I really enjoyed observing the actual processes of making a TV show and I LOVED the energy on set.
I didn't love hanging out with most of the other Extras. Does this make me a bitch? Or an anti-social writer? Trick question, it's both.
Here is the breakdown of the 100 or so people that were there filling out a fake courtroom:
65% of the Extras were insane people. I mean, people that were trying to make a full time career out of being an Extra and expecting each time to get discovered. They were easily identified by a desperate glint in their eye and the ability to corner you and shove their dreams and hopes down your throat. They would also wrongly refer to themselves as "writers", "directors", "actors" but when asked what they had created or had published they would hem and haw (more on this later).
These people made me understand how Ryan Seacrest must feel when he has to interact with American Idol hopefuls during their auditions.
20% of the Extras were actual aspiring actors, writers, directors who had worked on or were working on other projects and were using this gig to gain more experience, meet like minded people or just to be around it all. I found these people quickly and we exchanged cards.
10% of the Extras were just checking it out... probably not going to do it again, and have professions in other fields... but y'know... they had some days off of work and just wanted to see what it's all about.
5% of the Extras were in it solely for paycheck. They were easily identified as the people who would loudly complain about getting paid generous amounts of dollars to sit on their asses all day.
In short, it was nothing like this:
Sad Face.
As mentioned earlier... 65% of the Extras were crazy pants and would refer to themselves as anything but deluded. To quote the show:
"How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling the tail a leg, doesn't make it a leg."
Would you call yourself a doctor if you've never been to medical school? No?
Right, you're not a doctor.
So guess what? You can't call yourself an actor if the only thing you've ever done is stand behind Johnny Depp in "Public Enemies". Aspiring? SURE! But, established? NO!
Another thing I noted was (and I've mentioned this earlier), how HOT the PA's were.
After the first day you start to realize, "STARS! They're just like us..." and you get bored with being star struck. Your eyes may wander to that... (insert SOUTHERN BELLE ACCENT here): tall drinka' watah PA. You know, the one with the Corey Feldman in "Stand by Me" glasses. Ya... re-adjust that lighting thingy... and carry that heavy panel off set, sugah. Ooo-wee... look at yo' muscles...
... Is it gettin' hot in hee-yah? Or is it just you? Mmmm, I'm gettin' the vaypahs.
Can I get you anythin'? Maybe a tall glass'a lemonade? No? That's fine, sugah... don't you worry a thahng about not bein' able to drink lemonade while you ah workin' so hahd... Miss Beauregarde understands... mm-hmm...
Okay, I'm done.
And now for an open letter portion of this blog:
TO A CERTAIN ACTOR:
It's very rude to stare at people that are not celebrities. It makes us feel self conscious and we are ill equipped for it. It creeped me out. You, however... should be used to it by now.
"S-T-A-R-I-N-G, I can't stop staaarrriiiinnngg!!" - No Doubt
TO THE GIRLS WHO PRIMPED AND PREENED BETWEEN EVERY SINGLE SCENE:
Unless you're sitting in the judge's lap, nobody will be able to notice whether or not your lip gloss has been freshly applied.
"Do I have enough lip glawss awn? I just wanna make sho-ah I have enough lip glawss... I need my mouth to look shiny in case I get discovahd"
TO THE ACTORS:
When it's someone's job to bring you your lavender Uggs and zip up hoodie in between scenes...
When your trailer is parked a mere block away from the set...
When you have 9 takes to perfect the tone of your dialogue...
When snacks are showered upon you like the happy tears of a unicorn...
Even when your call time is 9 AM and you've been on set for over 13 hours...
... they're not HARD days, they're just LONG days.
4 comments:
Should I add "extra" to MY bucket list? It sounds like an interesting thing to do for a day or three...kinda like jury duty, maybe?
I sure do hope we get to see YOU entering, and sitting in, the courtroom...that would be soooo cool!
This post reminds me of when I was working at Gillette Stadium during the filming of "The Gameplan" starring The Rock. Those extras were extra delusional because they were convinced that they were going to be discovered out of the crowd of 400 people. One man wandered off, missed a take and seemed genuinely shocked that they could film without him. I didn't have the heart to point out that one section over his same role was being played by a 1/2 of a mannequin.
Who's the guy in the staring picture? The Matador?
Also, I'm sad that being an Extra isn't exactly like being on 'Extras.'
Mom - let's be Extras for a historical re-enactment to be aired on PBS.
Tom - That's hilarious. There were people in between takes collecting their thoughts, literally doing stretches and getting into character. Not necessary.
Liz - That's Esteban, the matador.
And maybe being an Extra would be like being on "Extras" if Ricky Gervais was there.
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