An Extra's Experience on Tour of Duty

I just caught an episode, and I thought I should share my experience as an extra. Wow, I can't believe how long ago this was.

I lived in Hawaii at the time; about 20 years old. I worked in a store at a hotel where the actors of the show were housed, so I would see them around. The casting department had there office in one of the hotel's hall spaces. One day, I saw a sign directing people to casting of Tour of Duty, so I decided to go in asking about extra work. Seemed easy enough. The one issue I had was since not owning a car to get to the location. They were nice enough to get me on the transport van from the hotel. This van was basically for the talent and executive production as it turns out.

Two of the actors I remember on the van were Knox and Bruskotter. Both were gracious in introducing themselves and shaking my hand. Probably not realizing I was a lowly extra, but I'll give them credit since some of the others in the production were somewhat rude. Some actors were friendly while others would look right through you. Later on the assistant director.

So the episode is S01E12. It's the reporter episode with guest actress Talia Balsam.

On set, they wanted to give me a haircut to fit the era, which was fine. I was dressed in a soldiers uniform and given a rifle.

What I remember most was a lot of waiting around doing nothing for hours. So, a lot of standing around at craft services' snack table. Some scenes I recall being in were: 1- background walking during a map briefing with the reporter, 2- again background walking during the shaving scene, 3- standing guard, 4- standing guard again during the funeral scene, I'm the one alone standing nearest the flag, 5- the one scene that freaked me out was having to take my shirt off for a shower scene. I was in the background while a massive flame thrower was being tested, it was very hot, even at a distance (I do not think this scene made the cut).

During lunch I recall one of the main actors (which I won't name), declaring, "I hate actress!". I'm not sure if this was a general statement about every actress, or if he had a beef with Talia Balsam. She was the only woman acting in this episode that I recall.

I spent two days as an extra. The assistant director came across as a loud mouth jerk during those two days. At the end of the second day, in the van back to the hotel, the AD says to me, "Our vans are filling up. We can't be giving you rides." Never heard back with casting again. The AD blackballed me. I was such quiet, respectful kid. Why he decide pick me out is unknown; other than he was just a Hollywood-type stereotypical jerk. The vans went back-and-forth all day... so.

Anyway, even though it was mostly boring time-killer, I'm glad I got to experience to dress-up as a soldier and see the production process of a TV show. I would see the actors and guest stars all the time while working at the hotel. There was an episode they filmed at the hotel; I think the soldiers were to be on leave in Hawaii.

I was excited to look for myself when the episode first aired. However, the reception was terrible on my little TV, so I never saw it until years later on re-run.