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So, my wife Randy and I got to be extras this weekend!

I was asked to be an extra by Barry Battle, writer/director of “Camp Wilson” (I had been communicating with on and off about “Camp Wilson”). This will be my first time in front of the camera – for a scene where an author is doing a book reading, and another scene at the book signing.

Kimia’ Workman, writer/director of “Shock Nation”, was calling for extras, for a party scene and the big dance competition scene. My wife Randy signed up and hence got her first on-set experience, AND first time in front of the camera. I was on-set as usual at “Shock Nation” doing my script supervisor responsibility, but also did some work as an extra (that was unexpected!).

Shock Nation is a webseries about a girl growing up in the streets of Baltimore City and trying to find her way, as well as escape from living in poverty and being surrounded by a neighborhood of violence and drug addiction. She gets inspired by a dance group called Shock Nation that changes her perspective on life. This series will go through the life struggles of today’s young adults living in poverty, but through their friendship and strong bond, they realize that together they can achieve anything, thrive to keep chasing after their dreams, and survive any obstacle because their love for dance helps to save their life in ways they could never imagine. –  From TruTalent Creative Works website

Watch all eight episodes of Season 1 here.

Extras! Extras!

Another name for extra is background. Official Screen Actors Guild (SAG) designation is background actor.

Featured extra is an extra that interacts with a principal actor, but does not speak (e.g., a restaurant host (extra) seating a customer (principal) at a table.

If an extra speaks, the person is no longer an extra – might be a “less than five” (i.e., 5 lines) or day player.

Extras typically move around within the confines of the scene, silently mouth words as if they are talking, and make gestures. Extras make for a more natural look. At the book signing scene for “Camp Wilson”, the extras were on line to greet the author. At the dance scene for “Shock Nation”, the extras were the fans and audience at the competition.

Extras are brought to a room (the holding room) and might be hanging out for a long time until needed. An extra must follow directions of the director or whoever is in charge of handling the extras.