Extra, Extra part Deux ....

After sending additional photos to the Casting Agency for review by the Director, I was selected for my first "big" part. This experience in my first "real" movie almost spoiled me. I was treated very well, I was allowed to park near the set, had a dressing room, ate with the cast and crew (usually the extras eat after cast and crew and /or separate from them as they must hurry and get back to set before we are needed, more on that later.) I met with the director within a few minutes of arriving on location. My "Name" was even on my dressing room door{my character name anyway}. I was taken to and from the set by Golf Cart, I was told I was a "first team" extra. As in any profession the movie people have a language all their own.
It was an exciting experience and put extra money in my pocket. The "bugs" stinger was now deepen embedded , I was hooked, ready for my next gig.
My next call was for an even bigger movie with Major Stars, now I was really on a roll, I was cast the first day of shooting, as, of all things an Iowa farmer. I worked a total of 14 days on this film I met and made many friends, and that, by far has been the best part of the experience. During this shoot I began to learn what it really means to be an "EXTRA", (sometimes referred to as "background talent", just to make us feel better.).
Reality sets in- extremely long days .never less than 12 hours and one even 20 hour day. meals never on time and one day not for 7 hours, scarce water or any beverage, extras holding was a "Circus Tent" much of the time and it does get hot in Louisiana.
Now to the treatment of Extras; in the motion picture production business as in any other business, their is an established hierarchy. At the top, Star Actors (talent) on an equal level, Producers, Director, some times screen writer, - next 1st and 2nd AD'S (Assistant Directors). Followed by and in a "pecking order" which varies from production to production, and can't be figured out. These are the "Gaffers", "Best Boys", "Cinematographers"-(electricians, lighting people, set construction, set designers and painters, wardrobe, make-up and hair, camera operators, set medics. (and "hundreds" of other people who do......?) .
Next comes the PA'S-Production Assistants- Probably the hardest working group out there- the tools of their trade are, Radios- plural, cell phones and Cattle Prods. Their task is to keep up with us extras and shepherd or herd us to and from the set.

TOMORROW IN PART THREE WE WILL DISCUSS MORE ABOUT THE LIFE OF A MOVIE EXTRA OR "PROPS THAT EAT" AS ONE AD DESCRIBED US.