They are called “extras.”
Who will they be next?
What character will they portray?
Our son and his wife are often extras for movies and TV shows filmed in New Orleans and the surrounding area. They can see the needs of the film companies online and apply, then they are notified if they fit the role.
They go to New Orleans to the assigned place, get makeup and hair done, and costumes are fitted for them. They usually work 8 to 12 hours waiting for their time to be filmed. “There’s a lot of waiting around,” they said, “waiting for the director to get other filming done with the stars, waiting for the scene to be set up, or waiting because of some unknown delay.”
Being patient, not complaining, and being ready when it is time for them to be filmed are important to the reputation they get on the set. The reputation is shared among the directors and staff from the different movies. Being dependable and flexible is important, too, because the role they play may change due to the way filming goes.
Overnight shoots may include lots of fog and scary atmospheres on darkened New Orleans streets, old cars from the 1930s or streetcar scenes, or being a policeman on a dark underpass. Our son has been a policeman, a gangster, a construction worker, and other roles. Our daughter-in-law has been a stewardess, a protestor, a spectator on the sidewalk and portrayed other people. They have been in courtroom and police chase scenes.
The work is very interesting because they meet lots of people connected to the making of the films and talk to them. They learn a lot! They get to see the nitty-gritty side of how scenes are set up and how many takes may need to be done to get the scenes just right. They see the stars and how they act during filming and during down time. It is amazing how many places are used as locations — from the city to the old warehouses where sets are built.
They told me about one actor who was so funny just being around the people on the set when they were not shooting. He was joking around, dancing and singing. When they called for the shoot, he instantly changed and dropped completely into his character as a lawyer and began delivering his lines.
Work is everywhere! People are needed to fill diverse jobs in different fields with different sets of demands. Our grown children work online — in various types of positions. There are so many opportunities to choose from.
The Bible says in Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Honest work can be found!
Ecclesiastes 3:22 tells us: “There is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work, for that is their lot.” Work can add fun, interest, learning and adventure to life.
Jesus himself said in John 5:17 that: “My father is still working and I also am working.”
Finally in Colossians 3:23, we read: “Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters.”
We need each other to be at work doing good work!
Be a part of it!
