What is an extra?

Extras are background actors in movies and films that fill in the area behind a scene. They talk and gesture as if they are naturally speaking the background. In a situation where an actor has fallen ill or cannot perform, an extra may be called on to stand in for the absent actor. Extras may also help set up and maintain sets. Many aspiring actors start out as extras as a way to get into the industry and work their way into being cast in a production.