Homeless Extras

The Union of the Audiovisual Industry of São Paulo State (SIAESP), in collaboration with the NGO Aliança da Misericórdia (Mercy Alliance in english), launches the innovative project "Homeless Extras," aiming to integrate homeless talents into the workforce by hiring them as extras in movies, TV series, and commercials. After all, the audiovisual industry utilizes large urban settings for its productions, and this project not only includes those who call the streets their home in these narratives but also creates opportunities for vulnerable groups. The importance of this campaign is highlighted even more in light of recent actions in Hollywood, where, over the last three months, high-profile productions such as a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in Sacramento and the sequel to "Bad Boys 4" in Miami, displaced homeless people from filming locations.

The Brazilian audiovisual industry, with an estimated economic impact of $10 billion, is responsible for creating approximately 657,000 jobs, both direct and indirect. So far, more than 40 production companies have joined the "Homeless Extras" campaign, enhancing the opening of new job opportunities and revealing talents previously invisible to society.

In Brazil, the role of an extra does not require formal licenses, and payment is made in cash at the end of the recordings. This practice ensures fair and equal remuneration, important for the integration of these individuals into the labor market, especially benefiting those without access to banking services. Additionally, the Audiovisual Industry Union of São Paulo, in partnership with non-governmental organizations, has developed an online talent bank to assist production companies in finding these homeless talents and to promote inclusion.

Aricio Fortes, a creative leader and responsible for the idea of the campaign, reveals the issue behind the idea: "If the film industries often shoot on the streets, why not giving them a role? These films gain a more realistic cast." concludes Aricio.

The project has the support of important organizations from the film and television sector, including ABRACI, ABTA, APRO, BRAVI, CONNE, ICAB, MIS, and SICAV. The Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP) also supports the initiative.