Interview 101 with a Background Actor

What do you prefer to be called, an Extra or a Background Actor?

It depends; I am usually now referred to as “Background” in the 80s and 90s. I was often referred to as an “Extra” sometimes, “Cattle” and other times as “Hey You!”

I understand you have been on Western / Hollywood Style Sets, Independent or Indie Films, Bollywood Production, and Chinawood productions?

Yes, I have also been on several Student films' nonpaying productions over the last forty-plus years.

How are they different, besides productions gets?

Western films, especially big-budget films or productions, have a hierarchy that never really changes.

An example is meal break times, Big name actors and directors tend to eat first, unionized crew next, union actors, and finally, the “background” that is non-union eats last.

Bollywood, you all eat together, once on a set, the four “Extras waited far back from the food. The Director from India assumed we did not like Indian food; he stopped everyone from eating and asked us if we preferred other food. We explained that we always ate last in Western Film productions. He seemed confused and said in “Indian films we eat together,” he insisted the four of us go first.

Chinawood, only been in two productions that came out of Hongkong, meals were often an afterthought for everyone.

Student Films and some Independent Films are like family often with everyone eating together when possible. Sometimes leaning against a wall of times in makeshift chairs as the budget permitted.

I suspect most people did not know this, are there other differences as well?

Student, Independent, and no-budget films are a great place to learn. Often you are an actor one moment, holding a microphone, lighting equipment or helping with make-up the next.

On a Bollywood production, I have been asked to portray some difficult roles requiring union membership or special training in a big-budget production. I was challenged and had a great time doing it.

What is it that you did?

I am far from a racist and respect women and all sexual orientations; for me, the challenge was being a middle-aged racist and, in one case, someone that prayed on young Southeast Asian women.

Is there a particular movie or television production that stands out in your mind?

A couple always comes to my mind for various reasons. The Wranglers on Superman & Lois were awesome and kind to me.

What is a wrangler?

For me, a movie Wrangler is one of the people that handle, looks after, and gets background performers to and from the set. They see too many things end up doing a lot of paperwork, and seem to be first and last to leave. You do not find them on some of the smaller productions.

What is it like to be on a set?

It is like being a kid again, playing in the yard, being someone else except you are there. I have stood on a street in Smallville, been in gang-infested streets of L.A., boarding an aircraft at Boston International Airport of having front row seats at a Boston Bruins Hockey game, Except I never left the province of British Columbia.

Do you actually get to talk and scream on these sets?

That is the beautiful thing about it; it is silent except for the actors that have talking parts. Sound is usually added in later. The set is silent when I am talking and laughing at leaning on a bar it is all done silently. When the crowd of fifty-plus strikers moves through the street, we do it silently.

Have you ever been in an Acting Union?

Only twice where I had special permits, but never worked enough hours or got enough instruction to know how to become a union member.

Thank you for your thoughts. May we finish this interview within the week?

Anything is possible. I love the film industry and met some fascinating people over the last forty years.