The Shortest Hollywood Career Ever

Dear Mr. Washington,

I am writing this to you
and I hope that you will read it so you'll know
My heart beats like a hammer and I stutter and I stammer
every time I see you at the picture show.
I guess I'm just another fan of yours
and I thought I'd write and tell you so.
By Judy Garland

This weekend was my big debut in a Major Hollywood Picture. I was an extra in the movie “The Great Debaters” directed by Denzel Washington. I am a major fan of his, so this was a great opportunity to see him. My friend Marlene and I were both extras in this film.

Marlene and I arrived on the set at 6 am. No one but Denzel can get me out of bed at 5am and have me be somewhere at 6am! I hope he appreciated my effort. The set is already buzzing at 6am with 500 plus extras and 200 crew people. Several tents were set up around Memorial Hall in Cambridge. Hair & Make up, Extras Holding, the SAG Tent, Check in. After about 2 hours of hair and make up and wardrobe we finally go into the real set. Inside Memorial Hall @ Harvard University. Most the extras were to be in the audience, some had prime visibility spots on stage! We then proceeded to shoot and re-shoot the same scene for about 4 hours! Cut, Reset, Rolling, Pictures up, Background Action was most of what we heard that day. Denzel was busy directing and doing his thing…so on Saturday he didn’t really address the extras. I was expecting at least a group thank you from him or even just some acknowledgement that I was there! I worked 12 freaking hours, that I will only be paid 100 bucks for…I should have gotten a measly thank you from DW. Basically, we sat in the audience and awaited the Action command. Once that happened…we pantomimed that we were talking to each other and eagerly awaiting the start of the Great Debate. I deserve an Oscar Nom for my work as an extra in this film. At least give me an award for having to sit next to stinky, skater boy all morning.

We then broke for a 30 minute lunch. Yes, only 30 minutes given to a group of 700 and with only 3 porta potties! Our lunches were very tasty! I had the Virginia Baked Ham sandwich myself! Everyone else seemed to be choosing the turkey! Why..I don’t’ know…but I chose the ham because the line was shorter. There unlimited snacks available to us, Cheez its, trail mix, gold fish crackers, pretzels, donuts, muffins, bagels, fruit, granola bars! I resisted the urge to eat all the Goldfish crackers in sight! I love goldfish crackers. So after lunch..we all are awaiting our groups to be called in for more filming……alas, Group 4 (my group and obviously the most talented) did not get called back in after lunch for more filming. So I was outside waiting for about 3 hours and nothing! It was pretty boring. I was too wired to read and could not really sleep peacefully with all the buzz of people talking. They finally released us at 8:30pm…so begins the mad rush to return your costume to wardrobe! That took about 90 minutes! I got my dress off in one piece…but the dress ripped in the back…the seams came undone…so I turned it in with a gaping hole! Oh well! No biggee…the dress is from the 1930’s…..I am surprised the thing didn’t disintegrate on me.

I did not return on Sunday, the second day of shooting. I was too dang tired and frankly bored with the movie making process. It takes too long and unless you are a major star with a trailer and a list of demands, it’s no fun.

I did get to see DW up close though….He finally came off the set and hopped into a blue SUV…he rolled down the window and seemed to be waving right at me! It was worth it! I got to see him in person and be in a movie with him! Woo hoo. My days as a Hollywood starlet are over!