Fees
are negotiable and depend on what is required, when, for how long and where
(together with our availability). Extras' fees depend on the role allocated - whether our performers supply their own
clothing/uniform and equipment or not, whether they are already
trained to carry out specific actions required (for instance, using period
weaponry or riding horses), whether SAs, walk-ons or supporting actors with
dialogue. Whatever the role, our rates are competitive and will certainly save you
money as you eliminate the costs of training, clothing and
equipping non-specialists.
Specialist extras: Fight trained military personnel or civilian extras that come complete with (as appropriate) clothing/uniform, weaponry, horses and training for a specific era, for example, Imperial Roman legionaries, mounted medieval knights, English Civil War musketeers and pikemen, C18th redcoats (left), WWII troops- we cover an enormous variety of eras. So if you need walk-ons, SAs or supporting actors to represent a particular era, don't re-invent the wheel - use our ready-trained performers and save yourself time, effort and money.
£100 to £160 per day.
Standard extras: Those that are trained to march, fight etc but needed to depict a role or era different to one(s) they normally fufill. You provide the costume/equipment, we provide the extras, soldiers, riders, fighters etc. Although the latter might need to (quickly) adapt to the minutiae of drill, tactics etc, they are still infinitely faster, more adaptable, believable and safer than untrained SAs/walk-ons starting from scratch. For example, our recent Tetley's Bitter shoot. We provided the trained soldiers, the production company provided the sets of armour from Gladiator. It worked extremely well.
£80 to £150 per day.
Please note that we regret that we cannot assist by supplying low-cost extras (ie, below the rates quoted above), as we believe that our specialist performers deserve appropriate recompense for their skills and time.
Stunts: Sometimes you need "that little but extra", for example, a horse and rider that can both safely fall. No problem! Generally £200-£275 per day.
On-set co-ordinator: General management of extras, co-ordinating fighting and other scenes as appropriate, ensuring authenticity & continuity: £225-£300 per day.
Consultant/historian: Research, scripting, advice: £200-£250 per day.
Art Director: Everything you'd expect, but with a historical twist: £250-275 per day.
Historical wardrobe manage: For someone that really knows their historical stuff! £150-£225 per day.
Armourer: Usually not necessary as our extras usually come "fully armed" complete with ammunition where necessary. But if required, normally £200-£300 per day.
Rates are subject to an additional modest Historical Film Services management fee as appropriate, including for prep days, plus expenses etc by agreement. We normally require that extras will be adequately "fed and watered" on set. Depending on shoot start times, basic overnight accommodation/camping facilities may be additionally required.
Full Historical Film Services public liability insurance cover (£5 million) applies in all cases.
All rates plus VAT.
You benefit from specialist expertise (for example, in the use of period weaponry). Such an investment would be well worth it, especially in films that seek to inform, entertain and impress increasing knowledgeable “niche” audiences who really can tell the difference between something well done or just cobbled together. The latter is no longer a realistic option if productions want to be taken seriously.
You will certainly save time. Our extras can complete complicated shoots in a fraction of the time non-specialists would take, especially if Historical Film Services is on hand to co-ordinate them. With 30 years experience and an excellent working relationship based on mutual trust and respect, we know exactly how to make the most of re-enactors as a valuable filming resource. They will be in the right place, at the right time, carrying out your requirements.
You will almost certainly make significant financial savings. Hire non-specialists and you have to find them, train them, cloth and equip them and if appropriate, arm them. The total cost can easily exceed £300 per day. With re-enactors, you cut out much of this cost.
You will enjoy peace of mind. No worries when you engage Historical Film Services!
"Why shouldn't we just hire a group of re-enactors instead and so save more production money?"
Well, there's nothing to stop you. However, it is rarely possible (or desirable) to hire whole re-enactment groups for token fees nowadays. In the early days of filming utilising re-enactors, many groups accepted little or no pay in the hope that participating would help raise the profile of their groups. It soon became obvious that this was neither realistic nor fair, so understandably top groups are no longer at all interested in this kind of arrangement. A fair fee (negotiable, but based on normal supporting artiste rates) is the norm. In our opinion, if a group offers their services well below the usual rate, there is usually a reason for this. There are a lot of re-enactors around and standards vary enormously from the quite superb to the less ideal.
So, if you want to guarantee safety, reliability and historical accuracy, consult Historical Film Services and use our skilled and experienced specialist historical extras. Our database contains hundreds of excellent individuals (and groups) available for screen work.
Oh yes...with our specialists, you won't suffer from "excuse me, it wasn't done like that" syndrome. Whilst we always strive for historical authenticity, what the director wants is what the director gets.
Make life simpler for your crew and save money. Call Historical Film Services on 01509 815645 and see how much easy it all becomes!
Historical Film Services is the TV and film division of EventPlan Limited.
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about Historical Film Services about Howard Giles Recreating the Battle of Orgreave
Updated 5 April 2008