When I was a kid we used to play dress up and my sisters and I would choreograph skits to songs like "Stop In The Name of Love" or "These Boots were made for Walking". As I grew a little older I watched the Carol Burnett Show and thought to myself, "That's what I want to do when I get older!" I wanted to become a comedic actress and make people laugh. Then, I went through adolescence and, suddenly life wasn't so funny any more. In fact, EVERYTHING was DRAMA!
I started playing bass in rock bands soon thereafter and then it was ALL ABOUT BEING COOL.
When I moved to L.A. in 1986 my goal was to get that elusive record deal. And, as I was working toward that goal I began working in the film industry as a a scenic artist. Ten years somehow FLEW by and I realized that i couldn't keep putting myself in harm's way with toxic paint fumes mixed with toxic long work hours, so one of my friends (Todd) suggested I try background acting.
At first I sort of cringed at the idea of being an 'extra', but then I remembered my childhood dream of being a comedic actress and I thought, it might be fun to play 'dress up' again.
So I signed up with Central Casting (THE place to go if you want to get into 'extra' work) and I began working on shows like "Friends", "West Wing", "X Files" and more recently "Desperate Housewives". I've also had the privilege of working with amazing actors like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt on "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (I was on the set while sparks were just starting to fly between those two!) and amazing directors like Clint Eastwood and Steven Speilberg.
Last week I was once again on the set of "Desperate Housewives". They are one of a handful of TV shows that utilize forty something year old women background actors such as myself. Many of the shows cater to a younger crowd and are looking for what is called "eighteen to look younger types".
It was a fun day, but a LONG day which began at 5:45 a.m. when my alarm went off. I quickly got dressed, gathered my alternate wardrobe choices and headed down to North Hollywood. My call time was 7:00 a.m. and I arrived just a few minutes late, which is a miracle considering what the traffic is like in L.A. on any given day. I was booked with my car. This means that I would be handing over the keys and allowing them to place my car in the scene where needed. (Sometimes you're asked to drive too, but not this time.) My car was placed in the parking lot of what would be the elementary school where Susan (Teri Hatcher) works. For the first three hours I sat in the holding area as they shot some exterior scenes in the parking lot, where my car did the work for me.
At about 10:00 a.m. we (about 100 background actors) were asked in to the auditorium where the next scene would take place.
Here's the set up for the scene: There is a parent meeting going on at the school. Snacks are being served and among them are some chocolate chip cookies that Susan made. But, for some reason she's put poison in the cookies, so she is frantically trying to get people to put down their cookies. "Don't eat the cookies, they're poison", she screams through the microphone on the stage. Several of us in the crowd have one of her cookies in hand and ready to eat, so it's a close call. By the way, i don't know why she poisoned the cookies. You'll just have to watch the episode which will probably air some time in May.
We broke for lunch at about 1:00. If you've ever had lunch on an "A" list TV show or movie, you'll notice it's a lot like eating at a 4 star restaurant, but with way more choices. For instance, my main course comprised of Marsala Chicken, White Fish, garlic mashed potatoes, cauliflower, green beans, Caesar salad and pasta salad. For dessert I had chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream. Then it was back to the set.
When shooting almost any scene where there is dialogue every POV (point of view) is covered. The scene is shot from a distance, close up, from the main character's POV, from the POV of several others in the room. It can take HOURS and patience is needed. Nearly each time I've worked on the show, I've had the privilege of working while Larry Shaw is directing. He is truly amazing - a class act. He never loses his cool and he's kind to all of the actors - even the background actors who are some times treated like second class citizens.
Twelve hours later, we're told that the scene looked great and it was 'a wrap'- but not for everyone! There was yet another scene to film. I truly don't know how the cast and crew do it, day after day, working twelve to fourteen hours a day. I've worked on hundreds of productions over the years, but usually a day here and a day there. It's a whole other thing to work day after day at that speed. This kind of work is not for the weak. It's like running a marathon!
I was exhausted by the time I got home and pretty much collapsed immediately into bed!
It takes about four or five days for the check to come in the mail when you do background work. It's never a fortune, but this time I made about $150.00. Not bad for a day's work on the set of "Desperate Housewives"! (If you can call it work!)
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