Are background actors or movie extras the new peons — menial workers and drudges — of the New Mexico film industry? That’s how many men and women working as background actors in the booming New Mexico movie industry view the treatment they receive at the hands of the movie companies.
Two major components in making a film are the crew and the cast. Background actors are considered “cast” by most, but do not receive equal consideration in food, shelter, transportation and salary. The following are just a few examples:
Unionized workers are provided with basic shelter; with air-conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Background actors are not.
On some sets, food that is prepared for main actors and crews is of better quality than what is fed to the background actors. Special considerations, including dietary restrictions, are accommodated in food prepared for principal actors and crew, but not so for background actors.
Unionized workers are provided transportation and housing while the movie is in production. Background actors are not. Consider the current gas prices, and what it must cost the average background actor to drive an hour or more to the set.
While there is a minimum-wage established in Santa Fe, many production companies do not follow the law. The movie companies seem to be able to take advantage of those people who are intrigued with “being in a movie,” and even ask that the background actors work for free. Amazingly, some do and this causes further harm to the future of the background actors in New Mexico.
The true, hard facts are that New Mexico men and women who want to work in the film industry here are not being given the same considerations as those who work in Los Angeles, New York, Canada and other major film production areas.
Background actors are being asked to perform union jobs, such as running through fires, precision driving, etc., and being paid background actors wages for such roles. A typical day in one of the more established markets would go like this:
The first eight hours background actors would be paid straight time; from eight to 12 hours it is time and a half; and after that wages are doubled. Some productions that are receiving state incentives are not following these guidelines, or even coming close.
Some productions are not abiding by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some productions are requiring background actors to supply their own multiple wardrobes, without compensation. In major markets, there are union stewards on every production. These people are there to protect the principal actors and crew members. With all our state incentives, why aren’t background actors in New Mexico protected by a union?
Joy Kelley lives in Santa Fe.
