HOW TO BECOME AN EXTRA

Nowadays the Italian word for extra, or background actor, is no longer "comparsa". The new technical term for this job profile is "generico".
Working on a set means making oneself available to the movie/television production for an amount of time set by the national show-business workers' contract. This includes a break for lunch or supper, depending on the work schedule.
The extra is usually hired by the day and paid directly by the Production.
Whenever a person agrees to take part in the making of a movie/series as an extra, they are required to be professional and punctual as well as give the Production maximum availability.

NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS

To work in show business as an "extra", you MUST be over 18 years old - this corresponds to becoming of age in Italy. It is not our decision, it is a current legal requirement in this country.
You must also be an Italian citizen, and thus own some valid form of ID and a fiscal code, the Italian "codice fiscale". These have to be presented, together with a photocopy, on the day in which you are "enrolled".
Following the suppression of the "Ufficio Speciale Lavoratori dello Spettacolo" ("Special Office of Show Business Workers"), registering in the above recruitment registry is no longer compulsory. This simplifies the necessary bureaucratic procedure.
Minors' participation is only accepted under explicit request from the Production for certain pre-determined scenes, and a particular bureaucratic procedure must be followed.

Website created by: Francesco Gregori.