For many, the dream of being in a film may seem far away. However, if you just want the movie experience, why not be an extra? The pay isn’t fantastic, but all you’re really going to do is stand around all day in the background, right? Plus, it can give you an excellent look at the behind-the-scenes of movie making.

Now, in order to get an extra role in a big film like Harry Potter, you are going to have to complete some basic steps.

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself With Casting Services

Well, if you haven't acted in school plays and high school drama classes, you can do classes and/or productions through your local community colleges theatre arts/drama programs, in community theatre, and in films made by Film Students at local universities without any prior experience (all of these performances are
acceptable on a resume).

Tips from a Hollywood Actress

A few days ago, I received an email from one of our readers, a mother whose daughter is a successful actor in LA. She told me that her husband - who works at a hospital - overhead a young patient proclaim that she didn't need great grades in school because she planned on being an actress. This prompted her to contact her own daughter - Tara - and ask her to write a letter to this young girl.

Here it is:

Dear Alexis -

Depends. Support via money helps, so long as it is not the total source of income. (See comments above). Some actors succeed in spite of stage door parents. Some succeed because of stage door parents. Some actors have parents who would barricade the stage door if they could. Some don't need emotional or financial support from family. Some do much better the less they see their parents. It is nice to have an emotionally supportive family. It is not necessary.