Career Spotlight: Professional Background Artist

Integral to television shows and movies are all the extras that you see on screen. Whether there are a thousand of them in a stadium cheering on a team, or just a few sitting at tables in a coffee shop, extras are an important part to movie and television magic. What you might not know is that a lot of the extras you see are doing this type of work full-time for a living. Here I talk to Caleb Garcia, a California native who has been working as a background artist since 2011 in Los Angeles.

Caleb, you recently accepted a job in an office. How do you feel about ending your stint as a background artist?
I had a good run. I was told by a production assistant once that most people who do background last about two years. I passed that two year mark.

What was your first gig as a background artist?
I had a family member who was a cinematographer on the TV show 'Numbers.' He invited me to work as an extra, and I had a lot of fun for the two days I was there.

How did your parents react to the news that you were starting to work as a background artist after college?
They hated it, but I had a lot of fun experiences.

When you first started working as a background artist, how long did you think you would do it for?
About a year or two. The original goal was to work background and then get a job as a production assistant, or work in a production office. Right now the tentative plan is to work as a personal assistant, get that experience on the resume, and then come back and work at a studio. I want to work in development, ideally at Warner Bros.

What is it like being non-union as a background artist?
It's usually pretty chill. Sometimes non union crafty is just a bag of chips though and you see the union people walking in and they get a full breakfast with french toast and eggs.

Why didn't you ever join SAG-AFTRA?
It's very pricey. Plus, I don't want to be an actor.

How did you first get the idea to work as an extra?
The main reason is that it was a childhood dream to see myself on screen. It was on my bucket list. I've taken screen captures of everything I've been in.

What's your favorite part about doing background?
It's a bit like summer camp. It's cool because you're hanging out with a lot of like-minded people who are your age, and you're getting paid. You're part of something bigger than yourself. I was so in love with TV and film growing up that giving back and contributing to that in some way is the ultimate fantasy.

What tips can you give to those who are interested in working as an extra here in Los Angeles?
Join Central Casting right away, then get a call-in service. Don't try booking yourself, unless you're ridiculously hot.

What has been your favorite set so far?
I have a few. 'House' was awesome. It was a small call. It was a diner scene and they selected me to be a trucker and they set me behind House and Wilson. That episode was directed by Peter Weller from 'RoboCop.' 'Castle' was really cool because it was a Comic-Con scene. I was dressed as Cyclops which was fun. I talked to Nathan Fillion briefly. He was on 'Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog', so I walked up to him and said "the hammer is my penis," a line from it.

What did he say?
He said "that's not creepy at all!" Hopefully he found it funny. He's been around enough fans who are quoting things at him all the time.

What has been one of your tougher experiences on set?
I had to wear heavy makeup for twelve hours for a shoot. I couldn't touch my face, the product was sticky, and it was cold out. It was for a web-series called 'Lauren' with Troian Bellisario.

What are some difficult aspects about working as a professional background artist?
If you're sick you just have to push through it. It's very hard to cancel once you get booked on something.

What work have you done to support your income as a background artist?
I have worked some construction. I have also done events staff, which is basically working security at sporting events and concerts.

Let's talk about your new endeavor. Are you looking forward to starting your office job?
Yes. You can't really put 'background artist' on a resume. I am excited because I feel like I am moving forward with my career.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I definitely want to work in the entertainment industry, maybe as a producer's assistant or a director's assistant.



Check out Caleb Garcia's IMDB page here.