STEP ONTO SET PREPARED
Professional Supporting Artist Foundation Course
A practical two-day course designed to prepare new and aspiring Supporting Artists for the professional film and television environment.
Your first day on set shouldn’t feel like your first day
Film and television sets are fast-moving professional environments. Supporting Artists are expected to arrive prepared, follow instructions, understand set procedures and work professionally alongside cast and crew — often from their very first booking.
Step onto set prepared
Extras First bridges the gap between getting booked and knowing what to expect when you arrive.
The Professional Supporting Artist Foundation Course gives you practical knowledge of how a production works, what is expected from you and how to conduct yourself confidently and professionally on set.
What You’ll Learn
Build the practical knowledge you need to understand the set, work effectively with the production team and meet the professional standards expected of a Supporting Artist.
UNDERSTANDING THE FILM INDUSTRY
Learn how film and television productions are structured, how the production process works and where Supporting Artists fit within it.
THE ROLE OF A SUPPORTING ARTIST
Understand your responsibilities, what productions expect from you and how your contribution helps create believable scenes.
CALL SHEETS & CALL TIME
Learn how to read the information relevant to you, prepare for your booking, arrive correctly and understand what happens from call time onwards.
WORKING ON SET
Understand set procedures, communication, professional etiquette, waiting, movement, direction and how to work effectively with the Assistant Director team.
CONTINUITY & WORKING WITH DEPARTMENTS
Learn why continuity matters and how Supporting Artists work with Costume, Hair and Make-up and other production departments.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE & SAFETY
Develop the professional behaviour, awareness, reliability and safety-conscious approach expected throughout a production.
THE TWO-DAY COURSE
Two days of focused, practical preparation designed to take you from understanding how a professional production works to knowing how to conduct yourself confidently on set.
DAY ONE — UNDERSTANDING THE SET
Build the foundations for professional set work.
Learn how film and television productions operate, understand the role of the Supporting Artist and the production team, and become familiar with the processes that shape a typical working day.
Day One covers the production process, call sheets, call times, set terminology and what to expect from arrival through to working on set.
DAY TWO — WORKING PROFESSIONALLY
Turn your knowledge into professional practice.
Explore on-set behaviour, etiquette, continuity, working with the AD department and other production departments, health and safety, and the professional standards expected throughout a production.
Practical exercises and scenarios will help you apply what you have learned and prepare for real situations you may encounter on set.
Who Is This Course For?
The course is designed for people who want to enter the film and television industry with a clear understanding of what will be expected of them.
It is suitable for:
NEW SUPPORTING ARTISTS
If you are considering Supporting Artist work and want to understand the industry before stepping onto set.
REGISTERED BUT INEXPERIENCED
If you have already joined a casting or Supporting Artist agency but have little or no professional set experience.
EARLY-CAREER SUPPORTING ARTISTS
If you have completed some bookings but want to strengthen your understanding of set procedures, professional etiquette and industry expectations.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE BETTER PREPARED
If you want practical preparation and a professional foundation rather than learning everything for the first time while working on set.
NO PREVIOUS FILM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
The course starts with the fundamentals and is designed to prepare beginners for the realities and expectations of professional Supporting Artist work.
WHAT YOU’LL RECEIVE
The course combines structured learning, practical preparation and materials you can continue to use after the course.
TWO DAYS OF FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING
Focused classroom training covering the essential knowledge and professional practices required for Supporting Artist work.
PROFESSIONAL COURSE HANDBOOK
Your own course handbook — designed both to support your training and to provide a practical reference after the course.
PRACTICAL EXERCISES & SCENARIOS
Work through realistic situations that help you understand how to respond appropriately and professionally on set.
KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT
Consolidate what you have learned and check your understanding of the key principles covered during the course.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Receive an Extras First certificate confirming completion of the Professional Supporting Artist Foundation Course.
MORE THAN KNOWING WHERE TO STAND
THE EXTRAS FIRST STANDARD
Professional Supporting Artist work is not simply about appearing in the background of a scene.
Productions rely on Supporting Artists who are prepared, reliable, attentive and able to work professionally as part of a much larger team.
Throughout the course, you will develop the professional standards that underpin successful Supporting Artist work:
PREPARATION
Arrive informed, organised and ready for the working day.
RELIABILITY
Be punctual, available and dependable throughout the production.
AWARENESS
Understand what is happening around you, listen carefully and follow direction.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR
Communicate appropriately, respect boundaries and contribute positively to the working environment.
SAFETY
Recognise your responsibility for working safely and following production procedures.
PROFESSIONALISM IS A PRACTICE
The Extras First approach is designed to help you develop professional habits from your first day on set — and carry them into every production that follows.
ABOUT EXTRAS FIRST
Extras First was created around a simple idea: new Supporting Artists should have the opportunity to understand the professional set environment before they are expected to work within it.
For many people, their first booking may also be their first experience of a professional film or television production. Yet from the moment they arrive, they are expected to follow instructions, understand procedures, work safely and behave professionally as part of a large production team.
The Professional Supporting Artist Foundation Course was developed to bridge that gap.
Extras First provides structured, practical preparation that helps aspiring Supporting Artists understand not only what happens on set, but what is expected of them when they get there.
Our focus is on preparation, professionalism and respect for the production process.
BE PREPARED
BE PROFESSIONAL
BE SET READY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I NEED PREVIOUS FILM OR TELEVISION EXPERIENCE?
No. The Professional Supporting Artist Foundation Course is designed with beginners in mind. It introduces the professional set environment from the foundations upwards, so no previous Supporting Artist experience is required.
DO I NEED TO BE REGISTERED WITH A SUPPORTING ARTIST AGENCY?
No. You do not need to be registered with an agency to attend the course. The training can be useful whether you are considering Supporting Artist work, preparing to register with agencies or have already started applying for bookings.
DOES COMPLETING THE COURSE GUARANTEE ME WORK?
No. Supporting Artist bookings are determined by casting requirements and production needs, and Extras First cannot guarantee employment. The purpose of the course is to help you become better informed, prepared and professionally ready when opportunities arise.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING?
You will receive practical information before the course explaining what to bring and how to prepare. Your course materials will be provided as part of the training.
WILL I RECEIVE A HANDBOOK?
Yes. Participants receive the Professional Supporting Artist Foundation Course handbook to use during the training and as a practical reference afterwards.
WILL I RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE?
Yes. Participants who complete the course will receive an Extras First Certificate of Completion for the Professional Supporting Artist Foundation Course.
HOW LONG IS THE COURSE?
The course is delivered over two days. Full timings and joining information will be provided before the course.
WHERE DOES THE COURSE TAKE PLACE?
Courses are planned for London and Budapest. Location details and available course dates will be published when bookings open.
IS THE COURSE AN ACTING COURSE?
No. Extras First focuses specifically on the role of the Supporting Artist and the professional knowledge, procedures, behaviour and expectations associated with working on film and television productions.