Hire extras for crowd scenes and background roles
To hire extras on ShootModel, enter your shoot date, city, hours and budget, and pick Extras. You see verified adult background actors who are free that day, with the full rate for your hours. Book each one now or send a shoot request to many at once, then pay through the platform with releases included.
Crowd,
by the head
The people who make a scene feel real
A coffee shop with no customers looks empty. A street with no one walking looks staged. Extras fill the frame so the main action feels true to life. They sit at tables, cross the street, cheer in a crowd or wait in line, and they do it the same way take after take.
TV and online commercials
- Typical background roles
- Shoppers, diners, office workers, commuters
- Usual group size
- A handful to a few dozen
Branded video and social ads
- Typical background roles
- Friends at a table, gym members, event guests
- Usual group size
- A few people
Music videos
- Typical background roles
- Dancers in the back, party guests, crowd
- Usual group size
- A small group to a large crowd
Corporate and training video
- Typical background roles
- Coworkers, customers, patients in a waiting room
- Usual group size
- A few people
Event and launch content
- Typical background roles
- Audience, guests, queue at a pop-up
- Usual group size
- Small to medium groups
Book one or book many
For one or two background people, search and book each one from the results. For a crowd, send a shoot request with the date, city, hours, budget and brief to all matching extras, and collect confirmations in one list.
Clear call times keep the day on track
The call time is when extras must be on set, signed in and ready. Put it in the booking along with the address, the nearest parking or transit and the name of the person who checks people in. Many productions call background a little earlier than the first setup, so wardrobe and positions can be set.
- 01Share the exact call time and address in the booking chat
- 02Say who signs extras in and where to find them
- 03Give a rough wrap time, so people can plan the rest of the day
- 04Tell extras if meals are provided or if they should bring food
What the holding area needs
Extras spend a lot of time waiting between setups. A good holding area has seats, shade or heat as needed, water, a restroom nearby and a place to keep bags and wardrobe changes. A calm holding area means people are fresh when you call them back to set.
Tell extras what to wear and what to bring
Background actors usually bring their own clothes. Your wardrobe notes tell them what fits the scene. Be specific, because a bright logo or a loud color can pull the eye from the main action.
| Ask for | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Solid, muted colors | Large logos and brand names |
| Two or three outfit options | Pure white and pure black, which can be hard to light |
| Clothes that fit the setting, like office or casual | Thin lines and tiny checks that flicker on camera |
| Clean, simple shoes | Costume pieces you did not ask for |
If you supply wardrobe, say so in the brief and ask for sizes in the booking chat.
Picking the right booking length
Extras on ShootModel set rates by the hour, half day and day. Choose the length that covers call time to wrap, with room for delays. A short scene can fit in a half day. A commercial with many setups often runs a full day.
A few hours
- Good for
- One scene, one location
- Plan for
- Quick sign in and a single setup
Half day
- Good for
- Two or three setups in one place
- Plan for
- A short break and water
Full day
- Good for
- Many setups, company moves, music videos
- Plan for
- A meal break and a proper holding area
The rate on each card is the all-in rate for the hours you entered. If the shoot runs longer, agree on the extra time in the booking chat before you continue.
Payment held, paperwork done
You pay at booking, and the money is held until the shoot is complete. Extras are paid out 48 hours after completion unless you open a dispute in that window. Each booking gets its own agreement, model release and usage license, signed by both sides and saved as a PDF.
You pay the listed rate plus the usage buyout you choose, with no booker fee on top. The platform fee of 15% is taken from the talent payout.
Work as an extra
If you want background work, create a verified profile, set your rates and travel radius, and turn on instant booking to get booked faster.
FAQ
01How do I hire extras for a crowd scene?
Send a shoot request with your date, city, hours and brief. All matching extras get it, and you collect confirmations in one place.
02Do extras need a model release?
Yes. Anyone who appears on camera should sign a release. ShootModel creates one for each booking automatically.
03Should extras bring their own wardrobe?
Usually yes. Tell them the style and colors in your brief, and ask for two or three options.
04Can I book extras for a music video?
Yes. Add the song style, the number of people and any movement in the brief so extras know what to expect.
05What happens if an extra does not show up?
You get that booking charge back in full, and we help you find a replacement for the same day.
06Is a half day long enough for extras?
For one or two setups it often is. For many setups or a move between locations, book a full day.
07Are background actors on ShootModel adults?
Yes. Every talent is 18 or older, and ID and age are checked before a profile is shown in search.
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