So, while I've been in between regular jobs the last week since I lost the last one, I decided to take up some low-key acting work as an extra for a made-for-TV film being partly filmed here in Ottawa. It's entitled "Metal Tornado", and obviously (given the title of this thread) stars Lou Diamond Phillips.
Anyway, yesterday started at 6:30 in the morning (I was up at 4:00 as I had to bus it there) over at the local college here in town. Coincidentally, it's the same college I attended the two-year Theatre Arts program at, lol.
After I made my way over to the BG (or Background) Holding area -- which was simply one of the rooms in one of many buildings on the campus -- I and the rest of the extras sat around and talked until we called on to do our part. I was listed as a "patient" for a hospital scene in the film.
Myself and another extra, who was listed as "doctor/hospital staff", followed the extras co-ordinator to the filming area and took our starting positions. Our role was to walk down the hall together for a bit following behind a stretcher, with her giving me some silent medical advice and then sending me on my way as she went down another hallway. I then continued on down the same hall, a little behind the stretcher.
And I got to pass right in front of him as he's talking to a police officer.
We did about ten takes of that scene, and then finally we were told to go back to the holding area and wait until we were needed again. While waiting there, lunch was brought in, and the tech staff, then actors, got in line for something to eat. Then it was our turn.
As I was waiting at the back of the line, I saw sitting at a table at the other end of the room. He finished his meal, got up, and when he came out he stopped nearby and introduced himself to some of the extras, shaking hands and what not.
I got the chance to introduce myself, mentioning how much of an honour it was to meet him in person as I'd seen a lot of his work, and really enjoyed the character he was playing on SG:U. We even talked about how filming was going with the show before someone asked him for a photo, and he said yes!
So, me and another four of the extras got to stand with him in it. I was right next to him with my arm around his shoulder.
The good thing is I got paid for my time there (as I'm not part of an actors' union I was paid a little less, but it was still good), but even if I hadn't, meeting and getting to chat with him would've been worth working on set as an extra that day.
All in all, I had a great time, and came away from it with a great experience. Just wanted to share my first celebrity encounter with my friends here
EDIT: I don't when the film's supposed to be finished (according to the casting agency I was working through, local filming is going until the end of this month), but from what the producer told me it's already slotted to be picked up by the Sci-fi Channel down in the US, as well as The Movie Network (TMN) and Rogers On Demand up here. If you end up watching it, you may catch a glimpse of me in there.
Anyway, yesterday started at 6:30 in the morning (I was up at 4:00 as I had to bus it there) over at the local college here in town. Coincidentally, it's the same college I attended the two-year Theatre Arts program at, lol.
After I made my way over to the BG (or Background) Holding area -- which was simply one of the rooms in one of many buildings on the campus -- I and the rest of the extras sat around and talked until we called on to do our part. I was listed as a "patient" for a hospital scene in the film.
Myself and another extra, who was listed as "doctor/hospital staff", followed the extras co-ordinator to the filming area and took our starting positions. Our role was to walk down the hall together for a bit following behind a stretcher, with her giving me some silent medical advice and then sending me on my way as she went down another hallway. I then continued on down the same hall, a little behind the stretcher.
And I got to pass right in front of him as he's talking to a police officer.
We did about ten takes of that scene, and then finally we were told to go back to the holding area and wait until we were needed again. While waiting there, lunch was brought in, and the tech staff, then actors, got in line for something to eat. Then it was our turn.
As I was waiting at the back of the line, I saw sitting at a table at the other end of the room. He finished his meal, got up, and when he came out he stopped nearby and introduced himself to some of the extras, shaking hands and what not.
I got the chance to introduce myself, mentioning how much of an honour it was to meet him in person as I'd seen a lot of his work, and really enjoyed the character he was playing on SG:U. We even talked about how filming was going with the show before someone asked him for a photo, and he said yes!
So, me and another four of the extras got to stand with him in it. I was right next to him with my arm around his shoulder.
The good thing is I got paid for my time there (as I'm not part of an actors' union I was paid a little less, but it was still good), but even if I hadn't, meeting and getting to chat with him would've been worth working on set as an extra that day.
All in all, I had a great time, and came away from it with a great experience. Just wanted to share my first celebrity encounter with my friends here
EDIT: I don't when the film's supposed to be finished (according to the casting agency I was working through, local filming is going until the end of this month), but from what the producer told me it's already slotted to be picked up by the Sci-fi Channel down in the US, as well as The Movie Network (TMN) and Rogers On Demand up here. If you end up watching it, you may catch a glimpse of me in there.
