Help Homelessness by Employing Extras

Just in case you hadn’t noticed, today is Christmas eve eve – and while for some, that may draw a sigh of irritation, for others it will undoubtedly bring out squeals of excitement.

Traditionally, the Christmas holidays are a time for reuniting with family and friends to eat, drink and be merry… But can you imagine a Christmas without this familiar tradition?

Now, I don’t mean to set a dreary tone ahead of the festive season, but spare a thought for the homeless.

DDB & Tribal Worldwide has launched an extras agency in partnership with Amsterdam-based organisation De Volksbond to provide jobs for homeless people in the New Year.

Homeless Extras attempts to convince production companies to hire homeless people as extras for films and TV ads – considering that extras don’t really need formal training or particular skills, looks or qualifications for the job.

Extras will be paid a set daily rate and will receive food on-set, as per usual regulations.

To test the idea, the agency and De Volksbond employed a large group of homeless people to work as extras on a commercial production (above) – much to the crew's delight.

When hiring a homeless extra, a Volksbond member will accompany them on set and be responsible for all their claims. The homeless extra will receive half of the pay cheque, while the rest will go towards funding the Volksbond member and helping employ more homeless people.

If this sounds of interest, email Volksbond directly via the website.

“The advertising industry all over the world has a huge need of extras and, one day, we got to thinking that this could be a brilliant way to support and build confidence among people who have hit hard times,” says the agency’s co-CEO Ivo Roefs.