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Debby Gaudet is currently the background casting coordinator on local production One Nation Under God and has helped her acting students land roles in Stranger Things and Underground. So she knows the ins and outs of life here in Hollywood South. Here are her tips for landing a part as an extra in the city.

1. Get your acting kit together.
You need: a headshot and a full-body shot, reliable transportation to the set and a small wardrobe. “Usually casting directors ask background actors to bring several outfit options with them,” she says. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but go to Goodwill and pick up a variety of outfits that you can pull for different characters: a homeless character, a nurse, a preppy look or a corporate look.”

2. Find the audition.
The easiest way to get auditions is to register with a casting company.

Gaudet recommends:
• Coulon Casting, couloncasting.com
• RPM Casting
• Caballero Casting, facebook.com/CaballeroCasting
• Glorioso Casting, gloriosocasting.com

You can also find casting calls on social media. Join Facebook groups such as Gulf South Actors, Gulf South Entertainment Professionals and CastingCarpool.

3. Practice good etiquette if you want to get a callback.
Have a positive attitude. Show up on time, follow instructions, bring the requested paperwork and identification and be quiet on set.

4. Prepare for a long day and take it all in while you’re there. You never know what you’ll see or who you’ll meet.

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This article was originally published in the May 2017 issue of 225 Magazine.