Movie Extra Gets Called Back For An Encore

I can reveal that my encore as an extra feels like coming back from the dead.

Getting return work in the movie world is like going from a foster child to full-fledged adoptee. Suddenly you’ have an earlier call time and people start embracing you as member of the crew. There are smiles all around like you’ve made it into Oz and changing into costume is like going to see the wizard.

Sure, you wait for an hour for your coat of gray makeup. But now you are mingling with the leads of the show and casting knowing glances like you’re in on the big secret. This time you’re ready for the night with your field guide to extra working folding chair, light, book, snack, and glasses. Everyone knows that the great thing about working a show is the cuisine. And it seems all we did this night is eat. First came the lunch at 11 p.m. Down a winding road went the dead like a funeral procession to a wake. Sorry, I got a little carried away because most people went in the hearse; I mean van.

Movie protocol dictates that cast, crew, then extras eat in that order. Probably a left over practice from the Middle Ages where, Lords, Knight, then serfs ate before the battle. But there’s plenty of food and you hear the inevitable sighs about diets and salads for the regulars. But we’re eating like there’s no tomorrow.

Back at the set and we’re up first. We’ve really got a pulse and everyone looks lively as we assemble in our last positions. Hundreds of assistant directors huddle around studying photos of our marks from the previous night. Continuity rules in the film game.

We’re set, we’re directed, and we nail our scene like the legendary extras in Sparticus. You know the film where they put hundreds of extras on crosses. We’re that good and I’ve nicknamed us the Insomniacs! After five takes we’re exhausted and it’s back to our room and soon more food.

It’s like a Chinese Luau after midnight in the hills of Malibu. The Chinese custom is to leave the deceased food on top of their grave. Kids in Hawaii started calling that free food and would regularly sneak in for a snack. After our late supper were told to pack up because it’s a wrap for the Insomniacs!