I WAS DROPPED BY MY AGENT!!

"Meaty extras roles?" That's a new one. Good to know there's an agent out there with the special skill to be able to 'open doors' for people to get a slice of that pie though. Kudos to the agent who was frank with you about your look and what you have to offer the professional acting industry at this time. He obviously hasn't yet mastered the art of placing people in 'meaty extras roles'. I do work professionally, and like most actors, my fortunes ebb and flow. A few years ago the ebbs were increasingly outnumbering the flows. A frank evaluation of the 'package' I had to offer was necessary. For me, the solution came in changing how I marketed myself. My photos, profile, show reel, online vibe and the kind of roles I was applying for were more representative of a younger 'me'. Everything needed updating, including my perceptions of what roles I was now best suited for. Basically, I had to start looking and acting my age and being confident about it. It paid off. My audition and bookings strike rate went up because I was now aiming at the right targets. There's nothing particularly special, striking or unique about my look either. I'm kind of a Jill Average and there are plenty of others out there with similar specs. But I get work though, because I understand where I fit into the game and how to exploit the opportunities available to me. Maybe a rethink about your professional actor image and what attributes you are showcasing might help get the ball rolling. Do your photos and show reel represent who you are now or have they become fond shrines to a halcyon year partying on the amateur theatre circuit? Is that 'wacky' monologue you filmed 10 years ago still the right thing to show casting directors now? You get the idea.... Nothing wrong with signing up for extras as a starting point to get you into the game. Avoid the 'meaty extras' lady though. Use professionals for photos and show reels. Don't knock the Domino's idea either. Regular day jobs are a necessity for at least 90% of actors in this country. If all your financial eggs aren't in the 'acting basket' then you will be in a much better position to ride out the ebbs when they come. A life and identity away from the madness of the acting world is really important too. I hope this helps. Keep us all posted if you have any changes of fortune. Good luck!