Janet,

Thank you for taking the time out to tell us about your experience as a movie extra on the feature film – Mona Lisa Smile – starring Julia Roberts.

Before we get into the exciting details, can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am currently an MFA-Acting graduate student at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. I have many stage credits in semi-professional and Equity plays, including Amanda in “The Glass Menagerie”, Bella in “Lost in Yonkers”, and Yente in “Fiddler on the Roof.”

What sparked your interest to work in the entertainment industry?

I’ve always been interested in acting since I was little. I’m not so interested in being a star as I am in being an artist who expresses emotion through performance.

Why did you decide to become a movie extra?

I love stage work, but movies and commercials pay better. I saw extra work as a way to get some experience in front of the camera. On-camera is a fun challenge, and I am always looking for opportunities to do film work (film school work, commercials, extra work).

How do you go about finding jobs? What methods work best for you?

When I lived in Boston, I sent my headshots and resumes to all the area casting directors. I also took classes offered by the casting directors to get some face time in front of them. In addition, I sent out postcards with updates on the stage and commercial work I got. Eventually, a casting director called me for extra work and I dropped my day job for a few days to take the movie work.

Did it take you long to land your first paying job?

From the first time I sent out headshots and resumes to casting directors to the time I got extra work was about a year and a half.

Can you tell us about one of your first jobs?

Project Title: Mona Lisa Smile

Type of Project: Feature film with Julia Roberts

Role: Faculty Member

Earnings: $75 a day for Non-SAG extras. I was upgraded to SAG pay for one day when I was place in a featured (close up) position. For two days of non-SAG and one day of SAG pay, I ended up making $640 for the 3 days.

How did you hear about this project?

Through the casting director for the production company. I was in his files when I lived in Boston. His office called me looking for “older” (over 35) people to be faculty members at Wellesley College for three days of shooting.

What was your experience like on set? Can you give a breakdown or outline of what happened before, during and after working on the set? Any interesting stories you wish to tell?

About two weeks before the shoot date, all the extras had to go the Wellesley Armory for costume fittings. The Armory was filled with clothing from the 1950s. I was outfitted with everything from undergarments to a gray suit, to cap and gown and authentically painful high heel shoes.

The shoot took place on the campus of Wellesley College, west of Boston. We extras had to arrive at the Wellesley Armory at 4 or 5 am to catch a bus to the College. All extras were required to arrive with hair wrapped in sponge rollers to make tight curls. We got into costume and then lined up for makeup and hair. That took at least two-four hours because there were so many extras.

Then we waited in an auditorium for four – eight hours. However, when we got on the set, were placed, and given action to do, it was really a thrill. I got a live look at Julia Roberts! On my third day, I waited until 4 pm before faculty were used. I was randomly placed in a shot where I ended up standing next to Julia Roberts. The hair and makeup people were all over me then. I got redone and touched up – I felt like a princess. Julia didn’t say a lot but she did talk to us (about ten extras). The faculty members were supposed to be walking into the chapel. Julia was right behind me. We spent about five hours on a few shots. The director set up the shot, walked the doubles through it, then brought out the leads to walk through and shoot the scene.

Shots of the same entrance were done several different ways so that most of the time the extras spent standing and waiting. After five hours, we were through shooting. The director invited us all to eat gourmet pizza with the crew before returning our costumes and boarding the bus back to the Armory.

Most of the time, it was not particularly glamorous. It was very hot in the Chapel where the shoot took place. It was a very warm Indian summer day in October, and the heat of the lights made the Chapel very hot. The shoes were too small for me and extremely painful to walk in. I ended up with a slight burn on my forehead from the hair stylist’s curling iron. Ouch! It was a very eventful few days. Waiting is not that easy either. However, I tend to forget the unglamorous side of extra work when I see myself in the movie.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely. It was exciting to do a feature film and actually get placed in a shot. That made it worth all the waiting.

What are your plans for the future? Are you working on anything now?

I am finishing up my MFA degree in Acting at University of Central Florida, and then plan to continue acting, directing, and teaching. I am currently performing the role of Yente in “Fiddler on the Roof” at the University of Central Florida.

If you had to offer one piece of advice to somebody considering becoming a movie extra, what would you say? If you had to start over, would you do anything differently?

Extra work requires a lot of patience. Even though you have to be on the set early in the morning, you may not be used until late in the afternoon. Bring a book. Be prepared to wait. Bring music to listen to. Think amusing thoughts. Accept that waiting is part of what you are paid to do. When the person in charge of extras suddenly appears and asks for ten people, jump up and say, “Me.”

Interview Date: October 2006