Background Acting
Yesterday, I was on ER.
I don’t work a whole lot anymore–gotta leave time for writing!–but I do what I can. Truthfully, if I felt safe enough bringing my laptop, I could get stuff done while I’m on set, but batteries only last so long plus I’ve heard horror stories about people having stuff stolen. I don’t want to be a horror story!
I might write one, but I don’t want to be the heroine!!!!!
I do bring at least one notebook. Sometimes I noodle with writing and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I print out scenes or chapters and edit, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I have twelve hours of doing nothing and sometimes I have about five minutes. Every shoot is different.
Hollywood is a strange place and so is background acting. Yes, background acting is more like a place than a job. Extras are at the very bottom of the food chain–sometimes not even allowed near the food! [I’ve been on several sets like that] But I say place because it’s a certain frame of mind…a certain place you gotta be in if you’re going to do lots of background work and still retain your sanity.
You have to accept that: [in no particular order]
~You’re not important
~You’re not intelligent
~No matter what, you’re wrong
~You will be blamed for everything–literally everything–that goes wrong whether or not it has to do with background acting
~Some sets appreciate background, some hate background and there’s no way to know until something goes wrong
~The days are long
~The pay is low [non-union actors make minimum wage]
~You probably won’t be seen in the finished product
~It’s a lot of work for a different kind of reward than money or fame.
However, it is nice to not have any responsibilities and to be assumed stupid sometimes. Then, there are no expectations of brilliance and you can goof off without getting in trouble.
Personally, I do it for stories and characters. I never know who I’m going to meet or what I’m going to do. It’s all an adventure and I go into it hoping it’s fun rather than work… It’s usually fun. Usually.
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