once in a lifetime!

I can't begin to describe what an amazing experience I had yesterday as an extra on the set of "W." Given that I've done this extra thing a couple of times before I thought I knew what to expect. While this was true for the overall process (how to check-in/out, rules of the set, have a book to read for the downtimes, dining options, etc.), I wasn't prepared for the intimacy due to the limited number of extras on hand or the attention to detail in each of the scenes. New to me this time also included wardrobe, hair and makeup. Given I had a wardrobe fitting the day before I was prepared for that piece of it but hair & makeup was completely unexpected and a total treat!

The first scene I was a part of was set in 1991 so I was dressed in a rather conservative suit with a conservative hair-do (think bob). I was the only woman with nine other male extras and while I didn't get to sit at the "big boy table" for the scene (set in a boardroom), I was still in extremely close proximity (my chair was on the wall, which makes sense given that there probably weren't many women involved in White House meetings back in the early 90's) to the three principal stars in the scene (James Cromwell (President Bush Sr.), Richard Dreyfuss (Dick Cheney), & Jeffrey Wright (Colin Powell). Even more amazing is that I was also in the presence of the great (and Oscar winning) director Oliver Stone. If I had to use only one word to sum up these stars at this point in the day, here's what they'd be...James Cromwell (tall!), Richard Dreyfuss (short!!) and Oliver Stone (brilliant!!!)

I was also extremely amazed at the attention to detail they used to ensure the scene was portrayed as historically accurate as possible. There was a lady on set that appeared to be some type of consultant and given her massive knowledge base, I'm pretty sure she was, at one time or another, a frequent visitor of the White House! This scene was shot from a few different angles and while I doubt I'll be seen, it was a honor to be included in it. Not to mention that at one point when Mr. Stone was walking by I looked up (I was sitting down at the time) and smiled at him (speaking to any of the principal actors & the director is a "no no") and was surprised when he winked back in return. At that point it didn't matter that I may not be seen because really, isn't being winked at by a man such as himself even a bigger honor? I think so!

While it may seem that things were moving along pretty fast given my short commentary, the above activities (check-in, wardrobe, hair, make-up, blocking the scene, rehearsing the scene, shooting the scene, setting up to shoot from a different angle, shooting from different angles, and the waiting that comes with all of this) took about six hours. All the while individuals from wardrobe, hair & makeup followed us and ensured we were in tip-top shape for shooting. Hair was straightened, facial shine eliminated, and lint was repeatedly removed so nothing could get in the way of a good shot. Again, the attention to detail was incredible.

By now another group of extras (probably about 8) arrived for their call time and my group figured our day was over (we arrived at 1, the second set arrived at 6). The next group of extras was painstakingly picked for their resemblance to a picture taken of Laura Bush during one of President Bush's speeches. However, there was a need for a few more bodies to be in the background and, once again, I was back on set! Before I knew it my jacket was stripped off, the pearl necklace I had on in the previous scene was taken and my conservative bob was quickly replaced by a low pony tail. Once a few of us had our makeup touched up we were off and shooting. This time the principal actor in the scene was Elizabeth Banks (Laura Bush) and my one word descriptor of her is "adorable!"

Once this scene was wrapped it was time to eat dinner. Given that it was 9 o'clock by this time a few of us were rather hungry and looking forward to enjoying the lovely spread the catering team put out for us. As always, everything was delicious but my favorite part of the meal was the grilled lamb and it's accompanying sauce and a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie (one of the best I've ever had!) By this time I really figured our day was over but quickly changed my mind when we were shuffled through hair and make-up again. The next thing I know we're on another set and I can tell by the stand-in that we'll soon be in the presence of Josh Brolin. Since it was 10 p.m. I'd given up all hopes of actually seeing him in person. Needless to say, I was thrilled!

In this scene Josh Brolin (President George W. Bush) was giving a speech and they needed four people to sit in front of him at the podium. They were, once again, trying their best to match a photo and I was stunned when I was one of the four picked! I was afraid to get my hopes up since I know how quickly the "vision" can change and extras traded out. I held my breath for the next 30 or so minutes as they changed me into a different top and jacket and I waited as they set up the scene. Both the guy next to me and I were terrified that we'd be yanked for someone else. So we sat there and held our breath as people gathered around a laptop set up directly in front of us watching an actual tape of President Bush delivering the same speech Josh Brolin would shortly do. When I say people I mean Richard Dreyfuss and Oliver Stone. Seriously, Richard Dreyfuss was directly in front of us and Oliver Stone was literally standing right next to me!! Before we knew it Josh Brolin was rehearsing behind us and I was astounded at how much he sounded like President Bush! Given that, my one word description of Josh Brolin is "surprising."

This scene was shot with a few different camera angles and while I'm extremely hopeful that you'll be able to see me, I'm just honored to have been a part of that scene. At one point Oliver Stone actually walked up to the four of us at the table and said "great job!" After shooting a few wide angle shots they had us move to the side so they could shoot some close-ups of Josh Brolin, Richard Dreyfuss and the extra playing the Secretary of State. While I thought Josh Brolin did an outstanding job giving the speech in the shots that included us, being able to stand to the side and watch him took his performance to another level. Not only did he have President Bush's speech pattern down pat but he also had his mannerisms and looked VERY much like him (especially from our view of his profile). He truly did a FANTASTIC job and I'm now very much looking forward to seeing how it turns out on camera.

By this time it was close to midnight and the scene had wrapped. As Josh Brolin made his way off stage he walked by us (me and two of the other extras) and I knew I needed to say something to him. One of the other extras congratulated him and as he walked by me I said, "That was fantastic!" He then looked at us and said a very sincere "thank you" and as he said that he touched my arm! I realize I'm sounding every bit like a school girl relishing in the fact that he touched my arm when he said "thank you" but come on this is an actor who was a part of the film that recently won an Oscar for Best Picture (No Country for Old Men) and one who's dad I had a little bit of a crush on back in the day!

Hard to believe that my day's "work" included wardrobe, hair, make-up, a scene with James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss & Jeffrey Wright, a scene with Elizabeth Banks, a scene with Josh Brolin, and the presence of the great Oliver Stone! To top that off I had yummy food and worked with some great extras & production crew (the nicest bunch I've met!) And on top of that I was winked at & had our worked commented on by Oliver Stone and "spoke" with and had my arm touched by Josh Brolin! It may have been an exhausting day but sooooooo worth it! It was truly a once in a lifetime experience and while the bug for doing more extra work may have bitten, there's no way I could duplicate the sheer incredibleness of my day.