Diary of a Background Thespian

It's a rough job but somebody has to do it. I've been hired as a PARENT on a movie being shot here in the LA area. It's based on a series of children's books. Our location today is Magic Mountain Six Flags Amusement Park.  In other words, we are going to be having fun all day. In fact, I was told that we will be riding rollercoasters all day.  For some of you, this might be a nightmare of a job but for adrenaline junkies like me, this is pure NIRVANA! I arrive at base camp early wearing amusement park wardrobe; jeans, colorful t-shirt and sneakers. Wardrobe approves us immediately. That was easy. It's early so the PA's tell us to grab some breakfast... BIG MISTAKE! I will elaborate in a few minutes.  After breakfast, we are shuttled into the park. It is  closed to the public. We have it all to ourselves. Our PA told us that we would be riding COLOSSUS, which is the older wooden style coaster, ala THE CYCLONE in  Coney Island but bigger. I'm okay with ...

Hiatus is over. Hallelujah!!! Back to work. Yay!!!! In the biz, the term hiatus, is when all the TV shows go on break in between seasons. Hiatus is generally from mid-May until end of July. I hate hiatus because that means as background, we have to rely on films and because of runaway production in LA, that generally means little to no work. You must be saying to yourself, “Wait a minute, you’re in Hollywood, the capital of the film world.” That might have been true at one time, not anymore. Most films don’t shoot in LA anymore, even if they are supposed to take place in LA, they still don’t shoot here. Why you ask? The obvious, money. It’s too expensive to shoot in LA and while other countries, states and even cities have become wise and have started giving film production tax breaks such as Louisiana, North Carolina, Toronto, Budapest, Prague, New Zealand, etc, our ex-actor Governor (and probably soon to be actor again) has not seen fit to pass similar tax breaks here in the sta...

I've been booked to play CLERICAL staff in the DA's office in an episode of a popular TV show. I've worked this show before but only on location. I've never been to the actual main set. Today, I'll be making the trek out to Manahattan Beach during rush hour for a days work. I arrive at the studios with literally 5 minutes to spare. Manhattan Beach is NOT close to me and of course, today, it was bumper to bumper on the dreaded 405. I hate arriving late or even close to call time. I'm an early bird. I'd prefer to sit and wait than to huff and puff my way down the parking lot carrying a garment bag (wardrobe), tote bag (reading and writing materials, makeup, hairspray, brush, etc) and my fold out chair (my comfort zone). But today is going to be one of those days especially since I've never been to this studio and with my luck the set will be all the way on the other side. I got lucky, I was told by security that the set is right outside the parking ...

It occurred to me that I've never told you about my very first background job. Here I am describing my latest greatest feats of background acting genius and I've never recounted the tale of "my first time." I must warn you, it was a very long time ago and even though I take my daily Ginko Baloba, I may be fuzzy on some of the particulars. However, you never really forget your first time at anything so I think most of my story will be intact. Okay, here goes. Let's go back, way back, back into time... The year; 1998, the location; Wall Street, NYC, call time; late evening. I was booked as a Business Executive on a Japanese commercial for Mister Donut, a chain of donut shops similar to Dunkin Donuts here in the US. I was told this was going to be a large background call, about  50 BGAs. Our wardrobe was upscale business suit with nice pumps (high heels) and briefcase and purse. We were also asked to bring a raincoat. I was so excited and since it was my first t...

One of the privileges of being a Background Actor is that you get to work on sets and in studios where some legendary movies or TV shows were filmed.  I always get goose bumps when I pass the gates at Warner Bros. or Paramount Studios. I mean think about it, some of the greats that walked through those gates; Brando, Gable, Grant, Hepburn, Bogart, the list is endless.  When I was a child growing up in NYC, I used to spend hours watching TV. I'd watch Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Star Trek, M.A.S.H, etc. On Sunday's I was glued to the movies: South Pacific, Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy, Gone with the Wind, Carousel, Casablanca, etc.  Those actors, those stories, those moments were magical for me as a child. Now as an adult, I revel in the moments when I can walk through a set or a stage that once housed a show or a movie that is part of this cinematic history.  I was booked as a PEDESTRIAN on a cable show that shoots at what is today calle...

You are probably wondering, "What's with the picture of a cupcake?"  Well, I'll get to that in a minute. Be patient. First let me tell you about my latest booking. One of the best gigs to get when you work Background is a sitcom. They are fun and work fast, especially a successful sitcom that's been around at least 2 seasons. Generally speaking, you work less than 4 hours and get  paid the full 8 hours.  Today, I'm working a very successful CBS sitcom on the Fox Studio lot. I've been booked as the RECEPTIONIST at a hair salon. I arrive at the Fox Studios early because ever since 9-11, security at the studios have been ramped up so I don't want to be late because my belt keeps going off with the metal detectors...yes, I said metal detectors. It's like the freakin' airport. But you never know. Al Qaeda may get confused and blow up the New York City street back lot at Fox, Warner or Universal. Anyway, I make it through security and head ove...

You would think that I am old enough and experienced enough to know that politics, be it Federal, State, International, Gender or Union, should NEVER be discussed at work. You would think, huh? But I guess I needed a tongue lashing from an over zealous jerk to remind me of that. I will explain later. I was booked on a movie that for right now, has no title. Its being referred to  as "untitled."  The Director is a HUGE legend in comedy. I was over joyed when I found out he was directing. I've loved his movies going back to the early 80's. They are some of the classic comedies, the type that are just not made anymore. Anyway, I was booked as a HOSPITAL VISITOR.  When I arrived at base camp they told me that was going to be an all nighter. Okay, no problem. I'll take the overtime..cha ching! We are quite a few BGAs all working various characters; visitors, orderlies, doctors, nurses, EMTs, etc.  During our wardrobe pass, we find out that we are going to change ...

Today I was rejected because my butt and hair were inadequate. (Bye the way, that's not a picture of my butt, but since I didn't have one handy, I picked one out from the internet. I figured, one butt is as good as any.)  So let me tell you about today. I was booked on an interview to be the photo double of an Oscar winning actress in a movie that is currently shooting. At first I was confused because I don't actually look like this actress but I figured with hair and makeup I'd be okay.  The interview would consist of the director, hair, makeup and wardrobe looking you over and deciding if you could pass for the actress in long shots. I arrived on set and immediately looked for our sign in. Oh where o' where could it be?? Hum...perhaps where all those dark long haired, olive skin women are standing? Yeah, I think that's it. So there are 8 of us. We look like clones of this particular actress, some skinnier, some meatier, some have longer hair. Everyone ...

I've been booked as BANK STAFF on a TV pilot being directed by a HUGE!!!! Hollywood V.I.P. He’s created several enormously popular TV shows and written and directed a mega blockbuster movie. This guy is the real deal so I’m very excited. Our call time was for 10:00pm which means it’s going to be an all-nighter. I arrive at base camp to find several BGAs standing around looking lost. All the trucks and honey wagons are there but we can’t seem to find anyone. The catering truck hasn’t even set up yet. This is very strange. Finally, an out of breathe and frazzled PA comes running over to us to say that the crew call was changed to 11:15pm. Hello?? Why didn’t anyone call the BGAs?????? Let me tell you how a booking works. When you are booked by Central Casting you are sent an email with the name of the show/movie, the name of the casting director that booked you and the call time. You are then given a four digit code. You are supposed to call a specific telephone numbe...

I started doing background work back in NYC many many years ago. I was starting to take acting lessons and wanted, no, yearned to be on a set. I was told by an agent to start with background work. It would give me a sense of what goes on during the making of a movie or TV show. I'd learn some technical things as well as get used to being in front of a camera, even if I'd only be in the background. Bottom line, as an actor, you have to develop listening skills as well as learn about camera angles, eye lines, etc. It's a great beginners classroom, the world of background acting. So I took the advise and I started working background. Since NYC, I've done it off and on here in LA. Lately, (thanks to our magnificent economy and the dried up commercial landscape, GRRRRR!) I've gone back to doing it on a regular basis again. At first I was resistant, almost militant about returning to the background. I had a very successful commercial career as a principal actor for se...

I’d like to start this blog entry today with a clarification.  I’m NOT an EXTRA! WE are not EXTRAS! Please refrain from ever referring to us as such. Thank you. As you can tell, this is a touchy subject with some of us. Don’t get me wrong. I’m fully aware that the term “extra” is often used to describe background talent. In fact, Ricky Gervais produced a very funny and successful HBO series about background talent; the name of the show, EXTRAS .  However, let me take this opportunity to set the record straight. No matter what anyone tells you, we are NOT EXTRAS. The word extra connotes something superfluous, unnecessary really, just there as an addition.  We are not superfluous. We are not extra baggage or extra actors on a set. We are absolutely necessary and in fact, in some cases, we are THE essential ingredient that makes a scene work.  Can you image for example, the movie TITANIC , without the hundreds of background actors floating in the water sc...