Look! I'm on TV!!!

Last year, I heard about a local casting company that was looking for extras for an Ashton Kutcher movie filming in Atlanta. On a whim, I submitted a photo and filled out an application. Ever since, I have gotten regular email requests from the company to work on various projects filming in the area - primarily, a show called the "Vampire Diaries" which films here in Atlanta. I've never been able to do it before because you find out the time and date of filming relatively late and if you don't sign up right away, the spots are usually filled. Since I'm on spring break this week, though, my schedule is open and I've been looking for ways to make a little extra cash. Hence, my first (and probably last) foray this Monday into the crazy-train world of t.v. acting.

I got an email late the night before giving me directions to the location and instructions on what to bring and what to wear. The scene we were shooting was for a "pageant/debutante ball" so we were told to dress as though we were attending a "high-end wedding." Very dressy, with full hair and makeup. They stagger extra arrival times to facilitate a smooth check-in process, and I was asked to be there (Conyers) at 8 a.m. It was more than a little strange to get up at 5:30 a.m. and put on my best evening gown and tons of makeup. I packed a bag with a change of regular clothes and several other outfit choices (for the costume designer to review), some snacks (since I didn't know if/when I would be eating), and some books and magazines, per the suggestion of my actor friend, Tim.

After a lovely drive out of Atlanta and into the Georgia countryside (down a dirt road!), I arrived at a beautiful lakeside mansion, surrounded by woods and a veritable "tent city" teeming with people. Apparently, the "Vampire Diaries" soundstage is in Decatur, but because we were filming a special episode, they had rented out this mansion for a couple of weeks as the "Founder's Hall" of "Mystic Falls" (name of fictional town), in which this debutante ball is held.

The extras were all gathered (maybe 200 in all) in a big tent labeled, "EXTRAS  HOLDING." To my delight, there was a huge breakfast spread with hot food, and all kinds of cereal, snack bars, candy, coffee, and juices. After check in, we were given the run-down for how the day would go by the director, "Snoop," and Erica, the costumer.

After some waiting around, we marched up to the house to shoot the first scene of the day. We were given numbered props - different drinks and appetizer plates. The scene was of the pageant contestants and their escorts waltzing in an outdoor courtyard. Our job was to surround the edge of the courtyard and gaze adoringly at the dancers while smiling with really goofy grins on our faces, which we did for the next 4 hours. Luckily, it was a really beautiful day. Although my feet ached in their stilettos, I relished the impromptu sunbathing. Many of us, prepared for a cold day and indoor scenes, got sunburned pretty badly. I felt especially bad for the guys, who sweltered in their tuxedo jackets. People always  this, but it wasn't until I was actually involved in filming a scene for a show that I realized how many people and how much precision making television takes. For maybe 30 seconds of film, we shot for 4 hours. I really appreciated the difficulty, for the actors, of having to do the same motions and say the same dialogue in the same way over and over again. Of course, other extras told me that most scenes aren't this complicated. This, however, was a dance sequence, and a complicated episode, so it took a while for everything to be perfect. They shot the sequence from several different angles, which took a lot of patience and time from everyone involved. The only other scene I'm in involves my standing in a corner inside the house, again gazing adoringly at the main actress as she descended a spiral staircase when she was announced by the mayor of Mystic Falls. 

In total, I worked about 6 hours. The rest of the (v e r y l o o o n g) day comprised my sitting in the extras tent, eating catered food and reading a book ("Beauvoir and Sartre: the Reshaping of a Twentieth-Century Legend" fyi-if-you-care). I didn't know until I arrived that most shooting days last 12 to 14 hours - a few more for the actors and even more for the producers, directors and technicians (when do they sleep?). I really didn't enjoy it as much as a thought I would.  I had no idea what to expect, I went by myself (many of the extras did this with friends, and/or knew the others from other jobs), and it was just plain tiring. Being really dressed up all day and standing around in heels didn't help, either.

For me, the best part was getting to know the other extras, and getting a peek inside of a world totally different from my own (well, and making about $75, too!). The "extra" community is really intriguing. Most of the extras for this show seemed to be kids (college-aged?) who were either trying to break into acting or just had the flexiblity and availibility to be able to do it. It seemed like everyone knew each other from this and other shows. Many even commuted together to sets. The others involved were older -  many doing this as their primary jobs. That really intrigued me, as I am way too type-A to ever want to rely on seasonal, unpredictable work for my primary means of support. I met Cornelius, who has been doing this for 20 years. He used to work on "In the Heat of the Night," and is currently writing a screenplay based on some of the storylines from the movie/show. He's played a police deputy on "Vampire Diaries," and knows "Snoop" fairly well. I stood next to him during the dancing scene, which I'm glad about, because he gestured and pantomimed alot, which increases my visibility. I met Laurie, who started up a conversation with me about Simone de Beauvoir when she saw what book I was reading. It was really cool to meet her because she's the bassist for the punk band "Vietnam," which I had just seen play at Kavarna. We talked about working in film, her life as a musician, and literature. I met "Couger Kelly," who entertained herself during the long takes by cat-calling the sexy producers, videographers and grips on set (Well, there were some really pretty boys working behind the scenes).

All in all, it was a good day. At the very least, I have some cash in my pocket and an excuse to have a viewing party when "my" episode airs.

"The Vampire Diaries" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on the CW. I was told that the episode I'm in is #1.15. After doing some research, I'm not so sure. The theme of the episode is a beauty pageant. So, keep your eyes peeled for me!