Would anyone here be an background extra in a commercial ad or film just to earn some cash?

of course. money is money and film is a great way to do it if you can. ads for me are iffy because they tend to take advantage of people. I actually did it and became an extra on one of the latest 'call of the wild' movies. it was fun. my bit ended its life on the slicing room floor, but hey, the money was the main intent, and I got it.

ps;;; try to get a bit part with a line or two. quite often it can be the difference between a $50 payday and a $500 day.

a friend of mine is part of the opening minutes of a western flick. he is shown working an old fashioned one man newspaper printing machine