Okay, now I am Having Fun.

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
Last week I got a call to be on "Cold Case" as a '60s Jetsetter. I didn't recognize myself after wardrobe and the hair people got done with me. Tweed suit, hat, horn rimmed glasses, Jeez, it was freaky!

Well today I get a rush call to be on the "Heroes" set tomorrow as a "technician". Nice!

It's only extra work, but it feels weird (but cool) being on the other side of the camera. I have gone over to the dark side (acting) LOL
 
Last edited:
I did some extra work back in the day and you can learn A LOT about filmmaking just by paying attention to what goes on around the set. Gives you an inside look at lighting, sound, directing style, camera gear, and most helpful to me was the movie set lingo.

I'd love to do extra work if they shot any movies in my area, but that's a once-a-decade thing here.
 
yeehaanow said:
I did some extra work back in the day and you can learn A LOT about filmmaking just by paying attention to what goes on around the set. Gives you an inside look at lighting, sound, directing style, camera gear, and most helpful to me was the movie set lingo.
Click to expand...

Yeehaanow

Yes, you can learn those things
 
Last edited:
Extra work is good to get used to being on a set and that's about it... well, that and make a few bucks...

BUT... If you're an actor and you do too much extra work (at least here in LA), you get somewhat known as an extra and will actually hurt your chances of climbing the acting ladder.
 
Tom Marshall said:
BUT... If you're an actor and you do too much extra work (at least here in LA), you get somewhat known as an extra and will actually hurt your chances of climbing the acting ladder.
Click to expand...

So true and the same here. I have heard casting people point blank ask..."don't they do extra work for us" when presenting a new actor.

Come tell some of my old students that so they know I did not make it up!
 
So no one gets "miffed" or their knickers in a twist thinking I am trying to lower what an actor is, I am also an actor in very specialized action roles (yes, I do get lines, so that is more than being an extra). The extra stuff, I am using that for exposure, and a little extra money (pun very much intended).

My goals are to be behind the camera, in stunt coordinator roles, etc.
 
Last edited:
Doc Bernard said:
So no one gets "miffed" or their knickers in a twist thinking I am trying to lower what an actor is, I am also an actor in very specialized action roles (yes, I do get lines, so that is more than being an extra). The extra stuff, I am using that for exposure, and a little extra money (pun very much intended).

My goals are to be behind the camera, in stunt coordinator roles, etc.
Click to expand...


Doc...

I don't think anyone got miffed or will. If they do, just tell me and I will put the wrath of 100 Jewish Mothers on their head! tee hee...I have a gift for it. I think a few of us just wanted to make sure to show the differences. You get all the exposure you can, make that money and ask questions too...trust me on that!

I have even worked with stunt folks a bit. Done a few myself in my 'pre middle aged bones' days. I also helped teaching acting at action actor camps and you want to get to meet as many stunt guys as possible. Meet the Keys too. If you have any background in particular sports that lend themselves to the work, make sure those guys know it.

Do you have a MA background? Or one of the other sports that lends itself to the job? Just curious because I might actually be able to give you some decent guidance on this one if you don't have someone filling in those blanks yet.
 
Let's see if this work's, LOL, stupid censoring algorithm: shi-to-ryu. I wasn't swearing in my PM, I swear! Oh rats, I just swore.:eek:
 
Wow!

Wow!

To some this may seem like nothing, but I got another callback to the set of "Heroes" (I am the low voltage technician fixing things in the office) and this time they are giving me a SAG voucher for this Monday!

Two more, and I'm eligible for SAG membership. But my luck, there will be a strike or something.

"I'd like to thank the Academy......" Sorry, just practicing for my Oscar. LOL! :cheesy:
 
Doc Bernard said:
To some this may seem like nothing, but I got another callback to the set of "Heroes" (I am the low voltage technician fixing things in the office) and this time they are giving me a SAG voucher for this Monday!

Two more, and I'm eligible for SAG membership. But my luck, there will be a strike or something.

"I'd like to thank the Academy......" Sorry, just practicing for my Oscar. LOL! :cheesy:
Click to expand...


Big kudos sweetie. Keep blowing them away at auditions!

Do double check though...I thought the vouchers had to be for 3 consecutive days to be eligible. I could be wrong so do check that out.
 
Michele Seidman said:
Big kudos sweetie. Keep blowing them away at auditions!

Do double check though...I thought the vouchers had to be for 3 consecutive days to be eligible. I could be wrong so do check that out.
Click to expand...

Just called them and per SAG (Hollywood) you just need 3 days, non-consecutive on SAG productions and paid according to SAG rules (SAG-voucher). Of course if you are Taft-Hartley'ed, that just flies out the door.

Hope this helps.
 
This whole, "BG are not actors" stuff is nonsense and I wanted to clear a couple things up here.

When I first moved to Hollywood I started in acting and trained with several well-known coaches and performed in local theater. I later landed a great commercial agent and a theatrical agent. During this time I did a ton of BG work through several Extra agencies and became friends with some of the top BG agents in town. I then landed a couple small parts in TV and several films. I became SAG and AFTRA because I worked for it. I'm not blowing smoke but I wanted to share that I know what I'm talking about before sharing my thoughts on some of these posters in here.

Most extras are in fact REAL actors that use BG work to supplement their income while schlepping around town for auditions. There are a small percentage of BG that are only in it for the dough and do not seek out acting as a means of pursuit, but they are few. To suggest BG are not actors and don't have to "hit a mark" is ridiculous. They may not have lines but they work hard to insure their roles in the film meet the expectations of the Director.

I was a stand-in for Benjamin Bratt on the show E-Ring for a brief time and remember how hard some of those BG actors worked to nail what the Director and AD were trying to accomplish. Without them the scenes would have sucked half the time, which goes for several shows/films. Also, BG work is a perfectly acceptable means to enter SAG and has paved the way for several successful actors in the world today. Brad Pitt is one of thousands that have worked their way into the limelight starting in BG work.

Not to mention, getting to know quite a few of the boutique BG agencies landed me several commercial gigs that spring-boarded into other high-paying gigs. Also, I now have several connections for other projects I work on now and have touched-base with a few of those agents when needed. Do not disqualify BG work as just some guys in the back-ground who are not actors. That's crap.
 
Last edited:
alveraz said:
getting to know quite a few of the boutique BG agencies landed me several commercial gigs that spring-boarded into other high-paying gigs. Also, I now have several connections for other projects I work on now and have touched-base with a few of those agents when needed. Do not disqualify BG work as just some guys in the back-ground who are not actors. That's crap.
Click to expand...


Cool, well please link your imdb listing for us. I am afraid I don't have the time to go read your blog but I can check out a resume fairly quickly.
 
Last edited:
This isn't about me, I don't need to prove anything. Those gigs were commercials. And the connections helped me with several writing and production gigs, I should have elaborated. I only did acting for a year or so, but those connections were valuable. Helped me connect with several producers which led to additional writing assignments. But if you need to see my IMDB for some reason you can go look it up, I'm there. We can also piss for distance if you'd like.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top