An Interview with a Movie Extra
The Experience of Being in George Clooney's Leatherheads
Movies take the time, effort and skill of hundreds, if not thousands of people. Think of many of the great sweeping epics of the last 100 years, films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Longest Day, Saving Private Ryan, Malcolm X, Cry Freedom, Ghandi and so many others, whose grand scale and monumental accomplishment is born on the backs of countless talents. Even the smaller films could not achieve the glorious suspension of disbelief within audiences without the use of the movie extra.
So, what is an extra? The movie extra is often an overlooked but critical element in film. The people walking about in the background, the voiceless individuals standing to attention in the great war films or swelling as crowds in some of cinema's greatest moments are all extras, people who have signed on to be a part of film history. In HBO's tremendously funny and poignant show, "Extras," starring Ricky Gervais (of the UK's "The Office"), the life and struggles of men and women trying to become a part of the movie machine by serving as nameless extras werechronicled for laughs.
When George Clooney came to North Carolina in 2007 to work on shooting his latest directorial effort, Leatherheads, (his third film as director following the critical darling Good Night and Good Luck) the production sent out a casting call for North Carolinians interested in being in a Hollywood movie. The film, which opened in 2008, starred George Clooney himself, along with Renée Zellweger and John Krasinski (of NBC's "The Office'), and told the story of football in the 1920's with both a sense of humor and of romance.
One of people who responded to the call for movie extras was a young man, Manny Perez who lives and works in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Q. What made you decide to try out to be an extra?
What was interesting about this opportunity to be an extra was the fact that it was being advertised as a "paid" extra on the local news station. I had the time available and did not want to pass it up. To be paid $100 a day for two days and getting to hang out with George Clooney and Renee Zellwegger for both days is something to take advantage of!
Q2. What was the atmosphere on set like?
The atmosphere was very adaptable, especially for being a Hollywood production. All of us as extras were treated as if we were the stars. We were catered to, make-up, hair; I was very pleased, and now addicted, to the attention that was given to us just for being extras in this movie.
Q3. How long did it take for the set up of each shot you were a part of?
Each take lasted a good 30 minutes. We had to retake a shot about three times. They hired stunt-cops for the scene where they kicked a door down, and George kept saying that he wanted more wood to fly. What was most notable about the sets were the props; everything, everything to the "T" was set to the 1920s time frame. It was amazing!
Q4. How many takes for your scene?
The scene I was involved in had at least three-to-five takes. Most of the time they had to comb or fix George Clooney's hair, which was funny because Renee rarely had her hair done and more attention was placed on George.
Q5. How many people, behind the camera, when the scene was playing out?
I remember seeing about three different cameras, about 10-15 crew, just on the set. There were more out in the "holding cell" tending to the extras not being used for the scene at the time.
Q6. What is your fondest memory of this experience?
My fondest memory was when I complimented Renee. When a scene finished I, along with my cop buddies, were drinking water and eating pizza and Renee walked through us, she said, "Excuse me." I spoke up and said, "No, excuse us. Don't you remember that you ordered a "police" escort?" (Because we were in our cop uniforms for the scene) and she turned back and looked at me and said, "Oh, a girl should be so lucky." She curtsied and walked upstairs to her trailer. After that the other seven cops that were with me couldn't believe I passed a line like that on Renee Zellwegger, which not only made me popular but the favorite to work with. Not to brag, of course!
Q. Do you think you will try out for an extra again (or even a small role)?
Oh, yes, definitely!
Q. Any advice for others who are considering the vastly underpaid and under-appreciated life as an extra?
It takes a spark to light a fire. It could be the starting point of a career. If there's one thing that I've learned from this experience, is that you never know what they're looking for! If the opportunity knocks, TAKE IT! It's an excellent experience. A great time with complete strangers. You never know whom you'll rub shoulders with!
Manny Perez
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