# Background actors

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/background-actors
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Nick Harty, Storiara

> Background actors, often called extras, are performers who appear on camera without scripted lines to make a scene look populated, such as restaurant patrons, pedestrians, or a courtroom gallery. In a script breakdown they are marked green and listed by count and type, and on union shows they work under SAG-AFTRA background terms.

## Turning vague action lines into counts

Scripts rarely give numbers. "The bar is packed" and "a few regulars nurse beers" both describe background, and neither tells casting what to book. The breakdown's job is to turn them into counts with descriptions:

| Script line | Breakdown entry |
|---|---|
| "The bar is packed." | 30 BG: bar patrons, mixed ages, Friday-night casual |
| "A few regulars nurse beers." | 4 BG: regulars, 50s-60s, work clothes |
| "A BARTENDER slides a glass." | 1 featured BG: bartender (touches prop) |
| "Cops swarm the lot." | 8 BG: uniformed police (wardrobe fitting) |

Descriptions matter because background often arrive in their own clothes. "Work clothes, no logos, no white" lets them pack the right things. Uniforms, period costumes, and anything wet or bloody mean fittings and wardrobe budget, so flag them. See [wardrobe](https://storiara.com/glossary/wardrobe).

The bartender is a special case. A background actor who handles a prop or does a specific bit of business may be a [featured extra](https://storiara.com/glossary/featured-extra), and if the director hands them a line, they're a principal.

## Background across the schedule

Background counts are also a continuity issue. If the bar in scene 23 has the same regulars as scene 41 two story hours later, the same four people need to be booked on both shoot days. Mark "matching" on the [breakdown sheet](https://storiara.com/glossary/breakdown-sheet) so the [extras casting director](https://storiara.com/roles/extras-casting-director) books the same faces.

On the day, background check in at a [holding area](https://storiara.com/glossary/holding-area), fill out vouchers or the [sign-in sheet](https://storiara.com/glossary/sign-in-sheet), go through wardrobe and makeup, and wait for the [2nd AD](https://storiara.com/roles/second-assistant-director) or a set PA to place them. Large crowd days need extra PAs, more holding space, more restrooms, and more catering, all of which comes back to the count in the breakdown.

## Union rules to keep in mind

On SAG-AFTRA signatory productions, background work is covered by the union's background terms, which set pay, meal periods, and covered zones. The number of background actors who must be hired under union terms varies by agreement and area, and the low-budget agreements handle it differently from the main contracts. Check the current [SAG-AFTRA](https://storiara.com/glossary/sag-aftra) background digest or your production's agreement before assuming a number.

Upgrades are the budget risk. A background actor who is directed to speak a line other than group noise is generally upgraded to principal, which also affects [Exhibit G](https://storiara.com/glossary/exhibit-g) and residuals. Keep dialogue out of background mouths unless it's planned and budgeted.

Our [extras breakdown guide](https://storiara.com/blog/extras-breakdown) has a longer worked example, and the [casting breakdown template](https://storiara.com/templates/casting-breakdown) has a section for background counts.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are background actors and extras the same thing?

Yes. Background actor is the term SAG-AFTRA and most call sheets use now. Extras, atmosphere, and BG all mean the same people.

### What happens if a background actor says a line?

On SAG-AFTRA theatrical and TV productions, a background actor who is directed to speak a line (other than group noise, known as omnies) is generally upgraded to a principal performer and paid the difference. Check the current contract for the specific conditions.

### How do you figure out how many extras a scene needs?

Start with what the script says, then ask the director what the frame needs. A busy diner shot wide might need 20; the same scene covered in close-ups can get by with 8 who move between setups. Write the agreed count on the breakdown sheet.

### Who books background actors?

An extras casting director or background casting company, working from counts and descriptions the 2nd AD sends based on the breakdown.

## Sources

- [SAG-AFTRA: How does a background performer qualify for an upgrade to principal performer?](https://www.sagaftra.org/how-does-background-performer-qualify-upgrade-principal-performer)
- [SAG-AFTRA Background Actors Contracts Digest](https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/Background%20Actors%20Digest_0.pdf)