Ever been a film or TV extra?
We were treated like a load of cattle, shoved on a bus and left there for hours. Then we did a couple of hours in a nightclub scene and after we'd finished filming, we were told that only the regular cast and crew would be getting fed. If you were "support" you would be turned away from the canteen. Some of us had travelled bloody miles to get there! Who said feudalism was dead? It just brings out thre fact that we live in a hierarchical society with people on different levels receiving different treatment.
Grrrrr...
Ever seen the sitcom EXTRAS, created by Simon Merchant and Ricky Grvais (the office aluminis), currently airing in the UK on BBC2 at the moment...
i guess they expect that the excitement and honour of being a film/tv extra is enough to fuel you throughout the day?
Well, that may work the first few times. But they also seem to think that they can treat people how ever they wish, because they can always get someone else. Well, it's true, they can. Complain, and you're out on your arse.
They should have at least ordered pizza for you all or something. However, in some ways I understand, because film budgets are always very tight as they are.
I do suppose the polite thing for them to do was to explicitly say, in the casting call for extras, that you wouldn't be fed. That way you at least could've packed your own lunch.
In the long run, you should be pleased that you got something. Some people get absolutely nothing. I do see your point that not getting fed does take the Charlie.
At the end of the day, you just need to take it on the chin because I know I would starve if it meant me getting a part in a production. Sacrifices need to be made. I feel for you though. It's no fun having work to do and not having anything to eat.
I was cast as a "featured extra" a few years ago for an independent film called "Right Of the Meridian". The production company (Coppermine Films) was from Boston, and they were filming a scene inside a theatre. My part was to watch an empty stage (pretending it was a fascinating play) then turn around immediately after hearing a gunshot and gasp at the sight of a man collapsing in the aisle right next to me. It took a lot of takes, and during break I got to mingle with the regular cast and eat the free lunch they provided us (sandwiches, chips, and soda pop- not fancy, but nice). I even talked to directed Sean Bradley who informed me that he picked me as an extra because "I was so average-looking". Well, whatever gets you work, right?
P.S. I do think the polite thing to do is to feed the extras, they work hard too!
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At the end of the day, you just need to take it on the chin because I know I would starve if it meant me getting a part in a production. Sacrifices need to be made. I feel for you though. It's no fun having work to do and not having anything to eat.
I think sometimes the thought of a little bit of "stardom" can fuel you, and I know what you mean - for my firts production I got up at 3:00 in the morning and travelled over 100 miles. I've now done it a lot, and have become used to rough treatment. However, not getting fed was just taking the "second class citizen" status that little bit too far! Must admit, I've been lucky to get a few nice walk-ons so, with the exception of the above, is indeed worth taking things on the chin.
