I'm working on a pretty large-scale independent film, and many of our scenes require 50 or 60 extras. We're unable to pay them, but we can easily get away with just recruiting people from high schools or colleges in the area. Our first shoot this past weekend had a disappointing turnout, despite all the letters and phone calls and flyers that we made. We even had free buffets after each shoot, but only about 30 people showed.

I'm wondering, how do people motivate or advertise to get extras to come to a shoot?

Your on the right track. Free food (good food that is) is a good way to keep them comign back. The truth is less people really want to be "movie stars" then most think. Its not easy to round them up for free. Your best bet is word of mouth. Scedule some stuff that dosent require as many extras or if they all need the same amount but maybe your shooting over two days shoot tighter coverage on some shots saving the wider for the next day. Its a gamble since some are there that might come back but if you invlolve them dont leave them hanging wondering what is going on. (Delegate that someone speaks to them regularly and gets them pumped for the shots) feed them well dont keep them to late and say, "We haver more food and fun tomorrow but we need more people. Get your friends, your parents, your boss whoever. Get em to come out for some food, fun, and the chance to see themselves in a movie." If youv treated them well, they will bring more.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

hey! a bostonian, with a mac.com email! thats a good start! where/what you filming? got a site?



"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

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Originally posted by titaniumdoughnut:
hey! a bostonian, with a mac.com email! thats a good start! where/what you filming? got a site?

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Hi! We were shooting a re-creation of the Battle of the Bulge at Norumbega Park in Newton (for the Ardennes Forest shots) and at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline (for the field battle and artillery shots).

I'm working on a site at the moment. My team and I just finished a 2-hour remake of Spartacus, which we're going to be doing a lot of publicity for all around eastern Mass.

i've always wanted to film something at larz anderson. glad someone finally found a use for it! lol!

post the site when it's ready! sounds interesting



"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

We were lucky we got to film at Larz Anderson. It was a pain in the butt to get a permit from the city. It was great, though. The place looks just like northern France!

yeah, right after my last post i was wondering how in the hell you got permission! great place! great sledding there too, lol

"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

If you cant get more than thirty extras, Try shooting your movie in such a way that it looks like more extras than you really have.

Speilberd did this on his movie Sugarland Express. He only had access to 50 police cars, but the scene called for hundreds. So he shot the movie in such a way that 50 looked like hundreds. I cant tell you how to do this, cause in your case, I just don't know. But I just thought it might encourage you, and give you a little food for film-thought. Best of luck to you in your endevour!

"Pain is temporary, Film is forever"-Peter Jackson

"Art only does so much, and sometimes it doesn't even pay the bills!"-AFC President

http://www.ErwinBrothers.com

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Originally posted by Kris Kimlin:
If you cant get more than thirty extras, Try shooting your movie in such a way that it looks like more extras than you really have.

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Yes, good idea. We actually had thought of this as well, because it was really our only alternative since we were all set up and were already behind schedule waiting for extras. We basically grouped them all together and used a lot of close shots, and also never showed both sides of the crowd in the same shot (which is a technique also used to make studio audiences look much larger on television).

Thanks for the advice, though!

What about a war film? How do I convince 50 odd people (although I'd like more like 200) to dress up like Germans, run around get shot at, have dirt thrown at them, fake blood splatterted across their face, have them roll on the ground etc....????

Surely these people wouldnt come just for food. And even if they did, how am I supposed to cater for 200 people?

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How do I convince 50 odd people (although I'd like more like 200) to dress up like Germans...

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maybe 50 normal people would be easier?

kidding,

they're gonna have to be friends or something. no way will random extras get dirt and blood spattered on them for no reason! you have to make it seem fun somehow....

lol

"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

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Originally posted by Popcorn Pictures:
What about a war film? How do I convince 50 odd people (although I'd like more like 200) to dress up like Germans, run around get shot at, have dirt thrown at them, fake blood splatterted across their face, have them roll on the ground etc....????

Surely these people wouldnt come just for food. And even if they did, how am I supposed to cater for 200 people?

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I believe that's what this entire thread is about.

I've never attempted to get a bunch of extras mainly because I can hardly handle barking out orders to 5 or 6 people at a time. Mind you, they are all my friends who are pretty much there because they have nothing else to do.

I wish there were more people who cared....Oh well, that's what makes it fun!

"Don't breathe or I'll kill you!"

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I believe that's what this entire thread is about.

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I believe your right. Point being?

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Originally posted by Popcorn Pictures:

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I believe that's what this entire thread is about.

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I believe your right. Point being?

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Point being it was probably unnecessary to restate the question that was asked in the first post.

You are so anal!!!!!

"Pain is temporary, Film is forever"-Peter Jackson

"Art only does so much, and sometimes it doesn't even pay the bills!"-AFC President

http://www.ErwinBrothers.com

i just skimmed the above posts so I hope I'm not repeating, but have you tried to appeal to their sense of fame. You're going to get them into a movie. And the extras that have blood and dirt thrown on them (surely you don't need all 50), will have closeups so they will be prominently featured in your movie. That, and show them that by being an extra, they are now part of your movie making machine. Discuss an upcomming project where you have a part for them that's more glamorous. Talk about the premiere of the film and the after party--how great it's going to be. And make a huge point of getting the correct spelling of everyone's name for the credits and promotional material. Basically, act/pretend/show that they are all more than just day players, even if that all that they really are.

GL
jorne

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Originally posted by JW:


I'm wondering, how do people motivate or advertise to get extras to come to a shoot?

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Originally posted by Popcorn Pictures:
How do I convince 50 odd people (although I'd like more like 200) to dress up like Germans, run around get shot at, have dirt thrown at them, fake blood splatterted across their face, have them roll on the ground etc....????

Surely these people wouldnt come just for food. And even if they did, how am I supposed to cater for 200 people?

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JW wants to know how to get people to come to a shoot.

Popcorn wants to know how to convince people to wear dirt, blood, make up and dress up like Germans... oh and how to cater to 200 people...

Popcorn wasn't being redundant just elaborate... for a moderator, you don't pay close attention.

As far as the asnwers to those questions

JW, use the 30 people and be glad that many came out... if you want more... just advertise and repeat. Also what kind of extras do you need?

Popcorn, don't cater 200 people - I don't know about you, but i don't have the funds for that. caterring 50 people would be a streatch but you could go to various places and explain your situation or have someone do that for you - as I would - I'm not good at B.S.ing people. As far as convincing them, don't worry get a couple of hot chicks to do it and everyone (especially guys) will follow suit.

Peace.

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

I think it was all a question of general motivation, Chad (my comment about advertising for the purpose of attendance was additional). I'm sorry if it was unclear.

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post the site when it's ready! sounds interesting

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http://www.jswfilms.com/

Still not done, but there it is.