Extras in Films, TV and Commercials
A lesson in patience
They are 'background performers' more popularly called extras. To be an 'extra' requires loads of patience. Often, they have to wait for long hours before the second or third line director calls for a shooting time. Rolling... Ready. Action.
The waiting is maybe 90 to 95 percent of the time. There's a lot of standing up or sitting down talking to fellow extras also waiting for a cue. Otherwise, once called to act, extras do their best and listen to what they're instructed to do carefully.
Extras are often considered a low job to do. With the minimum wage pay per hour, they are exposed to all the natural elements. Calls can start in the early hours of the morning until midnight. They just have to be prepared. Depending on the director's wishes, takes (re-takes) can be few to lots. As an extra one has to be really observant about timing and continuity of the shoot.
One good thing is, extras learn to bond together and form friendships with the others. The group is extremely diverse in age, vocations or careers. Ages can start from a child of 3 or 4 to the elderly. There's a cross-section of society. Some extras are retirees out to enjoy life, the unemployed, the students wanting extra monies when out of the classrooms, and about anyone of differing lifestyles - young and old - regardless of reason to be.
Extras in films are often well taken-care of with great food and they get to meet popular film stars, occasionally. Well, things may have improved in recent years, but you get the idea. Whichever way they are placed, extras play an important part in films or television, and commercials too.
Come to think of it, a writer needs a load of patience and perseverance, especially when the muse isn't in the mood to write...
Proiginally published Sept 25, 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment