By Jennifer Rizzi
When I first heard that "Warrior," an upcoming Lionsgate film starring Nick Nolte and Kurt Angle, would film in Oakland this summer, I quickly responded to the call for local extras. The "extra" -ordinary experience I got in return fulfilled two personal goals. Not only did it indulge my childhood dream of appearing in a movie, but it gave me a chance to earn some much-needed spending money during my summer break from college back in the ‘Burgh. To celebrate the experience, which one teary-eyed extra compared to "summer camp" on the last day of filming, I bring you a day in the life a movie extra below. Behold: "The ‘Warrior’ Diaries."
5:10 a.m. Wake up and wriggle into costume, pre-approved last week by the movie’s wardrobe personnel. We’ve been shooting scenes that span only one day in "movie time," so we’re supposed to look identical each day. That means my zebra-print tank top and dark skinny jeans have been getting their share of wear-and-tear lately.
6 a.m. No need to fight traffic during this eerily calm, pre-rush hour commute. Being the only car on the road makes me feel straight from the old "Twilight Zone" episode about the last person left on earth. Arrive at the Petersen Events Center a few minutes ahead of scheduled "call time." Still fall at the end of a lengthy check-in line that nearly runs out the door.
7 a.m. Help a group of first time extras navigate the area.I join them for breakfast, and we bond over fruit and cereal courtesy of Lionsgate studios.
9 a.m. Filming time. Stand in assigned place for three hours till toes throb in high heels. Distract myself from the pain by chatting with others in similar discomfort. Watch Kurt Angle stride through the door "in-character" with his fictional entourage. Play designated role of obsessed, screaming fan with other crowd members.
Take Two: Kurt Angle walks in, cheer again.Take Five: Repeat.Take Umpteen: Cheer for Kurt and wonder why the seemingly identical sequence had to be created yet again.
1-3 p.m. More takes. Cannot believe that I’m literally being paid to smile and clap when the camera is on and make small talk with nearby strangers when it’s not. Remind myself that money doesn’t usually come this easily in the real world.
5:45-10 p.m. Watch two film stars duke it out on-set in a staged fight. Tap into my acting roots and react to each punch. Become entertained by the mixed martial arts moves and make a mental note catch the real thing on TV sometime.
11 p.m. Wait in checkout line to validate pay voucher. Say good-bye to new friends. Exchange numbers but know that I probably won’t see them again. We simply made nice memories together in Movie Land, a place where time stands still and daylight may or may not exist. But like any other world removed from reality, it’s just so darn fun.
Posted
Jul 29 2009, 01:21 AM
by
Jennifer Rizzi