What makes a good extra? Casting pro shares tips before ‘Ted Lasso’ films in KC
Filming for one of the many scenes included in season four of the hit Apple TV series “Ted Lasso,” is set to begin in the Kansas City area Tuesday, July 22, according to casting calls posted by Alessi Hartigan Casting.
The casting company was looking for stand-ins and background characters, portraying grocery-store shoppers, pedestrians on the street, pilots, ground crew and restaurant patrons. One of the casting calls is even asking for twin babies, ages 6-12 months old.
Scenes for the show will be filmed in Blue Springs, a spokesperson confirmed. There may also be filming in Lee’s Summit, as city spokesperson Cheryl Nash told The Star July 3 in an email: “We have a special event permit application. It has not been approved yet by the city.”
While it’s most likely too late to sign up, those who did apply and make the cut should know what it takes to be a good extra on set. There’s more to it than just being in the background.
The Star reached out to local film and television casting director Heather Laird, who is the principal owner of casting company Wright/Laird Casting for tips on how to be an excellent extra and background character on set.
She has been active in Kansas City since 1993, and she’s helped cast actors in films like “Winter’s Bone,” which was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2011, and commercials for Budweiser, GEHA, McDonald’s and State Farm, most recently working with Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Here’s what advice Laird provided for “Ted Lasso” background characters and anyone interested in pursuing a career in acting.
The best ability? Availability
Background cast members are going to have to really want to do this, since the pay isn’t great and the hours are long, Laird said. They usually are paid minimum wage, which is $13.75 in Missouri, and are on set for around 12 hours. It’s a commitment they have to be willing to take, especially if they have to take a day off from their jobs to be on set.
In her three decades in the industry, Laird has had her fair share of people who back out at the last minute because of the low pay and long hours. She said the potential actors realized this was something they didn’t want to do after learning they’d have to be there from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and bring multiple sets of clothes for what ends up being 5-10 seconds of screentime.
Looks and acting talents don’t matter as much as being available, and she said that background actors get an up-close look at the filming process from being on set for the day.
“You don’t have to be a brilliant actor to be background,” Laird said. “But, being background is a brilliant way to get started on your career if you want to be a professional actor.”
Sign up early
The early bird gets the worm, Laird said.
When casting agents look through the application files, their eyes dart to the first people who signed up, since they’re at the top of the list. In the case of a “Ted Lasso” casting call, where many applied, she said it’s better to be No. 20 on the list than No. 200.
Kansas City area actors can find casting calls in Facebook groups like Actors & Film Makers in Kansas City, Independent Filmmakers Coalition of Kansas City and The Network: Kansas City Filmmakers & Actors Organization. The casting calls for “Ted Lasso” were posted in Actors & Film Makers of Kansas City, which has over 19,000 members.
Laird says she’s also put out flyers on the street looking for specific types of people for commercials she’s casting.
If you’re looking for casting calls outside of Kansas City, she said people can register with sites like Backstage, Actors Access or Casting Networks for free, each with thousands of roles available for all ages, genders and other key descriptors. Laird sometimes uses these sources to find potential cast members for her shoots.
These casting websites take more time since the talent pool is larger and they require applicants to submit self-made tapes of themselves acting in their desired role.
It’s a business
Laird said even though show business is a wonderful business, prospective actors have to treat it as that — a business.
That means returning email messages from casting agents, as that’s the primary form of communication in the industry. Actors aren’t expected to go out and buy clothing items for their role, but they should remember to bring everything they ask for in regards to wardrobe, even if it means having multiple sets of clothing items on hand.
“If they say we want to see you look like a cowboy, then by god go through your wardrobe and find anything you’ve got that could possibly make you look remotely like a cowboy,” Laird said. “You want to bring options for the wardrobe department.”
Actors should know to be on set on time, but Laird recommends extras show up 15-30 minutes early to give themselves some breathing room in case they get lost and to familiarize themselves with the area.
