So... that's what it's like to be an extra?
I had to get up at stupid o'clock to get myself to The Beehive pub in Edinburgh for 0730. Luckily the trains were running smoothly and I ended up being first there.
After a short wait, during which time I was joined by around twenty other extras, we were taken for a cup of coffee, after which we walked back to the pub.
We sat around for a while, then a couple of folk came in to choose from us. At first five people were chosen who did not include me, but one of that group was too well-muscled and I was chosen to replace him.
We were to be the ticket sellers. In the plot, the heroine is one of the ticket sellers who sells a ticket to her long-lost love. I was one of her colleagues. The other extras were variously passers-by and stall holders. Our ticket seller outfit was red breeches over very long white socks that kept falling down, a white poofy shirt and white jabot under a really, really red coat.
The action centred on a small market that had been set up in the Grassmarket. Of course, the road and pavement were still open and so our task was repeatedly interrupted by delivery vans and such like.
The first scene had the camera move through the crowd towards an outdoor restaurant table where the hero sat with his mates. About a second, perhaps? It took about half an hour to set up, we ran it about five times with a god few minutes between each run and hen were told to relax.
Then for about another half hour, all the vast array of lighting and camera equipment was moved to the other end of the Grassmarket, and we moved on to the next scene.
The lead-up to filming consisted of s sequence of calls and responses - the call coming from the Director and the response, if appropriate, from someone in the crew. The one I had to listen for was "background action" because that was when I started moving. A fraction of a second later came "action", the cue for the stars to.do their thing.
We were served lunch around 1330, where I opted for the vegetable pasta in preference to the chicken curry.
And after lunch we started again.
When we finally finished around 2045, I reckon that they would have a maximum of 30s of film.
I'll never look at a film the same way again!
It was surprising to see how many people gathered around the filming areas. We were fairly noticeable, and as the hours crept on on a Friday night in the Grassmarket I wondered if the revellers may cause problems, but everything went smoothly.
So it was a fun and interesting day, and I met loads of really lovely people. I even was wished "bless you" by the star (Shahid Kapur) when he sneezed - and I understand that hundreds of thousands of Indian girls would kill to be so close to him! A couple of passing tourist girls were desperate to have their photo taken with me, and watching the onlookers was as much fun as watching the action.
It's not the easiest way to earn £70, but it was fun. Thank you to everyone who made it such a good day!
(Typed on my phone - apologies for the typos)
I had to get up at stupid o'clock to get myself to The Beehive pub in Edinburgh for 0730. Luckily the trains were running smoothly and I ended up being first there.
After a short wait, during which time I was joined by around twenty other extras, we were taken for a cup of coffee, after which we walked back to the pub.
We sat around for a while, then a couple of folk came in to choose from us. At first five people were chosen who did not include me, but one of that group was too well-muscled and I was chosen to replace him.
We were to be the ticket sellers. In the plot, the heroine is one of the ticket sellers who sells a ticket to her long-lost love. I was one of her colleagues. The other extras were variously passers-by and stall holders. Our ticket seller outfit was red breeches over very long white socks that kept falling down, a white poofy shirt and white jabot under a really, really red coat.
The action centred on a small market that had been set up in the Grassmarket. Of course, the road and pavement were still open and so our task was repeatedly interrupted by delivery vans and such like.
The first scene had the camera move through the crowd towards an outdoor restaurant table where the hero sat with his mates. About a second, perhaps? It took about half an hour to set up, we ran it about five times with a god few minutes between each run and hen were told to relax.
Then for about another half hour, all the vast array of lighting and camera equipment was moved to the other end of the Grassmarket, and we moved on to the next scene.
The lead-up to filming consisted of s sequence of calls and responses - the call coming from the Director and the response, if appropriate, from someone in the crew. The one I had to listen for was "background action" because that was when I started moving. A fraction of a second later came "action", the cue for the stars to.do their thing.
We were served lunch around 1330, where I opted for the vegetable pasta in preference to the chicken curry.
And after lunch we started again.
When we finally finished around 2045, I reckon that they would have a maximum of 30s of film.
I'll never look at a film the same way again!
It was surprising to see how many people gathered around the filming areas. We were fairly noticeable, and as the hours crept on on a Friday night in the Grassmarket I wondered if the revellers may cause problems, but everything went smoothly.
So it was a fun and interesting day, and I met loads of really lovely people. I even was wished "bless you" by the star (Shahid Kapur) when he sneezed - and I understand that hundreds of thousands of Indian girls would kill to be so close to him! A couple of passing tourist girls were desperate to have their photo taken with me, and watching the onlookers was as much fun as watching the action.
It's not the easiest way to earn £70, but it was fun. Thank you to everyone who made it such a good day!
(Typed on my phone - apologies for the typos)
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