Movie making magic #2

Day 2 came and I was glued to my bed. Not literally. The lovely Jules hadn’t carried out her threat. I was just plain exhausted from 14 hours of doing bugger all the previous day. And I still had leg cramps from supporting Joe’s Greyhound Feeds. But I made it back to the stadium on time and with the requested two changes of clothes.Less than half of the extras showed up. The long hours and paltry pay no doubt. The assistant casting director was getting bollicked by her boss while at the same time frantically phoning the no-shows and pleading with them to do just one more day. Only one seemed happy - a veteran of Veronica G and other movies, he explained we’d get bigger servings for lunch. The other Veronica Vets were less than happy - the chances of your face being caught on camera today were high, which meant you wouldn’t get called back. Once used, you’re out.

Notice I said camera, not cameras? There was just one. I always thought there would be lots scattered around at various locations. But no, just one, and each scene was re-enacted over and over with the camera at different angles.

This morning was to be busier for us extras and I got to observe many of the tricks. Footage of a densely packed stand was needed. We stood in the top right corner. An AD ran past the winning post and some of us cheered while others who had backed the wrong dog scowled. Then we shifted three positions and swapped hats, coats, glasses etc. with our neighbours and repeated the scene. We did this until the AD was exhausted and we had covered the whole stand. The computer would later mash all the shots together to show a stadium jam-packed with animated racegoers.

At lunch we all sat down together. Cast, crew and extras. This was to be the norm. We had just been shy the previous day. Among movie extras there are always aspiring actors, directors etc. Sean McGinley seemed happy to offer advice and coaching to one of the school kids. The director advised another on which were the best courses to take. In fact everyone of the real team were more than willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Phone numbers for agents and advertising companies were passed around. There is more money to be had as an extra in TV ads than in movies or TV series. Make sure you negotiate for residuals if possible. Stay away from such-and-such agency - they take too big a percentage of your fee. Try get on such-and-such’s books - they always have work on.

Only in the worlds of open-source software and bookie shops have I seen the same willingness to part with information.

The day dragged on with more sitting around. It was raining on and off and even when it wasn’t the clouds were blocking the light. Reflective hoods like massive silver umbrellas usually do the trick but today the light was changing too quickly.

It was evening before the skies settled and we were on again. This time the camera would be pushed at speed the length of the kennelling yard, through a milling crowd, coming to rest on an actor’s face. The problem was the milling crowd. There weren’t enough extras for a blender never mind a mill. We all had to double up. For me that meant walking slowly across the path of the camera (without looking at it - never ever look at the camera!); pulling off my jacket once out of shot; running down the side to the far end; putting on a hat and glasses; and walking slowly across the shot reading a newspaper. The first of 10 takes, I got clipped on the shin by the camera trolley. Jayzez, that hurt. 20kg of trolley, 90kg of well fed cameraman, 40kg of camera, being pushed by 4 strong men. The lovely Jules rushed over. With a broom. And began smoothing over the gravel I’d scuffed when I fell. The director decided I would have to start moving before the AD shouted action. That was so cool. He’d say: Ready everyone. Mr. Sneeze. Aaaannnd, action!

I went home exhausted and sore again. You’d be sore too if you fell and no-one fussed over you!