EXTRA LIFE
For Below the Line
In my earlier posts about my film work “below the line”, I have written mostly about being an extra, or “background player” as we’re called. Even though my goal in this business was to be and still is to get more crew work, such as sound, props and art department, I find myself falling back into costumes and makeup in front of the camera.
This last gig on “Brothers” was the most active (less time sitting around) and certainly the c-c-c-oldest for all of us. The sets really looked like Hollywood back lots, with gung-ho Marines, guys with guns and turbans running around, and tons of lights and equipment. But this was back-country New Mexico in the middle of a cold winter. We kept warm by the fires and occasional portable heaters, keeping on our Western parkas until we heard the AD shout “picture’s up” and we’re placed for the next shot. We then take off the extra clothes and leave on the costumed stars like Tobey Maguire have costumers that keep on their parkas until the last possible moment then whisked them away – when that same AD (Assistant Director) shouts “rolling, rolling…!” My last Friday on the set, now way out in the middle of the Zia pueblo, we had an 18 hour day! Even for an extra, that’s a lot of overtime!
– Movie “Taliban” Mike
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