I believe many people are interested in what actors earn: I did a quick calculation, and as an extra on "Portlandia" -- ignoring carried over earned interest, debentures, and the P/E ratio -- and assuming I can get a similar role every week, I'll be a millionaire in 300 years.
The appropriate theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BObK59njSg
I saw a brief news article which mentioned that extras were being hired for "Portlandia". I have watched and enjoyed the show a few times, even though we don't have cable -- and I thought I had a good idea of what being an extra would entail -- and I was sort of correct: but it was more boring than I anticipated.
I went online, filled out the form with the requested head shot and a full length shot, and to my surprise was notified within a week that a slot was available if I wanted it. After another three days, the agent told me of the time and place and said I should wear business casual. And paying close attention to that was a mistake, I would have been better off if I had gone for a bit of a scruffy look, and worn my beret -- which I considered but decided against.
The episode I was in will air sometime between January and March -- it is possibly episode number three in the new season -- the particular skit concerns a 90's vegan restaurant (we were requested not to reveal any particulars)
I arrived at the extra assembly point at 1PM but being on time wouldn't have mattered much, as I didn't get called to the actual shooting location until about 6PM (but being on time is always good) First we filled out normal new employee paperwork (SS#, tax stuff) which surprised me as I assumed the extras would be considered contract people, responsible for their own taxes and withholding, and not as regular employees (much easier for the production company). I assume the difference is because of some union contract (as a good union guy, I'm not complaining) After that we were photographed by an assistant using a smart phone, and I'm sure the photos were sent to a woman ten feet away sitting in front of a laptop (probably the extra casting director). After laptop mixing and matching and some modest costume changes (there were 16 extras) we were divided into three groups and again photographed.
The assembly area took up the parking spaces on two sides of the street: four 8X8 canopies (one with the laptop woman) a rented box van, five 3X8 folding tables with chairs, three motor homes (one with a bump out thing), each with a generator, and two port-a-pottys -- for crew only -- except we extras ignored that sign -- the "crew only" bit was the only questionable thing I saw. Some of the extras (me, for one) were sitting there for 5 hours and we weren't supposed to pee?
At two PM we were told we could break for lunch (which was provided) at a nearby pizza place. We had to wait until the regular crew got their food (buffet style) which didn't bother me as they probably had a limited amount of time. The food: good fresh salad stuff, a cashew tofu thing or a cashew chicken thing (both adequate), rice, fish, mixed fruit, and some cookie type things for dessert. It was all right.
Then back to the waiting area with the four canopies (the woman was finished clicking away) and the box van with a bunch of unidentified stuff (sound? lights? scaffolding?) stacked in the box and two people sort of tucked in a corner, typing away doing who knows what. One of the motor homes was for costumes, the other two -- who knows -- the generators kept running, but no one came or went.
Occasionally a pedestrian would walk by, generally ignoring us. Occasionally a pedestrian with a scruffy dog would walk by, also ignoring us except one of the scruffy dogs tried to pee on a chair (the dog was pulled away but still provided the highlight for that hour) --- excitement knew no bounds.
(I expected the waiting, but I thought we would be able to watch the taping -- no such luck. But it did make sense: No one at the active location wanted a bunch of extras yakking in the background, or wandering around tripping over cables.)
The first group was called into action. Those of us left behind (me) felt dismayed and abandoned. Then the next group was called and the final four (me) really felt abandoned, ignored, and denied entry into the light. As a sop, we were told we could access the snack van (it looked much like one of those half size school buses) which was full of all of the snack stuff you would ever find in a 7-11, and more besides (for example: fifteen two quart size jars of candy: mints, taffy, chewy-gooey, chocolate bits etc.) I scored a Blue Bunny neapolitan ice cream sandwich, and a bottle of water, and returned a second time for a can of sparkling water. --- living large ---
Every ten or fifteen minutes a crew member would walk by, wearing a tool belt, ear buds, a small walky-talky radio, perhaps a roll of blue painters tape hanging on a hook. We who were still waiting (me) would look up longingly, a haunted look in our (my) eyes. I considered organizing "Hey, gang! Let's put on a show!" but my lethargy was overwhelming. At last all our (my) hopes were gone, a crew guy walks by and no one looks up. We (I) felt destined to forever be unused: cast into the dust bin of discarded extras -- sitting there -- mocked by two costume racks and the passing crew members.
The actual restaurant!
And then we were called! There were four of us: A couple who were going to be parents of a college kid, the college kid, and me, who was going to be an old guy who dumps his young paramour. Alas, after I was seated in place, chatting with the quite attractive young woman, I was unceremoniously bumped -- moved over to a table where I was just some guy sitting talking with a different young woman. The first young woman was pretty and pleasant, but I could have dumped her standing on my head -- back when I was an actor I played a fair number of rats and cads. Oh well. Later in the scene I and a few other extras wandered back and forth in the background --- ideally, looking like we belonged there and ideally, looking non-goofy.
A few details: When I arrived, two guys were cutting to size and writing cue cards. I didn't see the cards again, but I suppose they were used before my group was called to action.
The café had an appropriate 90's cigarette smokey look -- provided by some kind of smoke generator. I don't know what it was, but it didn't smell.
Carrie Brownstein (also of Sleater-Kinney https://youtube.com/watch?v=itxAqoADuxM) looked great in a plum/purple pencil-skirt suit. (before I was bumped, she came up said: "Hi, how's it goin'?" and offered her hand. I shook it of course and said: "Very well, thank you.")
And lest anyone think I'm objectifying women with my comments about their appearances: Fred Armisen looked dashing in a plaid shirt, wig and soul patch. (Fred Armisen wasn't in my little scene. He was just hanging around in the background, off camera, his work done for the day) -- I think Armisen is still the musical director for "Late Night With Seth Meyers" I have no idea how he does both "Portlandia" and "Late Night".
The taping was done with two cameras, with a third seemingly unused. There was a monitor that showed the action live, and Brownstein used it to direct the parents and college kid as they were being taped. (I assume the sound is adjusted later) The director watches both the live action and the monitor, and with digital cameras, re-takes and small adjustments can be done immediately. For example, those of us wandering around for background color were wandering around too quickly so during another take we were told to wander more slowly. (showbiz!)
I was surprised at how few lights were used -- digital requires less light than film, but they only used a few lights and a few reflectors.
It was hot. It was a hot day and the crew put up fans but it was still hot.
I think I would do it again. Boring though it was, there was enough interest for a repeat or two.
A POEM FOR TODAY:
For acting
we are here,
and it is true.
We have so many
roles to play
that are at times
unimaginable.
And yet we are
playing and
we are acting
to our best capacity.
We are the actor
We are the player
For a short time here.
Gajanan Mishra
BOOKS: Paper (Mark Kurlansky) ---This is the fourth book by Kurlansky I've read. (I've also read: Salt, A World History; Cod - A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World; Birdseye: The Adventures Of A Curious Man) I've enjoyed them all, but Paper was my least favorite. It's a history of paper and printing and how they changed the world, and were changed by the world. There wasn't a lot was new to me, and that's probably why it's my least favorite of the four.
A couple of tidbits: About 1490 Aldus Manutius starting printing and opened a book shop in Venice (among other things, he developed the italic type style as well as the modern semicolon and comma) A sign on the front of his shop read: "State your business briefly, and then immediately go away." --- Impractical, but I bet most shop keepers would sympathize.
And: In 1477 William Claxton printed the first book printed in England. It was a book of sayings of philosophers that Anthony Woodville had translated from French -- Translated while he was walking the Camino de Santiago. When dw and I walked the Camino we just enjoyed the scenery and bitched about our feet.
In Montramartre -- Picasso, Matisse and the Birth of Modernist Art (Sue Roe) Another interesting book about the artists, agents, collectors, and hangers-on, and how they interacted. Any young person who wants to be an artist should read this book. All those guys (and a few women) really worked at their art. There are few revelations but the book is well done and well organized. Roe does a very good job of balancing the stories of the different artists and their problems.
A WORD: Acnestis -- the part of the back which an animal cannot reach to scratch. In Denali National Park, some signs are heavily studded with nails -- the point sticking out. The Rangers did that because the grizzlies kept ruining the signs by leaning on them to scratch their backs. It wouldn't be natural, of course, but would it have killed the Park Service to put in a few heavy steel posts for the bears to use. I'll bet not a single bear has a "made in China" bamboo back scratcher.
And so it goes. DJA
The appropriate theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BObK59njSg
I saw a brief news article which mentioned that extras were being hired for "Portlandia". I have watched and enjoyed the show a few times, even though we don't have cable -- and I thought I had a good idea of what being an extra would entail -- and I was sort of correct: but it was more boring than I anticipated.
I went online, filled out the form with the requested head shot and a full length shot, and to my surprise was notified within a week that a slot was available if I wanted it. After another three days, the agent told me of the time and place and said I should wear business casual. And paying close attention to that was a mistake, I would have been better off if I had gone for a bit of a scruffy look, and worn my beret -- which I considered but decided against.
The episode I was in will air sometime between January and March -- it is possibly episode number three in the new season -- the particular skit concerns a 90's vegan restaurant (we were requested not to reveal any particulars)
Then back to the waiting area with the four canopies (the woman was finished clicking away) and the box van with a bunch of unidentified stuff (sound? lights? scaffolding?) stacked in the box and two people sort of tucked in a corner, typing away doing who knows what. One of the motor homes was for costumes, the other two -- who knows -- the generators kept running, but no one came or went.
Occasionally a pedestrian would walk by, generally ignoring us. Occasionally a pedestrian with a scruffy dog would walk by, also ignoring us except one of the scruffy dogs tried to pee on a chair (the dog was pulled away but still provided the highlight for that hour) --- excitement knew no bounds.
(I expected the waiting, but I thought we would be able to watch the taping -- no such luck. But it did make sense: No one at the active location wanted a bunch of extras yakking in the background, or wandering around tripping over cables.)
The first group was called into action. Those of us left behind (me) felt dismayed and abandoned. Then the next group was called and the final four (me) really felt abandoned, ignored, and denied entry into the light. As a sop, we were told we could access the snack van (it looked much like one of those half size school buses) which was full of all of the snack stuff you would ever find in a 7-11, and more besides (for example: fifteen two quart size jars of candy: mints, taffy, chewy-gooey, chocolate bits etc.) I scored a Blue Bunny neapolitan ice cream sandwich, and a bottle of water, and returned a second time for a can of sparkling water. --- living large --- Every ten or fifteen minutes a crew member would walk by, wearing a tool belt, ear buds, a small walky-talky radio, perhaps a roll of blue painters tape hanging on a hook. We who were still waiting (me) would look up longingly, a haunted look in our (my) eyes. I considered organizing "Hey, gang! Let's put on a show!" but my lethargy was overwhelming. At last all our (my) hopes were gone, a crew guy walks by and no one looks up. We (I) felt destined to forever be unused: cast into the dust bin of discarded extras -- sitting there -- mocked by two costume racks and the passing crew members.
The actual restaurant!A few details: When I arrived, two guys were cutting to size and writing cue cards. I didn't see the cards again, but I suppose they were used before my group was called to action.
The café had an appropriate 90's cigarette smokey look -- provided by some kind of smoke generator. I don't know what it was, but it didn't smell.
Carrie Brownstein (also of Sleater-Kinney https://youtube.com/watch?v=itxAqoADuxM) looked great in a plum/purple pencil-skirt suit. (before I was bumped, she came up said: "Hi, how's it goin'?" and offered her hand. I shook it of course and said: "Very well, thank you.")
And lest anyone think I'm objectifying women with my comments about their appearances: Fred Armisen looked dashing in a plaid shirt, wig and soul patch. (Fred Armisen wasn't in my little scene. He was just hanging around in the background, off camera, his work done for the day) -- I think Armisen is still the musical director for "Late Night With Seth Meyers" I have no idea how he does both "Portlandia" and "Late Night".
The taping was done with two cameras, with a third seemingly unused. There was a monitor that showed the action live, and Brownstein used it to direct the parents and college kid as they were being taped. (I assume the sound is adjusted later) The director watches both the live action and the monitor, and with digital cameras, re-takes and small adjustments can be done immediately. For example, those of us wandering around for background color were wandering around too quickly so during another take we were told to wander more slowly. (showbiz!)
I was surprised at how few lights were used -- digital requires less light than film, but they only used a few lights and a few reflectors.
It was hot. It was a hot day and the crew put up fans but it was still hot.
I think I would do it again. Boring though it was, there was enough interest for a repeat or two.
A POEM FOR TODAY:
For acting
we are here,
and it is true.
We have so many
roles to play
that are at times
unimaginable.
And yet we are
playing and
we are acting
to our best capacity.
We are the actor
We are the player
For a short time here.
Gajanan Mishra
BOOKS: Paper (Mark Kurlansky) ---This is the fourth book by Kurlansky I've read. (I've also read: Salt, A World History; Cod - A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World; Birdseye: The Adventures Of A Curious Man) I've enjoyed them all, but Paper was my least favorite. It's a history of paper and printing and how they changed the world, and were changed by the world. There wasn't a lot was new to me, and that's probably why it's my least favorite of the four.
A couple of tidbits: About 1490 Aldus Manutius starting printing and opened a book shop in Venice (among other things, he developed the italic type style as well as the modern semicolon and comma) A sign on the front of his shop read: "State your business briefly, and then immediately go away." --- Impractical, but I bet most shop keepers would sympathize.
And: In 1477 William Claxton printed the first book printed in England. It was a book of sayings of philosophers that Anthony Woodville had translated from French -- Translated while he was walking the Camino de Santiago. When dw and I walked the Camino we just enjoyed the scenery and bitched about our feet.
In Montramartre -- Picasso, Matisse and the Birth of Modernist Art (Sue Roe) Another interesting book about the artists, agents, collectors, and hangers-on, and how they interacted. Any young person who wants to be an artist should read this book. All those guys (and a few women) really worked at their art. There are few revelations but the book is well done and well organized. Roe does a very good job of balancing the stories of the different artists and their problems.
A WORD: Acnestis -- the part of the back which an animal cannot reach to scratch. In Denali National Park, some signs are heavily studded with nails -- the point sticking out. The Rangers did that because the grizzlies kept ruining the signs by leaning on them to scratch their backs. It wouldn't be natural, of course, but would it have killed the Park Service to put in a few heavy steel posts for the bears to use. I'll bet not a single bear has a "made in China" bamboo back scratcher.
And so it goes. DJA
