Background/Film Work at The Met, New York City

Wow -- really tired this week, but I'm sleeping very well. It may have something to do with the 14 hour day last Sunday, 09 . 25 . 2005, 7AM - 10PM. A long day in the beautiful Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center . . .

So why do this oft-times grueling background work? Well, for the most part, for some crazy reason I don't fully understand, I enjoy it. But I was thinking specifically about this -- why do I like it? Why do it?

1. it's definitely something I would not want to do every day, esp. as a non-union actor (i.e., non-SAG). Once or twice a month is plenty, and only if I'm not doing anything else that's a higher priority (i.e., an important audition, rehearsal, or a performance or a class)
2. what I get most excited about is simply watching professional actors working. Being on set AND being close to the action is a rare treat and a real education. Last Sunday's shoot must of have been a climatic moment in the film. 10 hours and about as many takes focused on one single 5 minute scene for the lead actress -- a highly emotional scene, & each time, she nailed it, each time, breaking down, crying, tears, heart breakingly real every time. Whatever they pay these stars, make no mistake -- they earn every cent. It's like paying these major league baseball players to maintain their high ERAs.
3. what's equally great are upgrades. Doesn't happen too often, but when it does, it doesn't just make my day, it makes my 3 to 6 months! I don't really care if I'm passively on camera or not -- being close to the action, and reacting in a way that's in line with what's going on, that's my "job" as background, not sticking out one way or another. I'm really there to watch and absorb. However, if I'm given something specific to do, that's another matter, and now I WILL stick out for a few seconds or more. That's a great deal of pure fun. I haven't yet seen any of my upgraded background work, but I think/hope it would be as much fun to see myself on TV or on a movie screen some time, but I don't really even have a strong desire to see that other than for educational purposes (i.e., did I look natural or self-conscious?) and that type of stuff can be the start -- just the start -- of a professional "reel" depending on how serious the upgrade was.
4. there are some very experience actors there, and I can learn a lot by listening and asking questions (e.g., I never knew one could so easily freelance for NYC agents!)

So that's really my agenda, what I really love -- I guess I'm such an immatator, and I'm always finding role models, living templates of how to be, and I really try to absorb everything on set, esp. how these professional actors handle themselves and approach their work. Sunday I just happened to be witness to an exceptional level of performance, off the chart compared to anything I've personally seen.

I think many people doing background work, esp. for the first time, think it's glamorous (it is kind of, sometimes) and tons of fun, and they don't realize how much work it is: a lot of hurry up and wait. A lot of sitting around. On set you need to be quiet and focus while having nothing to do, really, for most of the time. And if you're noisy or not paying attention, the PA's can give you a rough time. They have a tough job and baby sitting and managing background "Divas" is the last thing they need, and they won't put up with it because it's their job to maintain order, focus and quiet on the set. Many people are there, really, to be on camera -- which is exciting -- but sometimes, you're just part of the background, indistinguishable and unrecognizable.

The worse are the "Divas" who are there to take every opportunity to be on camera (e.g., not sitting or standing where the PA's direct them but instead trying to get closer to the camera -- that definitely pisses the PA's off and can get one summarily ejected from the set, or at least that's the threat), and the instant they're in holding, they do nothing but complain & bitch about how they're treated, and generally act like all this is beneath them. What it comes down to is someone behaving quite unprofessionally in a highly professional situation.

When I identify a "Diva," I couldn't get away from them any faster then if they were to come into the room with bombs strapped around their waist.

It is tough, and there is a lot, I suppose, to complain about, but still . . . I do always feel lucky and grateful to be there -- but not everyday.