In this blog post, I want to share some ideas on how to get the best out of your “BG” — your background actors/actresses, background talent, background artists or extras. I am writing this as an assistant director (AD) focused on the logistical challenges to make sure you get the best out of your BG.
Proper Pre-Production Goes a LONG Way
I will assume that the casting has been done properly and that you know how many background actors and what looks the director needs. Once all of the BG have been confirmed, one of the most important things to do is ensure they are briefed properly during pre-production.
Aside from the when and where of the shoot, your background talent will need to know how to get there and whether they need to bring anything. This is particularly important if the BG are expected to bring their own wardrobe. If they are being fitted with period or other special wardrobe or hair and makeup, then BG will need to be scheduled for a fitting during prep.
There is nothing more disappointing than discovering that all of your BG brought black clothes and your birthday party scene suddenly looks like a funeral. Make sure that someone from your AD team or the wardrobe department confirms their wardrobe before they come to set.
Be Ready for BG on the Day of Filming
It’s absolutely essential to have someone dedicated to manage BG on the day of filming in order to make sure the process is smooth. Depending on the country you are in, your budget, and the type of production, this person could be the 2nd or 2nd 2nd (3rd) AD, a (dedicated background) production assistant, a crowd or background coordinator, the set manager, or even someone from the casting agency. Whoever it is, they need to have all the info on the BG ahead of time — who is supposed to come, at what time and what role they are cast for.
Once the BG arrives, they should sign in and fill out any necessary paperwork. The paperwork will differ from country to country, but it is universal that they need to sign a release form. Best practice is to have all releases signed before anyone appears on camera, so get it out of the way as soon as they arrive.
After all the paperwork is filled out, you should give all the BG an overview of where everything is located. Where is the set? Where are they supposed to stay when they are not shooting? Where is the toilet? Do they have a dedicated crafts table and meals? Who do they need to notify when they are leaving the holding area? If they know the logistics, everything will run more smoothly. It can also be helpful to put up signs to all facilities so BG can find their way around the set without needing to ask for help.
Part of this briefing should also be the general do’s and dont’s. Make sure BG knows the rules: switch off their phones, don’t look at the camera, do not talk during a take, everything needs to be pantomimed, don’t approach any of the actors, don’t take any pictures and keep the overall noise level low.
Depending on the needs of the production, some BG might need to go through hair and make-up, but all of them will need wardrobe. Make sure the wardrobe department sees every single BG and approves their wardrobe before they go to set. You can waste an infinite amount of time with BG showing up on set with the wrong choice of clothes and having to be sent back to wardrobe to change.
If you have some extra time, the dedicated BG person (ideally the 2nd or 2nd 2nd AD) should do something I like to call “Story Time.” During Story Time, you read the scene the BG are appearing in aloud. If you have additional time at hand, you can even give some of the speaking parts to the BG and make them read the scene together with you. This will make them feel more engaged and they’ll know the content of the scene they’re performing in.
Lastly, BG are not props. Make sure they have a proper holding area that is appropriately cooled or heated, with easy access to water, snacks/food and bathrooms. Depending on the number of BG you have on any given day, consider arranging separate facilities for them and consider how many BG wranglers you might need to help managing the BG.
As with every aspect of production, communication is crucial. Your BG will thank you if you are keeping them informed about: waiting times, heads up before they have to go to set, do they still have time to go to the toilet and if there are any delays. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
On Set: Give BG Directions and a Backstory
Now it is time to bring your background talent on set. Every BG should have a little backstory and motivation as to what they will need to do during each take. It is the director’s job to take care of the actors, but it is the AD’s job to take care of the background talent.
As the AD, you need to make sure the BG knows which position to start from and to remember this position as “one.” Give them clear direction in terms of where to go and what to do as soon as “action” is called. Make sure to let them know what their cue is to start their action.
After every take, make sure to give your background talent positive feedback (“Great! Thank you!”) along with any adjustments necessary to improve their performance.
A little bonus tip: Talk to the prop department and prepare some items that the BG can hold or use during the scene. Holding on to something can improve their performance.
It’s a Wrap: Make Sure to Say Thank You
Once BG is done, try to release them as quickly as possible. Not only do you want to avoid having people hanging around set who aren’t needed, but you also want to make sure to not waste your BG’s time either. If they are not needed anymore (please double check), let them go. It is a good practice to have the BG sign out as well (even if not legally required), to keep track of who has left and who is still around.
Most BG really enjoy doing background work, so make sure to appreciate their time and effort on set, whether it is paid or not. Once BG is wrapped, make sure to say thank you and get the crew and cast to give a round of applause. They will be truly happy that you appreciated their performance and time.
If you have never worked as BG on any production, I can only recommend you try it — even if only once. It is hard to imagine what it feels like to be waiting around all day just for one 20-second scene where you have a single pass in front of the camera. Being BG is hard work with a lot of waiting and, oftentimes, relatively little action. But it is crucial to understand the life of your BG to prepare properly for how they should be taken care of, regardless of the production budget.
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Note From Tongal: “Get Your Background Talent Ready to Shoot in 4 Steps" is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here and then Pitch us a topic you'd like to write about for the Tongal Blog!
