What it’s like to get picked from a hundred+ extras.

I had a late call time today, 12:30PM so I was able to do work in the morning. I worked on some costuming emails for the short film I’m doing wardrobe on next week. I’m very excited about that because I have a budget to shop for this and have been involved in more of the character work than I thought I would. But back to today.

I arrived on set in black sweats and the Patagonia pullover that I’ve basically lived in since the day I got it, same goes for the black Birkenstock slides with iridescent buckles. I wore them with socks. My feet get cold easily.

People mover takes five of us to basecamp.

I was fitted last week so it’s nice to roll onto set and just have everything ready. No options no changing just straight to work.

Hair commented on my very full hair even though I’m insecure about the increasing volume of clumps that is falling out when I shower. Makeup was happy with what I was wearing.

I’m in the middle of a move and stressed so I didn’t have the desire to socialize.

People mover takes us to set.

The first thing we do is lunchtime! HAHA. I had the usual healthy - ish fair, steak, chicken, vegetables, pasta. Lemonade. It was 84 degrees.

Some reading. A book that I got as a gift that’s sort of feminist but not really. I think it’s called Who’s Story is This?

We go to set and CUT TO

Principal is wrapped and sent home.

Moments later…

Inciting incident.

The director calls me and another girl in the same outfit up. After a moment of looking at us, he chooses me and tells me to come up the stairs.

I meet people, they call me by name.

I’m told to do this and that. 2nd 2nd asks for my number.

My phone number?

The number that was written on my wardrobe tag.

Oops haha.

Camera sets up for different shots, I get different directions.

AD and Director thank me and tell me I’ve been upgraded.

That was the last shot of the day, we go home.

THREE different background people came up to me after to congratulate me.

First one seemed a little envious, it was more like investigation. Probably in his 30’s.

Second one seemed admiring and in awe. Probably early 20’s.

Third one seemed really, really happy for me, like a one of us (background actors) had a really big win today. Probably in his 60’s.

Funny how this kinds of lines up, I’m only realizing this makes so much sense as I write it.

What else was of note? On the people mover on the way home I was eavsdropping on a convo between an older woman in her 60’s and a man probably in his 40’s, both talking about screenplays they are writing, and how she’s new to this. It was nice to hear them genuinely helping each other.

Other characters on set: 1 - an arrogant (her costume matched her personality, costuming must have seen right through her hah!) person that I overheard saying to a PA, “I don’t understand why you can’t just give me a voucher.”

All this observation because I’m not on social media. I’m present!

But also, I couldn’t help but feel some guilt around doing the right thing, I thanked everyone. Isn’t that enough? I’m convinced women just love feeling guilty, like what we do is never enough.

When I was picked I knew what the assignment was, in fact, I heard some guys say behind me, “it’s ok she knows what to do, she’s SAG.” I’m there to help them get the shot they need, end of story, no one wants to chat, everyone wants to go home.

So why do I feel like I should have done more?

I’m a fan of this person and I think I will like this show. It was a good day, in spite of the other things going haywire in my life.

I didn’t have a very long drive after. I’m really blessed.

C