SAG-AFTRA Podcast: "Background Actors Step Forward"

Background actors are the often seen but seldom heard heroes of film and television shows. They are essential to authentically depicting the different worlds and settings audiences see in theaters and at home, and their skills and talents have helped their better-known colleagues create some of their most endearing and enduring performances. But, being a background actor comes with its own set of challenges which requires reexamination of common myths and misconceptions held up by other performers and industry professionals alike.

In this episode of the podcast, we step away from the foreground and into the background actor’s shoes. Hosts SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David White are joined by Central Casting’s Executive Vice President Jennifer Bender, as well as members Linda Harcharic of the SAG-AFTRA Background Actors and Education & Outreach Committee and Avis Boone of the SAG-AFTRA New York Background Actors Committee and co-president of the New York-based Women in the Arts and Media Coalition. The group discusses background work from the perspectives of both the actor and casting professional, and Harcharic and Boone give their firsthand perspectives into their careers as background performers in today’s landscape.

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The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s endorsement.