Extra, A Day in the Life

by William E. Shek

The following is a typical day of extra work. This was for a TV episode of "Nash Bridges", but is pretty standard for all extra work. The only difference between a TV production and a feature film is the amount of "sitting around" you do. TV shows/films generally get shot much quicker than feature films, due to smaller budgets and time constraints.

Wednesday afternoon around 3 pm: My pager goes off. I recognize the number as a Casting Agency I have worked with extensively. I call the agency and get an assistant casting director that I know. She asks if I would be available for some extra work on Nash Bridges tomorrow. She needs me to play a uniformed police officer again. Of course, I say, "Of course!" Since this is a SAG position, she asks if I am current on my SAG dues and asks for my Social Security #. She doesn't yet know the "call time" for the next morning (she won't get that info until later in the evening from the production company), but asks me to call a special hotline number around 10 pm for specific times and directions to the set.

Wed. evening, 10 pm: I call the number. A recorded message from the casting director with information about the following day tells me the time (Call Time) that I have to report in the next morning and directions where to go. Different groups of extras are given different call times, according to when the scenes they are in will be shot. Wardrobe instructions are also given -- most times the extra has to bring 2 or 3 different changes of clothing with him/her, which the wardrobe person on set will look at and choose for the extra to wear. Since I am to be a Police Officer, I don't have to bring anything, as I will be given a uniform from wardrobe to wear. My call-time is 6 am the following morning.

Thurs. morning, 4:30 am: The alarm goes off (yawn!). I like to give myself at least 1 to 1-1/2 hours to drive to the set - better to be early (you NEVER want to be late). Since "Nash Bridges" is shot in different San Francisco locations, and I live some miles away, I need that time to get there and find the area I'm to park in. The drive is uneventful, thankfully, and I arrive at the parking area with 30 minutes to spare. Now I look for the van that will transport me, along with other crew members and other extras, to what is known as "Base Camp".

5:45 pm: We arrive at Base Camp. Base Camp is the location where all the trailers, trucks, wardrobe truck, and equipment is located. It may or may not be where the actual shooting location is. I find the person who is checking in the Extras. It may be a person from the Casting Agency, or it may be a Production Assistant assigned to supervise the extras for the day. Today it's a PA that I know. He checks my name off and gives me a pay "voucher", which I have to fill out and give back to him to sign at the end of the day. He says it will be a while before I'm needed, so I can go get breakfast. The food on a set is usually great! I find the Catering Truck, and order breakfast (usually whatever I want). I see a lot of familiar faces and start socializing (the best thing to do while waiting around). The PA shows up and tells us (myself and 3 other "cops") that we need to report to wardrobe. We find the wardrobe truck and get fitted for Police uniforms and gunbelts. No weapons are issued (fake ones) until we are actually on the set. Duct tape is put over the shoulder patches on the shirts and jackets, as they don't want passersby to think we are real cops. The tape will be removed before the actual scenes are shot. The extras are shown to a "holding area", where we wait until we're needed. It is usually a room or area where the PA can keep everyone together. After a scene we come back. It will be our "home" for the day. Bringing a good book to read is highly recommended. There are coffee, soft drinks, water, and snacks there. You tend to eat a lot on a movie set (hey, it's all free--can't let any go to waste!).

Extra, A Day in the Life

by William E. Shek

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