Film Extra - Who Me?
So there I was, flicking idly through the Folkestone Herald,
when a small article jumped out at me. A film is being made in Folkestone it
said. Starring Michael Caine it said. Even better - local people were wanted to
be “Supporting Artists” – that’s Extras to you and me. Just phone this number it
said. So I did.
A rather brusque representative of a casting agency demanded photographic
evidence via e-mail of my suitability to breathe the same air as Sir Michael,
and also rather cruelly, my measurements. As I don’t even own a tape measure, a
quick visit to the shop was needed – and the resulting measurements confirmed my
suspicions that surely both sides of the tape showed centimetres? My hips can’t
possibly be that in inches….
A mere two weeks later on a chilly Monday morning I found myself in the
salubrious surroundings of the Grand Hotel Burstin awaiting wardrobe and makeup.
One of the film crew was insistent that we get breakfast – this being served
from the big catering trucks parked up in the port area. We were probably asked
every three minutes whether we’d all had breakfast – perhaps the film industry
is one of the only industries left where the belly of the workforce takes
priority over the working day.
Now I had been told that the film was set in the 1980’s, so I suppose I should
have known what to expect. Having sniggered at some of the unfortunates
returning from “Wardrobe” – ie a hanging rail behind a large screen – I was
nevertheless taken aback by the electric blue Princess Diana circa 1982 style
coat (complete with outrageous padded shoulders) and horribly pointed flat black
shoes I was given. This was nothing compared to “Makeup” (a badly lit mirror on
a table heaving with hair and face products). After only 5 minutes in front of
the demon back comber, I looked suspiciously like the singer out of A Flock of
Seagulls (and if you can remember him then you’re at least as old as I am!) This
combined with unflattering red lipstick and some extremely authentic 80’s
jewellery – think electric blue plastic hearts as earrings – and I was ready for
my close up.
If you’ve ever watched the Ricky Gervais series on TV, well I’m delighted to
report that it is totally, 100% accurate. My fellow Extras – sorry – Supporting
Artists were a fascinating bunch, mainly comprising old hands from as far a
field as West London, Bournemouth and Surrey. In fact I only found 2 other
locals – one from Folkestone and one from Deal – and the man from Deal was the
only other first timer apart from me.
When we were all decked out in our 80’s gear and ready to go,
a man dashed into the room, long grey hair flapping behind him in a pony tail,
his bulky sheepskin jacket wrapped tightly around him. He approached the
Assistant Director (or A.D. as we were to call her) and asked when we were
leaving. She glanced at her list and said “About now – you’ve already been to
wardrobe haven’t you, so we can leave now”. To which he replied “No I haven’t”
and stalked off to get changed amid much laughter and a red faced A.D.
Our scenes were shot at Folkestone Central Station. Within minutes of our
arrival, an impressive looking car drew up and out stepped Sir Michael himself,
looking older and taller than I had expected. As I wasn’t in the outdoor scenes,
I just hung out with my fellow Supporting Artists and listened to some of their
stories. I was amazed to discover that Michael Caine has a “stand-in” – someone
who is around the same height and build, and who does the laborious stuff like
standing still while the cameras and lighting are set up, while the man himself
relaxes until it’s all in place and ready to shoot.
Unfortunately my very distinctive blue coat meant that I could only be used in
the railway station scene – but I did find myself just 3 feet away from Michael
as he studied a railway map and I threw myself into a performance worthy of Dame
Helen Mirren as I mimed deep and animated conversation with a fellow bystander.
Three takes and we were ready to “check the gate” – no, I don’t know what it
means either. Lots of time was spent hanging around, cursing the thin soles of
my nasty pointed shoes as my feet became numb from the cold, and batting
unsuspecting members of the public aside with my shoulder pads if they got too
close.
My final moment of fame was hurrying down the walkway from the platform as
Michael and his co-star came running up towards me. I managed to crash into the
co-star (a young boy) during the first take, but another couple and we were done
– shooting to schedule and ready for lunch back at the port.
As you would expect, lunch was great – pretty much all tastes were catered for
and I for one made the most of a free scoff. Ten of the Supporting Artists had
been selected for the afternoon’s filming – alas, I wasn’t one of them; I blame
the blue coat. However, my day did end on a high note, when overhearing 2 macho
young men from the crew discussing how rubbish Folkestone is, and how there’s
nothing to do in the evening, what with all the pubs being “full of drunks” and
fights in the street etc, etc. With my nicest smile (could’ve been scary with
all that red lipstick) I sweetly suggested that if they wanted to see the best
of Folkestone, they might like to take a trip up to the hottest place in town on
a Monday evening – the Skuba Bar. That’s show business for you!
This Go Folkestone member wishes to remain anonymous in order to avoid the
pressures and pitfalls associated with celebrity.
“Is there anybody there?” starring Michael Caine is due to complete filming in
December.
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter December 2007
