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So, say, you're an extra. Why in the world would you want to work for free on a movie? The first three years I did extra work, I ignored all calls for volunteer work. Shouldn't I be paid?
Generally, yes, you should.
However...
I went to the stadium shoot for The Dark Knight Rises, which called for volunteers. About 11,000 volunteers showed up. Even though I got heat exhaustion late in the day, I had a wonderful time and learned a lot about large scale movie-making. I didn't win anything and the food wasn't so hot, but that was OK. It was only one day. (Ironically, while I was in the stadium, I was called to work for pay the next day...and I had to turn it down because I was too busy working on another project to do a second day of movie work. Oh well...)
Last spring, I worked two days on Monongehala. That was ultra-ultra low-budget, and I had the chance to help run errands and carry equipment. The second day, I was more of a PA than an extra while I watched tables and guarded food while the crew was in another area shooting. Fun time.
So, if you have the time and some group making a movie on the cheap in Pittsburgh is making a movie (like, say, The Umbrella Man folks), you might consider donating a day of your time. If you really hate volunteering for a movie, don't do it, but if you don't, it's a worthwhile experience.
The Pittsburgh Film Office has a list of all kinds of projects, both volunteer and for pay.
