|
|
| |
|
 |
|
| |
As you probably know, the first of Sex and the City’s final eight episodes premiered last Sunday, January 4th. The episode featured Carrie and her girlz but there were a couple of exciting newcomers that you might not have noticed, namely Chris and myself. We were extras cast as upscale shoppers in those scenes at Barneys.
This was my first and only acting gig and I was so nervous! The night before I could hardly sleep. What if I froze on camera? What if I tripped in front of SJ? What if I showed up and they told me I wasn’t upscale enough? I tossed and turned but then finally got out of bed extra early to be sure to make our 7am call at Maxims, a restaurant across the street from Barneys.
The place was creepy! It felt abandoned, all dark and dusty with a huge cascading staircase. I felt like I was entering Norma Desmond’s house in Sunset Boulevard. The décor was all Art Nouveau with burgundy velvet drapes, stained glass, elaborate lotus lamps and foggy mirrors everywhere. As I walked up that staircase I certainly did not feel ready for my closeup.
When you’re an extra, the first thing you do is check in with the production assistant, or PA as they’re called in the biz. He or she checks you off of a list - I was #62 and Chris was #61 - then gives you some tax forms to fill out, tells you to get your outfits ready for wardrobe approval and that craft service is downstairs and to help yourself. Then the PA gives you the scoop.
Ours told us more about the scenes we were about to shoot. He was charming and funny but also had a serious side. We were told that, under no circumstance, were any of us to talk to the girls. He repeated it for effect, “DO NOT TALK TO THE GIRLS!” He said they are all super nice and would definitely talk back to us, but if that happened it would slow down production and we could then be shooting all night. He assured us that no one wanted this to happen.
After the PA finished his speech he asked if there was anyone who was new to this type of work. Out of a room of over a hundred people, I was the only one that raised my hand. I thought for sure my acting career was doomed! Then it got worse. We had to all line up in front of Barneys so the powers that be could walk by, check out our looks and choose us for the scene one by one. Talk about nerve-racking!
Happily, both Chris and I were sent inside for the first scene and, within minutes, found ourselves right near Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis! They both looked so cute I couldn’t help but smile at them. And it was true what the production assistant had said. They were friendly, saying “Hi!” to all of us as we entered. Of course nobody talked back. The PA must have been so proud!
Do you remember the scene where Charlotte dons a Burberry eye mask and gets lost in a shuffle of shoppers? I was actually in that one, although the first ten times we filmed it were disastrous. There were so many extras coming towards Kristin that she kept getting trampled rather than merely jostled. The main problem was that she really couldn’t see out of her Burberry mask! We worked on that same scene for hours, choreographing the moves and trying it from different angles and with different turns.
Eventually I was moved from the elevator and stationed on the escalator. I’m sure that decreased my on-camera time but I was happy because it gave me a great view of this fascinating behind-the-scenes special of Sex and the City I was now enjoying. I was so drawn into all the little details... SJ and Kristin had their makeup refreshed constantly and their hair brushed. Sometimes SJ read the paper but mostly the two girlz just chatted and laughed. It really seemed like everyone was having a great time.
Once the morning scenes were over, we went back to the holding area at Maxims. This is where it really became clear that we were the only ones doing this gig just for fun. We just really like Sex and the City and wanted to give its last season a personal send-off. Most everyone else, though, was extremely serious about show business and, believe me, had lots to say about it. The stories were endless!
This one girl I met, a Donatella Versace look alike, gave me all the insider tips. She had been an extra on Sex before as well as on lots of other shows. She said that Court TV paid the most but was by far the most boring. She just kept talking and I kept listening... Donatella had recently finished a low-budget horror film where she played a prom queen who had her throat cut. When she drove home that night she was still wearing her tiara and covered in fake blood. Then she was pulled over for speeding! I can only imagine the look on Officer Friendly’s face...
After lunch we changed into our second upscale outfits and Chris and I were chosen to shop the shoe department. This is where Charlotte would find Carrie, as well as that floral Prada pump she couldn’t live without. Here we were background to the background... We couldn’t see ourselves at all when we watched the episode last night but I have such a fond memory of being there. Chris and I had a blast play acting together! We’d pantomime our own little scenarios just to make it more fun. One time he’d play my bored boyfriend and we’d argue. Then the next time we’d do the scene he’d be my overzealous Euro sales clerk. In another take we’d be as rude as possible to each other and just crack ourselves up. Maybe this acting thing is for me after all!
01/05/2004 |
|
