8 . Some people have always been attracted to the world of movies and movie stars. One way to get closer to this word is to become a movie extra. Extras are the people seated at tables in a restaurant while the two main actors are in conversation. They are the guests at the wedding of the main characters. Extras don’t normally speak any lines, but they help make the scene look real.

Being a movie extra might seem like a lot of fun. You get to see what life is like behind the scenes. But don’t forget that being an extra is really a job and it’s mostly about doing nothing. First-time extras are often shocked to learn how slow the process of movie making is. In a finished movie, the action may move quickly. But it can sometimes take a whole day to shoot a scene that appears for just a few minutes on the screen.

The main requirement for being an extra is the ability to wait. You may report to work at 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., and then you wait until the director is ready for your scene. This could take several hours. Then there may be technical problems, and you have to wait a little longer. After the director says “action” and you do the first “take”, you may have to do it again if the director is not satisfied with the scene. In fact, you may have to do the same scene over and over again.

Despite the long hours and low pay, many people still apply for the job. Some people truly enjoy the work. They like being on a movie set, and they enjoy being with other extras. Most of them have flexible schedules, which allow them to be available. They may be students, writers, old people, or jobless actors. Some actors hope the work will help them get real acting jobs, but it doesn’t happen often.

The next time you see a movie don’t just watch the stars. Take a closer look at the people in the background. Maybe there is someone in the crowd who is just like you.