Acting : Question on Craigslist extra ads...please help!! by Cindy Michelle

Hi Cindy. When I needed some extras at the last minute for a recent shoot I used Craigslist and it worked out great. However, I would advise being cautious with CL ads and always bring a friend along just in case.

Awesome! Thank you so much:))

My advice would be to act in local plays and make your own videos - over being an extra. I did NOT find extra work to be valuable experience. But plays definitely are.

Cindy, what city are you in? If a major city you should have legitimate extras casting companies that regularly cast extras for TV & Film. Register with one of them and you could get work through them.

Craigslist use to be a good source for finding work but "talent.gigs have been taken over by smut peddlers and ads of every kind. There is so much garbage on there now that many real job posters don't even bother to post their ads on it anymore. And, if there is a posting for a talent gig, it's either a student looking for actors or someone trying to get someone to do a commercial for free. No real money to be found there, sad to say. Unless the ones offering you 1,000 to 5,000 to do porn are real.

I've never had any luck with Craigslist to find gigs.

Well, there was never any real money on Craigslist but you use to be able to find some decent acting gigs on it every now and then. Now talent gigs is loaded with scammers & spammers.

Not all of them. Craigslist isn't too bad to use, just make sure you find a personal email or phone number to contact. And when in doubt...GOOGLE THAT SHHHHH!!!

I agree with Jonathan. A serious ad will include a phone number, in my opinion. But also, for extra work, the best way to go about it i think is to join a Casting agency in your city. This will actually give you opportunities to work on big scale productions. I would personally never place an ad in (ex) Craigslist to find background actors for an indie/self produced film project. Friends/family will do. If you want to enjoy some Extra work ... why not on a big production? Experience not required most of the time. Go for a casting agency.

Agreed not all of them...but the number of really legit and worthwhile posting have greatly diminished or it may seem that way due to the fact that there is more BS being posted on it now.

I've posted for my film on Craigslist. But, the people who got to me, were never really in it. That's the other thing you gotta worry about. The leeches. Other than that, I've gotten a few good apples involved with my project. You can find work, but make sure you read carefully, and again, G.T.S

I have posted ads on craigslist. And, at times, I found some real good talent. Just use your common sense, Now, if you are looking for pay, some, like myself, will tell you right off the get go, that the gig is a "no pay". I have had actors work with me for the pleasure of credit and copy. In reality, we are all trying to make something out of ourselves. And there is that understanding within the filmmaker and the actor. We are helping each other out. At least that has been my experience. And to this day, we maintain contact with one another and consider each other colleagues and friends. On another note, I respect those who are looking for some kind of compensation for their work, after all, that is why we work hard as filmmakers, but to diminish the possibility of creating a network, and a long time working relationship, is sad. Whether it be a student or a professional filmmaker, it matters not. That student is a filmmaker no? And the filmmaker is still learning after he has graduated. NO? I have found that this is an industry that continues to change, inspiring those to continue to hone in their skills. And there is something to be said about that. Well, those are my thoughts anyway. As i said before, use your common sense.

I like what you're saying here Nelson. Does make sense.

thanks everyone for your imput. I'm definitely interested in going with an agency. just been a stay at home mom for the last 2 years so I'm looking to get back to work so I can get with an agency and get my dream started off.

Noooooooo! Can you tell I am screaming when I say Nooooooo! to CL most are no pay the rest will give you no idea of being on a real set. If you choose to do it any way Look up the producers and directors make sure they are real and that at least you are making a connection. most real productions will poast on Actors Access or another casting net work be careful

and nelson I definitely know what ya mean about taking gigs with no pay. I love everything about this industry and that's one thing I've always thought about was doing it just bc I love the art of making films so much. I used to make movies tv shows and music videos all the time when I was younger with a video camera my mom had bought me for christmas one year which I balled my eyes out once I realized what she had got me. I still have the videos and enjoy watching them and they inspire me so much to keep going for it and that's what I'm going to do!!! thanks y'all so much I really appreciate it:))

YESSSSSSSSSSS! It's a good place! I have met some awesome Directors on CL-and by doing so, reply and set your standards. Yes, many are freeloaders trying to get freebies-screen them and delete! It's like anything-and by being in Hollywood this is the place ANYTHING can happen. Its the mecha of Entertainment. Many of of my SB artist make an income of $5k by networking EVERYWHERE. Get your name out, network, expose yourself nobody else will do it. So YESSSSSSSSSS try it!

Craigslist can be sketchy but you can also find legit projects there just be careful and get details before you commit. It can be a get place find projects to make connections and get experience.

100 percent right on.

yes be careful also check out Mandy.com

Hey Cindy, hit the button on your Stage 32 home wall that says "expand my network'. That will give you the chance to contact with other Stage 32 members in your area. Introduce yourself and tell them what you are interested in. You can also hit 'browse people' and you can search by name, place and occupation in film or theatre. Leave the name field blank, type Fort Worth for the location and then hit producers, directors and actors and you'll have more possible connections.

Use your common sense. If something seems fishy, it probably is.

They should banned celebrities from using this type of funding. They are taking away from the struggling artists that really need the help. The problem is that the sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter will not stop it because it's a lot of publicity for them.