If you're set on becoming famous and achieving worldwide recognition on the silver (or plasma?) screen, I'm sorry to inform you that you basically have to work your way through. There's no luck puring down from the sky, no agents waiting after the corner and no famous Hollywood directors calling and contacting people in order to get a hold of you. You have to work hard and be perseverant in order to make it as a world renowned actor. Simply put, you have to be the best. And you have to start somehow. Assuming that you did your fair share of theater plays and commercials, the next step is to get a glimpse of what's "behind the scenes". In order to do that, you can start working as a movie extra.
Movie extras are everywhere in the film industry. Almost every modern Hollywood production works with movie extras. For example, take your random blockbuster. As the protagonist walks down on a street, you'll see dozens of people surrounding him. They have no particular purpose other than just being there. Or, as the lead actor enters a bar and orders a drink, you'll see that the bar is crowded and other people are doing the same activity. Those are movie extras. They're meant to add authenticity to the production and give it a "real life" feeling. Directors are always on the look-out for movie extras, and you don't need to be drop dead gorgeous or extremely talented in order to be casted.
If you live in a major city, such as Los Angeles or New York, the odds you'll end up working as a movie extra at the start of your career are pretty big. Movies are being filmed there on a perpetual basis, and there's a constant need for movie extras. If you live in another state, simply browse the internet and see what offers you can find. You're bound the get a hold of something.
Working as a movie extra doesn't really pay out. You'll probably also have to wait several hours on the set before getting to film your part, and you'll have to arrive early. But the experience completely makes up for the rest. You'll get to know what actually happens on a movie set, you'll see your favorite actors to work, you'll see directors, you'll make friends, you'll establish contacts. It's a great opportunity. Take advantage of it and make the best out of the experience!
