| Cazzy Lewchuk Staff Writer Imost every movie, TV show, or music video has at least a couple (and often, several hundred) people in the background of the scene. While the actors are speaking at a party, there have to be other party guests present in the background, or it wouldn’t make any sense. The people who portray these non- speaking roles are known as “background performers,” or more commonly, “extras.” Pretty much everything being filmed requires some background performers—and you can be one of them. Vancouver in particular has a booming TV and film industry, and summer is a busy time for filming due to pilots and blockbusters being shot then. However, something is always being filmed year-round in the city. Working as an extra can bea lot of fun: you get to watch and hang around ata film set, eat lots of craft service Shis issue: (¥ Mindful eating Y Let's Talk Science: Grafting, milk, and hair loss And more! : food, and be ina movie ora : show! It can also be exhausting : and daunting, but it’s overall a : good experience. Many wonder about the : initial process. Generally, most : shows and movies recruit : extras through an extras : agency. Hollywood North and : BCF Casting are two of the : biggest ones, but many talent : agencies exist throughout the : city. If you don’t mind not : getting paid—just doing it asa : one-time experience—smaller : productions like music videos : or student films can be found : on Craigslist. Once signed up, an : organizer for the production : will contact you with details : of the shoot. Shoots are often : announced only a couple days : in advance—having a flexible : (or an empty) schedule really : helps with getting booked. : While shoots generally take : place during the day, super : late night or early morning call : times do happen. Sometimes : filming even occurs overnight, : particularly if indoors and/ : or at a popular location like a : restaurant. Extras come in all shapes : and sizes, although some are : better fits for specific parts : than others. Someone with : stretched earlobes, a beard, : and dyed hair doesn’t blend : into the background as nicely : asa clean-shaven, short-haired : person. On the other hand, : sometimes shoots specifically : require people with distinctive : features—if the scene took : place at a metal concert, for : example. It all depends on what : : the script calls for. Probably the most : important aspect of being an : extra is shutting up and doing : as youre told. Working ona : film set is a stressful and busy : process for everyone involved, : and background probably has : the easiest job on set. A great : deal of it is sitting around : waiting for directions. It can, : and often does take hours for : any filming to get done. Shoots : can last a great deal of time— : days lasting 1 plus hours are ; not uncommon. The extras : always have a resting place : where they are free to socialize, : eat, or otherwise relax. Bringing : a book and a phone charger is : often a good idea. It’s not a glamorous job. Have an idea? Contact: Chitwan Khosla, Features Editor M features@theotherpress.ca www.theotherpress.ca yi ant : The actual working part is—in : essence—being a human prop. : You're specifically meant to not : take attention away from the : lead or main actors, meaning : you should look natural and : non-distracting. The acting : component can mean any : number of things—you may : stand talking to someone else, : or be running away froma : monster. You may be wearing clothes from home (you'll be : instructed on what to wear : in advance) or be given a full : costume. This is where the : obedience and the listening : part come in. You’re working in : a group and adding a natural : element to the scene. Owning a car or at least : having access to one isa : huge asset to being an extra. : Although not a necessity, it : greatly increases the number : of opportunities offered. Many : of the film sets are far away : from public transit and can : bein places like Aldergrove, : Abbotsford, or even Squamish. : Being able to drive can also give you an advantage on : set—often drivers are needed : to take others short distances, : and using your car leads toa bit : / bela CX! » Working as a background performer in the entertainment industry tra? a : more pay. Sometimes your car : can even be used as part of the : scene. It should go without saying, : but background performers : should never bother the : primary actors on set. Yes, Jared : Padalecki and Jensen Ackles are : famous and handsome. But the : actor is there to do his job on : set just like everyone else and : doesn’t have time to be harassed : by the background actors. : Although some performers : may—at their discretion—do : a quick photo afterwards, it : should never be asked for. Don’t : talk to them. Don’t interact with : them. Nobody wants you to do : itand blacklisting does occur in : the industry for those who can’t : work ona set properly. If nothing else, extra’s work is a memorable experience. It’s : something that should be tried : by anyone who hasa general : interest in it. It’s definitely fun : and neat to view a set, and to : gain a greater understanding : and appreciation for the : industry and work that takes : place in creating entertainment. : There’s free food and creativity : abundant, and much worse ways to get paid.