My Experience as a Film Extra

Entrance to the film location

Another new experience for me was gained, once again through being a member of The Wonderyears.  Our MD and Founder, Dave Thomas, had been asked by and Assistant Director of a film called 'Lilting' if any of our group would like to be extras on this project.  Five of us decided we would and were asked to join the film crew on their film location last week.
We were made very welcome by everyone, the Assistant Director, Emlyn Pool; who had been liasing with us, put us at our easy and explained what we were needed to do.  Although we weren't to paid for doing this we were 'fed and watered'.

The scenes we were to be part of where the actors were in a Residential Nursing Home, let's hope that our parts are not a depiction of the future as we were to be filmed as some of the residents.  We were asked to sit around this large lounge, and I mean large, some of us read books, some played scrabble (or pretended to) while Joan knitted.  We weren't the only extras, the ones we met were Sam, from Egham New Singers, John, who's son had seen an advert and so applied through this, and Dorothy, who was a local WI member.   (I do apologise for the quality of the photos) the last photo is of myself in one of the places I sat to read).

The story involved five characters, although I only saw four.  There was Ben Wishaw - Richard, the main character. Cheng Pei Pei - Junn, a resident who could only speak Mandarin (Cheng Pei Pei is a well know actress in her own country, this will be her debut here).  Naomi Christie - Vann, a translator. Peter Bowles -Alan, the love interest for Junn and Andrew Leung - Kai, a partner of Richard.  I was amazed at the amount of times the scenes were played out, as the camera repositioned.  This must take a lot of stamina on the part of the actors as they had to repeat the exact words and actions over and over.

There was lots of waiting around, though when off set we spent the time getting to know some of those members of the filming crew who were behind the scenes and the other extras, or as on the forms we signed Supporting Artistes.  Naomi found time between scenes to introduce herself, she was really lovely in all ways.

Some of the film crew watching the run through of scenes that have just been filmed.

Sam reading between takes.

Queuing for lunch (Joan is behind Ben Wishaw).

The kitchen, this isn't in the film.

We were told by Emlyn that the film will be going to the Film Festivals and then will go on general release. We, the extras, will be on the credits.  The whole experience was good despite the waiting around and feeling cold on the first day. 

I wonder what will be next on my agenda of my life?