Pretty little shadows: EXTRAS

Pretty Little Shadows is a practical guide to background agencies in London - welcoming anyone who wants to work as an extra in film and television. Background work looks simple from the outside - stand here, walk there, don't look at the camera - but there's a whole system behind it that nobody explains to you before your first call time. This guide breaks that system down, drawn from years working on productions across London and the UK.
Inside, you'll learn how London casting agencies actually work, from registration through to getting booked for your first job. It covers what to expect on your first day on a London set: check-in, holding areas, wardrobe and continuity basics, and how to read the unwritten rules of set etiquette before anyone has to tell you twice. It walks through pay and booking systems, how call sheets and schedules work, the realities of long hours and last-minute changes, and how to build a reputation that keeps you getting rebooked on London productions.
This is a hands-on manual, not a memoir - written for anyone who wants to get into background work in London, or who's already doing it and wants to work smarter: fewer wasted days, better bookings, and more confidence navigating a set. Whether you're curious about what London set life is really like, prepping for your first shoot, or trying to turn occasional extras work into a steady, sustainable income, Pretty Little Shadows gives you the practical know-how that usually only comes from years of trial and error on London sets - no experience or connections required, everyone's welcome.