If you need some extra cash, I have two fun and fast ways to achieve this. It’s also a great way to take in the whole experience of Hollywood and LA and a bonus if you are looking to break into the media/entertainment industry. Both are slightly competitive but worth the effort.
Promotional modeling. I started promo modeling when I was 23 and have promoted a variety of health, beauty, shows, concerts and food products, but my main specialty is wine, beer and spirits. I started out as a promo model and worked my way up to a lead manager with an agency in Minneapolis. I later learned about being a liquor rep and did some side work. To this day I still do rep work, I love pushing sales and educating customers about new brands, it’s so much fun for me! The best part about promo modeling are the people you meet and the friendships you make (hi Wing!).
The best agencies to check out are MKTG, Greenhouse Agency and Team Enterprises. They are reliable, responsible and care about their employees. Make sure you have nice photos to upload to the application! Also check out the Facebook group Brand Ambassadors of Greater Los Angeles, where people always post upcoming promos in need of ambassadors.
Most agencies pay anywhere between $20 – $30/hour. Hours vary but the weekends are the heaviest for work. For a liquor season, the busiest times are September – December due to holidays and college is back in session. It’s very go go go for me but I love it! You have your on premise (bars, restaurants, nightclubs) that last about 1 – 2 hours and off premise (retail stores) that last 3 hours.
You want to be with an agency that cares and pays their employees on time. I have run into my fair share of promo companies who took sometimes 5 months to pay! In these cases I had to be persistent and there were a few instances where I had to write the president of the company demanding my pay!
Become an extra in a TV show or movie. I’m not much of an actress but I don’t mind standing around and looking cute! The best casting agencies in LA by far are Sande Alessi Casting, Central Casting and Jeff Olan Casting. You have to physically go to the offices to have your picture taken, pay a fee and fill out paperwork. Then they will give you a phone number to call that is updated a few times a day with different opportunities. You leave your information on the machine and pray they call you back. Depending on the agency, you have to have an updated photo every 6 months to a year.
I was able to be a background extra in the hit show “Private Practice” through Jeff Olan and the Adam Sandler movie “Jack and Jill” through Sande Alessi. I was also almost an extra on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but production got canceled.
Watching Adam Sandler direct was a special treat. The scene was across the street from Hustler Magazine in Hollywood at the Saban Theatre. I remember 1,000 of us extras waiting at Hustler for the production crew to take us over. The scene had Al Pacino (the legend) acting out a Shakespeare play and Bruce Jenner was also playing a guard (no dialogue though) on stage. Adam told different parts of the crowd when to stand, cheer, go and “get snacks” from the concession stand, etc… I wish I had photos but we were prohibited from taking them.
Originally for “Private Practice (episode “Can’t Find My Way Home”), I was suppose to have my car in different scenes on the street. Because the show was based in Los Angeles, I still had Minnesota plates on my car. The casting agency then decided to have me as an extra in a park, an art building and later at a school where the cafeteria scene was shot. That’s where I met Kate Walsh.
Kate was down-to-earth and so cool. I remember thinking about the times back in Minnesota where my co-worker and I would watch Grey’s Anatomy at home and talk about it the next day at work, mostly about Meredith, Addison and Derek. And now here I was, meeting “Addison.”
In the scene I was suppose to grab food from the cafeteria and then walk around towards the front where I was to sit down and start chatting with people. I remember all the cafeteria had were a couple pieces of fruit and a ton of blueberry muffins. In between takes, Kate looked at me and said, “What are you a muffin whore?!” 🙂
I also remember where we had to stop one of the takes because of me! As I walked around to the front I forgot I was in heels and the floor made sounds from all the clunking. After I took a few steps I immediately went on my tip toes to stop the sound, but it was too late. “CUT!” the director yelled out. The crew then had to put some soft foam onto my shoes.
Another good perk about being an extra: you get fed well. I had a breakfast cart at the park scene, some sandwiches at the art building and later taco and BBQ food trucks for the cafeteria scene. Take advantage!
Typical pay for these non-union jobs are $60 for an 8-hour day. Very low, but it’s the experience and people you meet that make it worthwhile. Most of the work is done Monday – Friday, hours vary. Unfortunately, because I have a full time job Monday – Friday and freelance, I had to hang up my extra reigns in 2011.
But I still have great memories. 🙂
