Hollywood in Chicago

Industrial video. That was my first 'extra' job.  It was exactly as boring as it sounds. Truth be told, most extra jobs involve hours of sitting around (they usually advise you to bring a book) and then about 30 minutes of 'walk from here to there.'

And repeat.

And repeat.

And repeat.

The director for this video was new at her job. (That's the excuse I'm making for her. I don't actually know if that's the case.)

We filmed the video in a warehouse-type place that was located next to an intersection of railroad track lines.

Why was this a problem? Well, the warehouse didn't have any soft surfaces that would absorb sound, so if an extra sitting in the far corner of the upper level (off set) so much as whispered, it was picked up by the microphone on set.

CUT!

And if any of the three, count 'em, THREE trains went by, we couldn't record.

CUT!

The building was old, so the heating system made noise. The solution? The director had it turned off!  Did I mention we were filming in DECEMBER in CHICAGO?! None of us could feel our feet when we wrapped for the day.

That was my introduction to being an extra.

Now I'm in a feature film. An actual Hollywood, big-budget, well-known actor-filled production.

When the extras arrived to sign in for the first day, we were greeted with a buffet HOT BREAKFAST complete with waiter who squeezed oranges for our juice!

Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore!