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Background Actor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Stripe

ARG Engineering Manager

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$350 - $520/hr

Strong understanding of threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) Preferred qualifications * Background in security research, threat intelligence, or fraud detection engineering ...

Dhar Mann Studios

Director and Shooter

Los Angeles, CA

$1.3K/wk

... actors and various locations * Background in digital media, cinematography, film studies or related field * Ability to work in a fast paced environment on a wide variety of projects * Ability to ...

Dhar Mann Studios

Director and Shooter

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$1.3K/wk

... actors and various locations * Background in digital media, cinematography, film studies or related field * Ability to work in a fast paced environment on a wide variety of projects * Ability to ...

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Background Actor information

See California salary details

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How much do background actor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for background actor in California is $27.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a background actor?

A Background Actor, also known as an extra, is a performer who appears in non-speaking roles in film, television, and commercial productions. Their job is to add realism to scenes by portraying everyday people in the background, such as pedestrians, diners, or office workers. Background Actors help create a believable environment but do not have lines or interact directly with main characters. While the role requires reliability and patience, it can be a valuable way to gain on-set experience and network in the entertainment industry.

What does a background actor do?

A typical day for a Background Actor usually begins early with check-in, followed by time in the wardrobe or makeup department to prepare for the shoot. You will spend much of the day waiting between takes, and when called to set, you’ll follow precise instructions to perform natural movements or actions in the background of scenes. Flexibility is key, as filming schedules can change frequently and scenes may require repeating actions multiple times. Working alongside a large crew and other background actors, you’re expected to remain professional and attentive throughout the day, helping create a realistic and engaging setting for the main action.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a background actor?

To thrive as a Background Actor, you need reliability, the ability to follow directions closely, and professionalism on set, with no formal education or prior experience typically required. Familiarity with standard filming protocols and occasionally the use of basic wardrobe or props may be needed, but specific technical tools or certifications are uncommon. Punctuality, patience, adaptability, and comfort working in a team are valued soft skills that help you stand out in this position. These qualities are essential for ensuring a smooth production process and making positive contributions to the on-set environment.

How do movies hire background actors?

Movies hire background actors through casting calls posted by casting directors or talent agencies, often requiring applicants to submit photos and resumes. Background actors typically attend auditions or open calls and must meet specific criteria such as age, appearance, or experience; some productions also use online casting platforms. Once selected, they are scheduled for filming, usually working on set for the duration of the shoot.

What are the most commonly searched types of Background Actor jobs in California?

The most popular types of Background Actor jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Background Actor jobs in California?

For Background Actor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Background Actor jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Background Actor jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Background Actor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Background Actor job openings:

Background Actor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Background Actor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,158 per year, or $27 per hour.

Creative Producer - Special Projects

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something - you'll add something.
The Special Projects team is seeking a Creative Producer who sits at the intersection of performance craft and machine learning data quality. You will direct on-camera and voice talent to capture richly authentic human performances for AI/ML model training and evaluation, and serve as a lead expert annotator - building the guidelines, taxonomies, and decision trees that empower cross-functional annotation teams to label data consistently and at scale. This is a rare opportunity to bring the precision of a director's eye to one of the most technically demanding production environments in the industry.
Description
Creative Producer is responsible for two equally critical functions: leading performance capture sessions that produce high-quality visual and audio datasets, and developing the annotation frameworks that give those datasets meaning for ML pipelines.
On the production side, you will coach actors and non-actors through structured sessions designed to capture the full spectrum of authentic human expression - facial, gestural, and vocal. On the annotation side, you will serve as the subject-matter expert in emotion and expression labeling, authoring the guidelines, decision trees, and calibration standards that cross-functional annotation teams rely on to label data accurately and at scale.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in performance direction - film, television, or theater - combined with the analytical rigor to translate nuanced human behavior into structured, repeatable annotation frameworks. You are equally at home on a production floor and in a documentation sprint, and you understand that both are essential to building AI systems that genuinely understand people.
Minimum Qualifications
5+ years of professional directing experience in film, television, theater, or commercial production.
Demonstrated expertise in coaching actors and non-actors toward authentic emotional and vocal performances.
Deep fluency in facial expression, micro-expression, body language, vocal modulation, and emotional psychology.
Experience working in AI training data, motion capture, or structured data collection environments.
Experience structuring and managing studio recording environments (audio and/or video).
Strong written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, precise documentation (guidelines, protocols, taxonomies).
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and interpersonal skills.
Able to Travel domestically - up to 25%. NY/LA/SCV
Preferred Qualifications
Hands-on background in annotation, labeling QA, or annotation tooling workflows.
Familiarity with inter-annotator agreement methods and quality calibration practices.
Background in acting, theater, or vocal/speech performance.
Experience directing diverse talent across cultures, languages, and performance backgrounds.
Familiarity with audio engineering fundamentals and camera framing principles.

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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