Here in Germany there are a number companies that care about extras in films as well as TV-productions. Often, these companies call themselves extras casting agencies or agencies.
These companies are the intermediaries between the extras and the film and television production companies. There are even some TV channels that occupy their own extras (for example the Hessische Rundfunk in Frankfurt). At all companies you must sign-up yourself to end up as an extra. Usually the rules for registration are the same, but in order to do absolutely nothing wrong, it is worth checking out the website of the agency or make a quick telephone call there.
Mostly two images are required by the extras (full body and a portrait photo). Additionally you must fill out a sheet about yourself. Principal rule here: If possible, use up to date and pro images (eg through photographers). So do not use a fuzzy picture of your most recent vacation.
You get the questionnaire page from the agency or you can get it on the website. It identifies the main facts about you: name, address, phone number occupation, etcetera. Also you must enter specific information about yourself here, which are significant for upcoming job extras: eg Body sizing (for costumes that will fit later), driver's licenses, languages you speak, special skills that you can (eg dancing). That is also significant for the upcoming selection of extras, so that on the set every single extra fits exactly in his or her role. Certain questions are also in the paper: eg if you can imagine, to be naked while in front of the camera. If no, this is not a problem.
If you have already worked as an actor, you may also list this in the document. But check this only if you really have something to offer as an actor. Let it be, if you're shy and / or stutters regularly.
When you have your documents sent to your agency, you have to wait. As soon as the agency has a requirement for you, they will call you. And please don't bother the agency with calls, mainly because they did not call you in the next days. If you're lucky, an agency calls you in the next couple of days and you will play your first extra role in your lifetime right before a camera.
A good summary of the job field and with a lot of extra Information can be found on the german page www.komparsewerden.de. There you can also find a lot of addresses of casting companies that are all over germany.
