Extra, Extra, Hurry up and Wait

I just spent the better part of the weekend being an extra on three different productions.  It was great fun to finally get to spend a bunch of time on set.  I definitely feel that I am on the right path.  Yes, there was a whole lot of the “hurry up and wait” that everyone talks about.  And it’s eye opening to be on set and realize just how many times one scene must be run through to get the necessary footage (I’m looking forward to seeing/experiencing 3 camera set ups where most of the footage is captured at once, rather than through multiple setups for a different perspective/experience).  But being there just made me want to be there more.

It was neat to get to sit around and chat with other extras, as well as anyone else who wasn’t busy at the moment.  It was dangerous to have all that junk food laying around on the craft services table.  So easy to eat all day.  By the end of day three I was tired because I was juggling other activities and the days were long and often early.  Still, I had fun and can’t wait to do it again.  More, more, more!  I don’t care how much hurry up and wait is involved.  I am also officially lusting after an iPad as my preferred accessory for entertaining myself while waiting and documenting as much of the experience as I can.

I did tweet a bit from the sets.  I will definitely be doing more of that in the future.  And I took some photos on one of the sets.  I want to do more of that as well.  I definitely recommend doing some extra work to get a feel for what it’s like to be on set if you have the opportunity.

Tonight I am off to a talk/presentation being given at SAG by Robert & Michelle Colt, and Susan Watkins, along with another guest I have conveniently forgotten and am too lazy to go look up right now.  I expect it will be quite fun.  And tomorrow I am going to get up bright and early to go to Central Casting to get myself on their roles for extra work.  I want to become SAG eligible ASAP so that the AFI student director who liked me can hire me as a lead, and not just for extra work.  And come Friday, I will finally be back in class!  After all the craziness of the past month, it’s definitely time to be back in acting class.