This past week I have been involved in the filming of the LDS New Testament Films and there have been but two results: sleep deprivation and stress. Of course when I put it that way then you may find yourself swayed in the wrong direction, for I thoroughly enjoyed both shoots. The first shoot I was in was "Peter's Denial of Christ" in which I was a stand-in. Yeah...I didn't know what stand-ins were until that bitter cold night where I literally stood in the place where the soon-to-be-famous people had been standing previously. So what use is that to a director? I will tell you. It helps them position the camera, lighting, and any other pesky nuances without the actors present. It was cool being part of the crew, although, I didn't know I was part of the crew until today, when I was an extra.
The term extra, I have discovered, is rarely used. They, all the film folk that is, prefer to call us: background. If I didn't have issues feeling like I didn't stand out before, I most certainly do now. As soon as the title of "background" got plastered on me with a wet sponge soaked in dirt I was no longer part of the crew. Sob story, I know. Anyway, I know what you are thinking. But what about the shoes? And the travel?
So here goes...Place: Middle-of-Nowhere-Goshen, UT
Time: varied (6pm-4am as a worthy part of "THE CREW" and 7am-6pm as "BACKGROUND")
Wardrobe (most importantly, shoes): only the most authentic of Hebrew-/Roman-esque sandals
Now here are the things I have made a point not to forget:
(1) It's beyond freezing in Goshen in the middle of the night.
(2) Guys with dark hair and light eyes are very attractive (curse the fact that they know this and act like you-know-whats).
(3) Once you become "one of them" there's no going back.
(4) A full meal is good at any time of day.
(5) I'm not as brown as I thought.
(6) Standing for four hours at a time is hard.
I'm sure I've forgotten to add to the list but...this will have to do for now.
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