A 20-hour day in the life of a movie extra

I thought some of you may be interested in what goes into being an extra on a major motion picture. I find it a great opportunity to get a glimpse of a big budget set while getting paid.

My most recent adventure started the evening before when I prepared a breakfast, snacks and lunch in case I wasn’t fed well (sometimes we eat like royalty, and sometimes we don’t eat at all). I finalized and packed my wardrobe requirements and caught a few hours of sleep before getting up in the middle of the dark night to be “camera ready upon arrival” at my call time.  

My three hour drive into Chicago was fairly uneventful compared to my last “extra” trip into the city for Fred Claus during which I nearly hit a deer that was standing in the middle of the north bound lanes of Interstate 55 in the pitch dark at 3:00 a.m. My navigation system led me straight to the designated parking lot. Crew was already setting up nearby and that always sets my adrenaline a pumpin’.

First stop upon arrival was check-in where I picked up my pay voucher and, for the first time ever, I was also asked to sign (in two places) a (3-page) “confidentiality agreement” which I had to turn back in immediately. I agreed that I would not (among other details) participate in an interview with the press, divulge to family or friends, or post on the Internet anything I might see, hear, or read about the film. So there will be some <blanks to fill in> throughout the rest of this post. Feel free to use your <imagination>

Next stop: “Wardrobe.” Most of the outfit I was wearing was approved, but the gal wanted me to have one different <piece of clothing>. So, I had another first, wearing <something> off of the wardrobe rack, which I was given in exchange for my pay voucher. This was to insure that I returned the <thingamajig> at the end of the day to get my voucher back since I had to turn it in to get paid once they knew how many hours I worked (never been less than 12 hours and this time was no exception).

Then it was on to “Hair and Make-Up,” where I didn’t even make it completely into the room before I was told, “You look fine.” Yay.

So it was on to “Holding.” Part of the reason I like being an extra is meeting and observing the diverse crowd that assembles to be a part of the movie making experience (it brings out the sociologist in me). There are usually retirees getting out to enjoy something out of the ordinary, minimum wage earners for whom it is a better paying gig, corporate executives needing a break from the routine, aspiring actors hoping for that big break, and everything in-between.

The next few hours were spent getting to know new-found friends. We were the “talkative bunch” while others chose to keep to themselves to read or nap.

Some of my fellow actors were “allowed” outside briefly once an hour or so to smoke. Each time they came back and reported <what> and <who> they <you know>. Damn, I seriously considered taking up smoking,  I was missing <good stuff>!

Late morning we were sent out to a prop truck and <some people> were given <things>. We were thrilled to be outside and lollygagged as much as possible (not much!) to take a look around and check out what <was happening>.

Then we broke for an hour lunch, since, WHEW, we’d really been put through the ringer thus far. We were very well fed from an impressive spread. And then we sat, and sat, and sat some more. While others continued to sleep or read, the talkative bunch came up with names and back story for our “characters” and got to know one another better …and better.

And then we sat, and sat, and sat yet some more. We amused ourselves with betting on the fate of a truck that had become stuck in the narrow construction barricades in the street below. Would a tow truck have to be called? Would it inch its way out on its own? Would it be stuck there the rest of the day? Were we really this bored? Some “newbies” alternately threatened to bolt, became convinced we would be sent home without “ever doing anything!” and swore they would NEVER do this again. Veterans predicted they would change their tunes if and when the call finally came. And come it finally did.

We were escorted on set, given our instructions and <HOLY BIG WOW TIMES A BILLION> So, mark your calendars now for July 18th, 2008 when I will be able to reveal what I did, what and who I saw, where you might catch a glimpse of me in what may be <the coolest movie ever> and my new favorite movie line of all time.

Ciao