around so maybe take a good book, crossword, pack of cards etc.Â

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 Yes. Refreshments and meals are usually provided unless told otherwise.Â

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 No, due to confidentiality, this is an absolute no-no, and supporting artistes risk being sent home unpaid if they are found to have taken photos on set. On most productions, you will be required to sign an NDA. On high-profile productions, phones are often taken away during filming.Â

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Have a look through our website for the Terms and Agreements.

Remember that filming will not always be at a studio; it will, quite often be on location. You will normally be given an idea of the location when we send you an availability request. Full location details will be confirmed the night before the job when details are sent out.Â

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 At least one union represents the interests of supporting artistes. We encourage everyone who wants to be a supporting artist or who regularly does extras work to join the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).                                                                                                                                                              You do not have to belong to any union to work as a Supporting Artiste; however there certainly are advantages. Unions are important because they protect your pay and your rights when you work on any production. It is their job to negotiate agreements setting out the terms and conditions of your employment, so joining one will help protect you and your earnings. Without them, artistes would be pushed into working longer and longer hours for less and less money. In addition, a union will look after your welfare, for example, helping in the event of a dispute or injury.  What about overtime?  When we send you an Availability request, we will tell you the rate of pay and indicate at what point you will go into overtime. After that time, an hourly overtime rate is normally applied.Â

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Five thousand Naira (N5,000) per shoot for extras to begin with.  Reel Empire applies a 10% commission for other SAs.Â

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 Normally, it takes about six weeks from the day you work to receive the money in your account. However, this can differ from job to job and depending on when the production company pays for services, it may be quicker or slower.Â

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Legally Reel Empire must pay you within 10 working days of us receiving your money from the production company, but we aim to pay you sooner.

Log in to the Artiste Organiser, click on ‘Your Details’, then ‘Bank Details’ and follow the instructions. Your bank details are encrypted and not seen by anyone other than our bank when paying. Please be very careful when typing your account number and sort code; typos will result in payments being considerably delayed.Â

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 Rates of pay are different depending on the type of job you do. When booked you will be told the rate of pay.

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 There is no maximum age; we can have people registered with us in their seventies and  eighties. However, you must be over 16 and have completed WAEC at least. We do not represent children under 16.Â

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 If you have a very flexible work schedule and can accommodate date changes at short notice then you can work as a Supporting Artiste. However, the work can be unpredictable with last-minute changes which can make it difficult for those in fulltime jobs.