Huff (Showtime)

August 16, 2005
9:30 Background Call (Extras)
Set: Trader Vics in Beverly Hills

I set my alarm for 7:45 AM and got up at 6:54 AM (groan). Dressed and out the door by 8:30 AM and at the base camp by 9:00 AM. Base camp is where they set up the meeting place for actors, crew and such. Because this was a location shoot, we were fed breakfast and lunch. The "background", which is what the extras are called, were ferried to the wardrobe department where the talents (principal actors) trailers and make up vans were located. Costume people checked what we wore, and I had to change from a white shirt (too much for the cameras) to a red shirt and as I had done my own make-up, I was ready.

We were then ferried (again by van) to the shoot site. This was the famous "Trader Vics" restaurant in Beverly Hills. I went inside and found a seat where I spent the better part of an hour chatting with Jennifer (J.J.) who was set to play a jail guard later in the day. We now know each others lives. While I was sitting there, a production assistant came over to Tom Skerritt and asked him if he could filet a fish. He asked why and was answered, (couldn't hear the answer) and then asked if they were going to put him to work in the kitchen. He seemed reassured that he was still going to play the scene he rehearsed.

It was about 11:30 before they needed me. On the call "Background", the extras start moving, and then "action" is called. Action is when the talent begins emoting. My first bit was to be seated by a waiter with two women and another man. By the third take, the other guy was taken off to sit nearer the action. About 3 or 4 takes later, I was dragged off a spot about six feet from the talent, where I waited for my cue to cross from stage left to stage right, just behind the actors. We did this a bazillion times.

After a while, they moved the cameras, and I had to move to a table just behind the talent, where on my cue, I got up and made the same cross. I have begun to think that some of this was made up on the spot. Kind of, "Well, we got this guy crossing, and now we gotta figure out where he crossed from." A rather controlled form of chaos.

Among the "background" players, were those that were enjoying themselves, like me, and those who gripped about the working conditions. Kind of like a fisherman gripping about having to work on a boat. Sheesh.

After lunch at 4.44 PM, I clocked out and went home. About a 20 minute drive. And I am beat. Spent most of the day sitting, but when I worked, I had to pay close attention to what was going on, this being my first day on a set. I had a ball. I would not mind working with this crew again. Professional and polite.

Tomorrow -------------------------------------------- West Wing!