No one knows their names; often their faces remain unclear, yet they-these extras, as they're called in the industry-play a crucial role in creating the atmosphere of a film.

Anyone can become an extra, but not everyone can truly be an extra because this job demands good health, perseverance, and endurance.

Extras participated in a scene in "Toward the Fire" - a film largely set in Da Nang. Photo by film crew.

Hardships abound

One July evening in 2023, Nguyen Son Thuy, a medical staff member at the Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, temporarily set aside her job to portray a nurse assisting in firefighting. Amidst the smoke effects, she ran back and forth through a narrow alley, so immersed in her role that she didn't notice injuring her toes. Only after the scene ended did she realize her injury. Aware of the crew's busyness, she quietly treated her wound, later having a doctor visit her home to bandage it. Despite the pain, Thuy cherishes this memory and remains eager for more acting opportunities.

Meanwhile, Mr Ho Tan Trung, who traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang for filming, chose not to use a stuntman for a scene where a passenger bus falls into a river. He spent five hours immersed in water, enduring multiple scratches from sharp rocks but found joy in his craft. On another morning, Ms Pham Thi Dinh, from Lien Chieu District, filmed continuously for nearly 15 hours, yet stayed cheerful. On that same day, Mr Nguyen Duy Dung, also from Lien Chieu, lost count of how many times he changed outfits to take on different roles in the film.

These are just a few of the countless challenges faced by extras, ranging from waiting all day to perform, enduring scorching sun or pouring rain, being scolded, eating on the run, facing unequal treatment, rushed schedule changes, and potential risks. Despite these challenges, their screen time often lasts less than a second or passes by in a flash, barely noticed.

Yet, without extras, the "breath" of a film would be incomplete. Scenes like the school closure in "Dreamy Eyes" or the medieval market in "The Last Wife," directed by Victor Vu, wouldn't be lively and bustling without the participation of hundreds of extras. Similarly, the festival at Lang Thanh Nam Hai in "Face Off 7" by director Ly Hai gained its vibrant colors from these "nameless” individuals. Though they may only be in the background, extras connect with lead actors, helping to create a realistic backdrop for the story and adding depth to various scenes.

"Headache" in finding extras

The profession of extras has long existed in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, offering a diverse range of individuals. Extras can be drama school students striving for small roles, part-time workers seeking additional income, or financially stable individuals driven by passion. With varying ages, professions, appearances, and genders, film crews can comfortably select personnel suitable for each role. Additionally, the development of social media has made recruiting extras easier through specialized groups and communities, where extras professionally apply with good photos and specific personal information. This opens up opportunities but also increases competition.

However, the profession of extras is relatively new in Da Nang, where local film productions are few. This presents a particular challenge for Bui Van Dat, who manages extras for a television series set in Da Nang. "It's not difficult to gather a large number of young people, but finding and persuading middle-aged and elderly individuals to participate in filming is a challenge. Some lack the stamina to keep up with the schedule or work overnight, while others hesitate due to modest compensation," Dat shared.

Finding enough people leads to another challenge, namely experience, because extras are usually newcomers to the film set. They often struggle with commands, prepare their costumes incorrectly despite thorough instructions, are unused to working at night, and can be awkward in acting. They require constant supervision, encouragement, and reminders from the extras management team. "But luckily, they're all very responsible and always willing to collaborate with the management team or the film crew. Many scenes involve a lot of running back and forth or enduring rain and cold until dawn, but they all persevere," Dat recounted.

Sweet fruit of perseverance

Being an extra also presents an opportunity to showcase talent and prove one's abilities. Many well-known faces, such as Quyen Linh, Tran Thanh, Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc, Lanh Thanh, Le Duong Bao Lam, Xuan Nghi, Quach Ngoc Tuyen, and Duy Khanh, started their careers as extras. Their success stems from their love for the profession, perseverance, and determination. Le Anh Ton, who was born in 1991, is a testament to success forged from such hardships.

After four years in the arts in South Korea, Le Anh Ton's name appeared on Naver, South Korea's largest search engine, affirming his status as a genuine actor. However, his journey to success began with days immersed in extra roles, despite holding a master's degree in Telecommunications Electronics. Ton has participated in over 40 films, playing roles ranging from journalists and police officers to court officials and students in period dramas. "Being an extra in South Korea is tough, with the lowest pay and long hours. Each shoot requires extensive preparation, sometimes working until 1 to 2 a.m. Working with a good crew is fine, but aggressive leaders can lead to rejection. So, I'm always prepared and fully focused" Ton shared.

Despite the hardships, Ton cherishes many memories from his days as an extra, especially the warmth shown by the Korean people. They were always caring and supportive, offering advice and encouragement, which brought him happiness. "This job is tough, but it motivates me to pursue my dreams seriously. Eventually, I was fortunate to be recognized as a real actor. Those past hardships have made me the strong Le Anh Ton of today. Being an extra will always be a beautiful memory for me," Ton expressed emotionally.

With their silent yet significant contributions, extras deserve recognition as a crucial part of film crews, receiving respect and compensation that matches their efforts and dedication.

Reporting by DIEP VY - Translating by T. VY