It’s really easy. If you show up at the studio dressed in business casual, you can work “on spec.” That means you’re not with any agency and if there is still space after the agencies supply their people, you’re in. While you’re standing in line, ask a few people who they’re with and sign up with that group leader. I was with 3 different groups for a while.
From audience member, I moved up to “TV background,” aka “extra.” That’s where you get the chance, miniscule though it may be, to work up to getting your SAG card.
Pay back in 2006 was a flat fee for up to 8 hours, time and a half up to 12 and “golden time” after that. I did an episode of Ghost Whisperer that took 14 hours to film. Nice paycheck that day! Also, you get incredible food. Especially if the stars are on the set.
One could argue that bumping a thread three days after the last post just to make a point about threadshitting, therefore not actually adding to the actual topic of the thread, is a form of threadshitting itself. Forum-shitting, really, since you’re bumping a dead thread for no good reason. Shame shame, BigT.
I didn’t see it mentioned, but the audience for Judge Judy is entirely paid actors, no general public. Apparently, the producers found it’s easier to control paid extras - misbehaving will not only get you kicked out without pay, but no callbacks either.
Also, people in the industry probably manage to be on camera for half an hour without excess squirming and fidgeting, sneaking a peek at their phone, picking their nose, etc.
