Diary of a Background Thespian

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...