Have you ever been an extra in a movie?

Valentine · 07-28-2011, 04:26 PM

If you have I'd love to hear about it, since I've just been chosen to be an extra in filming for World War Z!

It's being filmed in my home town of Glasgow during August and I will be on set for up to eight days. I'm super psyched for this. Big budget filming near me is exciting enough, but to be able to be on set for some of it? Wow.

Any stories or advice would be much appreciated and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

***Marilink*** · 07-28-2011, 04:49 PM

I never have, but I'd love to hear about your experience! Get Brad Pitt's autograph!

Bomby · 07-28-2011, 05:10 PM

If I was an extra in my own student film, does it count?

**Valigarmander** · 07-28-2011, 05:21 PM

I signed up for one last summer but they never got back to me.

Let us know how your thing goes.

Random User · 07-28-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Välïgärmändër

I signed up for one last summer but they never got back to me.

Same thing happened to me when I applied to be a zombie in that AMC series... I think it was called The Walking Dead or something. Any ways, congrats! I hope you have fun playing as an extra. Sounds awesome.

The best extra has to be Zombie Snack #4.

Rainbow Dash · 07-28-2011, 08:07 PM

does jury duty count

Redshirt · 07-28-2011, 08:41 PM

Does doing a voice for a character in a stop-motion lego video count?

***CaptHayfever*** · 07-28-2011, 08:57 PM

^No. If you had lines, then you weren't really an extra.

I was a Stranded Airline Passenger in The Lucky Ones (2007). Got to hang out in a closed-down wing of the airport for 12 hours, had an awesome free dinner halfway through that, & except for the two motion shots I had, got to sit around talking to cool people & reading. This was also the only time so far that I've been paid to act; however, I also don't appear in the finished cut of the movie (all of my shots were used, but either I'm obstructed or the shot ends before I would enter view).

I was a Studio Audience Member in Ridiculous for You (2010), a movie by a friend of mine about a guy trying to make a tape for an AFV-style TV show. Got to hang out in a darkened auditorium for about an hour & applaud hammily with a bunch of my theatre friends.

I was Bar Patron in Ultra Guys (2011), a TV pilot shot this past winter. Got to check out a pretty cool bar for 6 hours, had free pizza after hour 4, & except for the two motion shots I had, got to sit around talking to cool people (between shots) & faking like I was talking to cool people (during shots). Then got to go back to the bar a few nights later for candid crowd coverage, where I played some trivia with friends who tagged along. Didn't get paid for either of those shoots, but the casting agent promised that if the show gets picked up, the Day 1 extras will be the first called for regular jobs.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

SephirothKirby · 07-28-2011, 10:16 PM

No, but my uncle has done a pretty decent job.

Damon Carney - IMDb

Jere · 07-29-2011, 03:05 AM

I was supposed to show up for a zombie film that was filmed in the begining of july but as i was in the US it was a bit hard to show up.

My grandfather though have done some work, 2 jobs as an acrobat in Pippi longstocking at the circus and the white stone (kind of cult series) and as a police in one of the early movies about commissar Beck

Valentine · 07-29-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subrosian Smithy

Get Brad Pitt's autograph!

Pretty much all I've heard since I told people. I'd love to get it or even better, a photo with him, but that's pretty unlikely.

Filming starts on the 17th so I'll keep you guys informed if you like. I don't expect to be allowed to take any pictures anywhere but if I can get some, I'll drop them in too.

***CaptHayfever*** · 07-29-2011, 02:38 PM

At one point on The Lucky Ones, I was about 10 feet away from Rachel McAdams. We were specifically instructed ahead of time that we could not initiate conversations with the stars (but if they talked to us first, it was fine), & she was already talking to somebody else, so nothing really grew out of that.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

***Marilink*** · 07-29-2011, 03:00 PM

haha, well I was pretty much kidding. I didn't even know this movie existed until I IMDB'd it. :P

***Booyakasha*** · 07-29-2011, 03:07 PM

Wow, so the project's actually getting off the ground, then? It's been in development hell long enough---kinda surprised it's finally coming together, to be honest.

CuccoLady · 07-30-2011, 02:42 AM

That sounds awesome :{D

I've never been in anything like this, but my aunt was in Jaws.

Speed · 07-30-2011, 02:58 AM

Wait...

They're making a World War Z Movie?

Valentine · 07-30-2011, 03:14 AM

Yep, principal photography kicked off this month according to Wiki. There will be about 2000 of us extras so I expect what Capt said will be shouted at us through a loudspeaker.

The streets here will be turned into a 'war torn Philadelphia' and the streets in question are right at the heart of the city, so it'll be chaos.

SK, your uncle ever told you stories about being on set? Have you thought about having a go yourself?

***Cosmonautical*** · 07-30-2011, 04:21 AM

That's really awesome, man, congrats. Hope you have a lot of fun doing it!

Vapor · 08-05-2011, 03:19 PM

That's mildly impressive! great!

Coincidentally, I just finished reading World War Z. Pretty good book, I'd say.

SephirothKirby · 08-05-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valentine

SK, your uncle ever told you stories about being on set? Have you thought about having a go yourself?

A few. Mostly that it's always something he's pursued but he never got a big break. That makes me scared to want to do anything with acting. So yes, I have thought about it, but no, I will not be actively pursuing it.

07-28-2011, 04:26 PM	#1
Valentine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Suppin' Earl Grey Gender: Posts: 7,308 Thanks: 74 Thanked 149 Times in 103 Posts Blog Entries: 3	Have you ever been an extra in a movie? If you have I'd love to hear about it, since I've just been chosen to be an extra in filming for World War Z! It's being filmed in my home town of Glasgow during August and I will be on set for up to eight days. I'm super psyched for this. Big budget filming near me is exciting enough, but to be able to be on set for some of it? Wow. Any stories or advice would be much appreciated and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

07-28-2011, 04:49 PM	#2
*Marilink* Gotta catch 'em all! Supermod! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location, Location. Gender: Posts: 29,118 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 1,822 Times in 1,007 Posts	I never have, but I'd love to hear about your experience! Get Brad Pitt's autograph!

07-28-2011, 05:10 PM	#3
Bomby You just freaking blew Joe Biden's mind! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: WHAT?house Gender: Posts: 19,491 Thanks: 513 Thanked 1,449 Times in 849 Posts Blog Entries: 5	If I was an extra in my own student film, does it count?

07-28-2011, 05:21 PM	#4
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	I signed up for one last summer but they never got back to me. Let us know how your thing goes.

07-28-2011, 08:07 PM	#6
Rainbow Dash been dreamin', i've been waitin' Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: a bomb-ass cloud house bachelorette pad Gender: Posts: 24,401 Thanks: 173 Thanked 1,179 Times in 716 Posts	does jury duty count

07-28-2011, 08:41 PM	#7
Redshirt Wiggidy Wack Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: A place with things Gender: Posts: 16,699 Thanks: 703 Thanked 1,006 Times in 695 Posts Blog Entries: 50	Does doing a voice for a character in a stop-motion lego video count?

07-28-2011, 08:57 PM	#8
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,659 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	^No. If you had lines, then you weren't really an extra. I was a Stranded Airline Passenger in The Lucky Ones (2007). Got to hang out in a closed-down wing of the airport for 12 hours, had an awesome free dinner halfway through that, & except for the two motion shots I had, got to sit around talking to cool people & reading. This was also the only time so far that I've been paid to act; however, I also don't appear in the finished cut of the movie (all of my shots were used, but either I'm obstructed or the shot ends before I would enter view). I was a Studio Audience Member in Ridiculous for You (2010), a movie by a friend of mine about a guy trying to make a tape for an AFV-style TV show. Got to hang out in a darkened auditorium for about an hour & applaud hammily with a bunch of my theatre friends. I was Bar Patron in Ultra Guys (2011), a TV pilot shot this past winter. Got to check out a pretty cool bar for 6 hours, had free pizza after hour 4, & except for the two motion shots I had, got to sit around talking to cool people (between shots) & faking like I was talking to cool people (during shots). Then got to go back to the bar a few nights later for candid crowd coverage, where I played some trivia with friends who tagged along. Didn't get paid for either of those shoots, but the casting agent promised that if the show gets picked up, the Day 1 extras will be the first called for regular jobs. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

07-28-2011, 10:16 PM	#9
SephirothKirby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Those who criticize our generation forget who raised it. Gender: Posts: 7,213 Thanks: 373 Thanked 760 Times in 447 Posts	No, but my uncle has done a pretty decent job. Damon Carney - IMDb

07-29-2011, 03:05 AM	#10
Jere Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sutme Gender: Posts: 3,648 Thanks: 404 Thanked 331 Times in 256 Posts Blog Entries: 3	I was supposed to show up for a zombie film that was filmed in the begining of july but as i was in the US it was a bit hard to show up. My grandfather though have done some work, 2 jobs as an acrobat in Pippi longstocking at the circus and the white stone (kind of cult series) and as a police in one of the early movies about commissar Beck

07-29-2011, 02:38 PM	#12
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,659 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	At one point on The Lucky Ones, I was about 10 feet away from Rachel McAdams. We were specifically instructed ahead of time that we could not initiate conversations with the stars (but if they talked to us first, it was fine), & she was already talking to somebody else, so nothing really grew out of that. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

07-29-2011, 03:00 PM	#13
*Marilink* Gotta catch 'em all! Supermod! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location, Location. Gender: Posts: 29,118 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 1,822 Times in 1,007 Posts	haha, well I was pretty much kidding. I didn't even know this movie existed until I IMDB'd it. :P

07-29-2011, 03:07 PM	#14
*Booyakasha* SuperMod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 9,945 Thanks: 157 Thanked 1,481 Times in 763 Posts	Wow, so the project's actually getting off the ground, then? It's been in development hell long enough---kinda surprised it's finally coming together, to be honest.

07-30-2011, 02:42 AM	#15
CuccoLady Anime and Cartoons Mod Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: THIS LOCATION REMINDS ME OF A PUZZLE, LUKE Gender: Posts: 9,077 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 1,222 Times in 822 Posts	That sounds awesome :{D I've never been in anything like this, but my aunt was in Jaws.

07-30-2011, 02:58 AM	#16
Speed Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: If there's a bright center to the universe I'm on the planet it's farthest from Gender: Posts: 3,747 Thanks: 1,598 Thanked 320 Times in 224 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Wait... They're making a World War Z Movie?

07-30-2011, 03:14 AM	#17
Valentine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Suppin' Earl Grey Gender: Posts: 7,308 Thanks: 74 Thanked 149 Times in 103 Posts Blog Entries: 3	Yep, principal photography kicked off this month according to Wiki. There will be about 2000 of us extras so I expect what Capt said will be shouted at us through a loudspeaker. The streets here will be turned into a 'war torn Philadelphia' and the streets in question are right at the heart of the city, so it'll be chaos. SK, your uncle ever told you stories about being on set? Have you thought about having a go yourself?

07-30-2011, 04:21 AM	#18
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	That's really awesome, man, congrats. Hope you have a lot of fun doing it!

08-05-2011, 03:19 PM	#19
Vapor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: WHERE IT'S AT Gender: Posts: 5,211 Thanks: 314 Thanked 413 Times in 249 Posts	That's mildly impressive! great! Coincidentally, I just finished reading World War Z. Pretty good book, I'd say.