In 2005, a film called The Skeptic filmed a scene at my school in Schenectady and I became an extra for a day. It was a long day filled with standing up and sitting down, but it was exciting to be involved in a movie. Even though I was far in the background, out of focus and facing away from the camera for less than half a second in the final cut of the film, I was proud that I was involved. For years since, I’ve searched the internet for further opportunities to become a movie extra. Last summer, my dreams were answered through Craigslist! There was an ad asking for movie extras, and fortunately for me (but unfortunately for the filmmakers), I was the only extra to show up. The movie is an independent film called Virgin Alexander, with a budget of around $150,000. That day I was in two scenes, one where I was sitting down as the actors walked past me, and one where I was in the distance walking away as the actors were exiting a dump truck. Soon, I came back to be a production assistant, where I basically stood around until anyone asked me to do something (usually, the production coordinator). I did everything from block traffic, to transporting a tuba around Saratoga Springs, to removing the orange cap from a toy gun.
I was in for a surprise that day. I was told by one of the directors to sit down, so I thought I was going to be an extra again. I noticed there was a camera pointing directly at me, so I was excited that I’d actually be noticeable in this scene. I won’t spoil the scene for all of my fans out there, but let’s just say that I got a line, a close-up and a magical moment between Paige Howard and I. Oh, and I made it into the trailer too! Check me out at second 54!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVX0JmkmXP8?rel=0&w=560&h=349]
In recent months, the film has been traveling around the country, from New Jersey to DC, and selling out in New York City. Audiences and critics have been receiving it well, and it’s won multiple awards from the various festivals. The next showing is in Las Vegas, then I’ll finally be able to see it August 3, in Albany, New York to an audience of over 120 that has sold out in less than a week over a month in advance. I’ll be there early with my Virgin Alexander t-shirt and fan-base waiting to see myself on the silver screen!
