Life as a movie production extra (condensed version)

I figured it would be a good idea to post a little bit about my experience on the set of 'Christmas in Wonderland'. But since it was so long ago, I figured there was less interest in the whole thing and more laziness on my part. So here's a condensed version of what happened in point form:

- Got there for the 5:30 AM call time, and sat in a line of probably about 100-150 people waiting to get checked into the extras holding room (stationed in the previous Dinotopia). On our way in, there's a guy from the movie crew standing next to the entrance to the place encouraging people and thanking them for being there. He would tell people such things as "Thanks for being here" "You are awesome!" "You guys are warriors" "Have fun out there". But one thing that stuck out throughout the whole day was that he kept on repeating the same quote over and over again. "Hey I heard this great quote today, 'Negative thoughts aren't from us, they're just out there.' You guys are awesome!" It kinda lost it's effect over time as he said that to almost everyone in line.

- Got checked in, signed a release for any photos/movies with my image in it, and found a table to settle down in. Then they slowly got everyone to head to the wardrobe change room place so that they could look over and approve of a wardrobe for each of the extras to wear. Me, I was told to bring dark pants and that was it, but I decided to bring 3 different wardrobes anyway just in case. While lining up to the wardrobe place, they made a big call to see if anyone was wearing dark pants and could be a 'park attendant'. Of course, I had my dark dress pants on, and the furthest thing from my mind was to volunteer for park attendant and sit in the parking lot to direct cars, so I kept quiet.

- Finally get to the front of the wardrobe line, and the woman in charge notices I have the dark pants on. She asks me if I don't mind being a park attendant, and I reluctantly accept. She gives me a WEM uniform top to put on. After I put it on, I ask her to look over the rest of my wardrobe to see what I should wear for the shoot. She simply says "This IS your wardrobe.." Then I FINALLY clue into the fact that I'll be playing an amusement park attendant in Galaxyland, not a parking traffic coordinator in the parking lot. So that was cool..

- Wait around, meet some cool new people, and then they finally call everyone to Galaxyland where they have the movie set all up and everything at 7:30 AM. The park attendants get bunched into a group of people, and I notice that I see one of the pastors from another church in the group (Pastor Dean Kupjerweit). So I say hi to him, and he pretends like he knows me and says hi back. We become stationed in a group near the first movie crew guy near the door. He breaks the ice with me with the comment:

"Hey I like your shoes".
Umm thanks..
"Where'd you get them from?"
Oh I got them from Athlete's World (I see that he's obviously not paying attention or following anything of what I'm saying)
"Hey I heard this great quote today, 'Negative thoughts aren't from us, they're just out there..' "
(I'm thinking, you sneaky bastard, you just wanted to say that quote again, you don't care about my shoes... That's the fricken 10th time I've heard you say that)

- Anyway, we finally get into Galaxyland, and each extra is assigned to a place. I'm grouped with the pastor that I know, and another kid that I also met. Thankfully we got prime positions for being in the background. If any of you are familiar with Galaxyland, we were kinda in between where the Bumpercars were and where the kids obstacle course place is. We were put along the ramp, where we are supposed to redirect traffic of people.

Anyhow, this blog is turning way longer than I want it too. For the sake of avoiding boredom, I'll make it short and sweet:

- I saw Chris Kattan. He walked passed me, and I had to walk behind him in a scene. So that was cool. Also at the movie shoot, I met another person who directs independent films, and we're thinking of working on another project together in June. Also this annoying 18 yr old at most was hassling me. I didn't have my WEM uniform tucked in, and this girl was an actual person who worked at Galaxyland. She sees me and says, "Tuck in your shirt please!" I'm thinking, what the hell? You don't work for the movie crew, who do you think you are? Shortly after she tells me to tuck in my shirt, I hear her say to her friend "Don't make my company look bad.." Honestly, I was ready to snap. That was the most retarded thing I had heard all month! Some 18 yr old schmuck with a deadend job is trying to order me around and tell me what to do at MY job. Also she's concerned to make sure we don't mess up the high and mighty brand name of West Edmonton Mall Galaxyland... Seriously, I've never wanted to punch a girl in the face more than I wanted to punch her. Then I would have followed it up with a knee to the ovaries...

But yes, that's my experience. I'm sick of typing, so I'll end here.