Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Extra, Extra!

No this isn't about a newspaper. Even though I do the love the press.... This is about extras in movies! Don't you love those random people in the background? Watching the last few Harry Potters has heightened my appreciation for extras. One man at the Ministry of Magic has an outstanding mustache in Deathly Hallows part one and another man running in the train station of the same movie just sorta makes the scene for me. These average people or wannabe actors add so much to a movie just by being there. I've added being in a movie to my bucket list and then very quickly crossed it off. I of course would like to participate in more productions, but I feel very successful. If only all of life's fun adventures were so easy to accomplish.

Recently I was an extra in a movie called Piper's World. I'm not quite sure what the name of the company is that produced, but I do know that it was a Christian movie with the underlying message of human trafficking. The movie will have several screenings once it is out of editing and then be released on dvd after, hopefully, being shown in a theater. The filming process is almost done and I knew about this opportunity via facebook. A few members of my school's drama department are leads in the movie and the first scene they needed a plethora of extras in was the prom scene. A chance to wear my prom dress again? Heck yes! Emily, Joey, and I drove out to some Christian High School twenty minutes or so away from my house. There was a check in room next to the gym and after writing down our name, number, email, and signing a waver allowing us to be on camera we entered the gym. First of all, what the heck was on the ground? I have no clue.... Some weird blue mat thing. There was a stage in the back corner with a live band playing and three tables set up closer to us on the right that were all fancy for prom. Some equipment here and there with scattered balloons and 3 dozen people dressed up for prom. We met up with some of our friends, chilled in the break room, and then were called back to the gym. Abandon, the band, played one song three times almost and we just sorta jumped around and clapped. I felt like it was more of a stake dance feel than school dances, but it was a Christian movie so we went with it. I literally still have, "Feel it in your heart. Feel it in your heart." stuck in my head. That was the one song they played. Then a scene was filmed with a main character singing a song to his girlfriend from the stage. I witnessed how they play the song and the actor just has to lip sync along and how every scene is shot three times. Well they provided lunch and then we took off before they just let the cameras roll on prom for 30 minutes. We weren't feeling the giant, poofy dresses in 110 degree weather. 


Two days later I was notified the opening would be filmed at Superstition Springs Mall. Elisabeth and I arrived maybe ten minutes early.... and everyone else showed up a half hour later. During our free time we encountered many mall walkers, two Bath & Body Works, and a homeless man. Finally we met with the director, producers, crew, and other extras outside the food court and went in together. Since I already appear in the film once I was placed at a table so I won't be too noticeable (because people that shop at the mall can't go to prom?). I talked to a girl wearing a beanie while the camera walked past us each shot following the cast member through the mall. Elisabeth was positioned with this older boy (yes he was cute and super nice) to walk past the cast member every time she made her way over to the escalator. That was the extent of our experience with Piper's World and I can't wait to see it to try to locate me in the background. Yay for summer adventures!


My mom is going back to work tomorrow after 16 years and I think she's a little freaked out. I'm kind of pumped. I'll miss her being a stay at home... but for the rest of the summer I'm in charge kiddos! Better listen to what I say or I won't drive you around in my red mini van. haha my life....

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