A good article on how to behave on set, what to look for and most importantly how to get ahead as a movie Extra has been posted over at conanstevens.com
After all you do not want to be a low paid movie extra for all your life do you, it is much more enjoyable as an actor
Link is here Movie Extras Tips
There are two strong cases here, one for and one against. You will have to decide on the route to take and then stick with it 100%. If you take any other option then you are hurting your career.
Established actors should NEVER in any circustamce take a job as an extra, even if you need the money, you are basically telling the agents and directors that you will work for cheap, this will come to bear on any future negotiations. In non union jobs you may find yourself hired as an Extra but then asked to say a few lines (ie acting for Extra pay).
However as a beginning actor the rules are much different.
Either you can take the Extras work to meet people and make contacts, also to gain experience of being on set, as well as collecting the pay.
Or you can avoid Extras work as you are an Actor / Actress, this follows my personal belief given to me by Michael Caine - take a job for the role offered and not the money - it will be better for your future in the long run.
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