If you were an actor, what would your biggest ambitions be? Do you want to be a main character in your own TV show? Do you want to have the lead role on a Broadway? What about an Oscar-winning movie star? As an actress myself, I have always wanted to do something in film. I’m an independent, non-union actress. I have even booked myself acting jobs on television shows. Like many others, I dream of working hard to get myself to the top.

So far, all of my paid acting jobs have been booked by myself. All of my paid work has been working as an extra. For those who don’t know, an extra is just a person walking in the background. You can simply get hired to be an “extra” just by following casting directors on Facebook and sending an email with your information and headshot. After you get a confirmation email, if they like you, they just give you the information about the call and you’re in! That is exactly what happened to me.

I have been cast as many extra roles, and it is surely a great experience for those who are interested in getting their foot in the door. It typically takes me over three hours to get to where I need go to based on my location. You bring your own wardrobe that is described in the email, and the people who are hired for wardrobe for that episode will select your costume. They will typically feed you breakfast based on your call time. Whenever your scene is called, you will work on the scene. When you aren't on set, they will have a holding space for all of the extras who are not being used. It is work that requires long hours and a lot of patience, but remember you are there to enhance the scene. When you hear someone say that they were just an extra, many people don’t realize that an extra role can slowly evolve stars.

Some of the biggest names in the industry started out as extras. Brad Pitt started as an extra in the 1987 film “Less Than Zero.” He started out in the background and now almost everyone in the industry knows his name. Pitt is currently has a $240 million net worth. Another who started out as an extra is our favorite male stripper from “Magic Mike," Channing Tatum. Tatum started by being cast as an extra in Ricky Martin’s music video “She Bangs.” Although he was on screen for only a couple of seconds, it led to his successful modeling career. His modeling led him to more extra work in the 2005 movie “War of the Worlds." Channing Tatum now has a net worth of $60 million dollars. If you plan on shooting for success like these stars, there are plenty of ways to do it by meeting the right people and making connections.

After talking to other extras on film sets I’ve been on, I’ve heard so many different perspectives about being an extra. Some say that they feel as if being an extra is pointless because you are just someone walking around in the background. The way that film works, it would be so unrealistic if a main character walks through a town and there is no one walking in the back. Realistically, if a person were to walk down the street, they may pass others without having dialogue with them. Being in the background enhances scenes, so it is important. I believe what people need to understand is that extra roles may evolve into larger roles. Sometimes a casting director may “bump” an extra to have a speaking role. There is potential for anyone to be bumped based on the director’s needs. From there, people’s careers have flourished.

My best advice is to never doubt the role of an extra. They contribute to the success of any film. An extra is almost equivalent to an ensemble member in a musical; they might not have the biggest roles, but they will make the product great. Sometimes you will have to start small to get to the top just like the famous people mentioned previously. My favorite celebrity who started out as an extra is, believe it or not, Marilyn Monroe. Monroe started out as an extra in “Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!” Her estimated net worth may have only been around $27 million, but she is one of the most iconic females to this day. She has inspired so many people, and her legacy will live on forever. I know many people would love to be an inspiration like Monroe herself. Never underestimate the potential of being an extra in the background. One day, it may lead to someone being the star.