I got to be an extra on the set of [show name redacted]. I was booked as a “Midwestern tourist.” Apparently, I have a strong Midwest vibe. That’s what the makeup lady told me. Of course, the costumer put me in the dullest possible midwestern clothes. A denim dress and a pink sweater? Come on.
There were 95 extras in this scene, and we shot it for 8 full hours, walking back and forth on Rodeo Drive.
It wasn’t hard to play a tourist. I’d never been to Rodeo Drive before. (I did not see any celebs shopping, but I did visit the restroom and lobby of the famed Beverly Hills Hilton — where the other Julia Roberts holed up in Pretty Woman.)
I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio, so I can’t be too surprised. But I haven’t lived there since 1972…Is your early vibe your everlasting vibe? Like most Midwesterners, I want that New York vibe (lived there over 20 years) or the LA vibe (lived here 10 years.) But, no, I’m apple-cheeked and too friendly looking.
On the other hand, who am I to argue? Usually, when you’re an extra, you sit in a holding room much of the day. They come get you for various scenes, and then you go back to the room. You cannot bring any electronics larger than a phone, bec it will likely get stolen. (Lots of starving actors in there.) So, I had the bright idea to bring my knitting.
Midwestern much?
Meanwhile, I lost one needle, so I had nothing to do. I asked production, wardrobe, makeup — no one found my missing knitting needle. I’m pretty sure if they’d seen one, they’d have noticed. And I’m pretty sure I was the only person to lose a knitting needle that day.
Gone forever.
Leave a Reply