# How does one get a job playing a corpse in movies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 29, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368 "2002-10-29T06:04:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368/21 "2002-10-30T17:55:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weeks \* > \*\* > > Why would you call the IA? They’re the union representing construction, special effects, grips, electricians, riggers etc… > \*\* In Vancouver, they also represent stuntmen and do know about who needs extras. Or at least, that’s the only union I’ve ever heard my acting buddies mention. As for Adelaide-- why does everyone in Australia come from Adelaide? My relatives, three of my co-workers, every Ozzie I meet in a bar… ---
**Author:** ![Weeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbce88/32.png) [@Weeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weeks)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368/22 "2002-10-31T02:51:26Z")
The IA does not represent actors or stuntmen/women.(also actors) They are rep’d by SAG.( and allied guilds) Taken from [this](http://www.iatse.lm.com/1intro.html) site. > [@](#): > > I.A. members are also integral to the production, distribution and exhibition of film and video. Among the classifications of workers we represent in this field are art directors, story analysts, animators, set designers and set decorators, scenic artists, graphic artists, set painters, grips, electricians, property persons, set builders, teachers, costumers, make up artists, hair stylists, motion picture and still camerapersons, sound technicians, editors, script supervisors, laboratory technicians, projectionists, utility workers, first aid employees, inspection, shipping, booking and other distribution employees. Funny thing, puppeteers are also SAG( and allied guilds) [Russian stunt union](http://www.mech.ru/e_default.asp) [Indian stunt association news](http://www.chitraloka.com/sections/scoop/hassanraghu_exposed.html) [Danes…](http://www.stuntmen.dk/stunts/team.html) [AND FINALLY](http://www.stuntwise.com/08_faq.html) Hey, Barbarian. Did you grow up in Toronto, by any chance? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368/23 "2002-10-31T03:27:00Z")
You don’t necessarily have to be SAG to work on a film. There are plenty of non-union shoots going on all the time. Since you’re in the Vancouver area, F\_X, you might be able to find some extra work there if you want. (Don’t know about your friend in Adelaide though.) Down here we have _Drama-Logue_, which lists union and non-union shoots. You may have something up there. Check the film commission. My best **fiend** played a corpse in my first film. He’s returned the favour by killing me in a few of his films. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368/24 "2002-10-31T06:26:01Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\* Thus, a crew member played the corpse in the movie Fargo._\* I thought they used a chuck roast in the last scene. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_Holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a5b964/32.png) [@Mycroft\_Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_Holmes)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368/25 "2002-10-31T13:21:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > **My best fiend played a corpse in my first film.** Well, duh. What else could a fiend possibly have played. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368/26 "2002-10-31T17:54:50Z")
In Star Trek: Wear a red shirt In a horror flick there are lots of ways: 1. Get naked 2. Go somewhere alone Usually, though, it comes down to having the smallest breasts if you are a girl. Usually. Guys just always end up dead or really, really ugly by the end. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368/27 "2002-10-31T20:32:26Z")
[hijack] > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weeks \* > \*\* > Hey, Barbarian. Did you grow up in Toronto, by any chance? \*\* Born there. Convinced parents to return to uber-cool Montreal for my childhood. Probably spent a year of my life in TO through vacations and internships. I pray I never have to live there [/hijack] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-a-job-playing-a-corpse-in-movies/134368.md?page=1)