MovieChat Forums > Cougar Club (2007) Discussion > No Thought for the Extras in This

No Thought for the Extras in This

posted 18 years ago by screechinfo
35 replies | jump to latest

I was hired as an extra on this debacle. I usually have wonderful times on set despite the long hours and different personalities one can find.

However, this was filmed outdoors on the hottest day of the year - a graduation scene. No one, including the casting director, had been told that it would involve lots of sunshine and heat and no shade, except for intermittent breaks. Craft services was late and we were told that "we can't afford water for everybody." I seriously doubt that a film that can afford Faye Dunaway wouldn't have enough water, unless Ms. Dunaway is slumming (?). There were several older people who were getting very ill, and others, including myself, who would never have accepted the work had we known it would be many hours in the sun, due to medication we take. The "medic" (a kid with a first aid kit) gave us a "ration of s**t", and at that point we knew we were on our own. This was dangerous for the crew as well and the scene should have been filmed indoors - graduations do happen inside, which was not on the Plan B list by the producers, et al.

After about 5 hours of inconsiderate treatment by the powers that be, sunburn and dehydration, several of us left and were threatened that we would not be paid if we left. However, for what we were getting, "they could insert it in a specific place" was my final thought as oh-so-gratefully I drove away in my air-conditioned car.

Needless to say, we got paid and I have no regrets for walking. We may have been mere "extras" but no one deserved that kind of treatment.

Don't be afraid to walk off a set if you feel you're in a dangerous situation. If you're SAG, call your agent and then call SAG. People died during this past heat wave and it's no laughing matter. I did call SAG to let someone know (I am not SAG, but a member of the other unions) and they said not one SAG member called in to complain. The attitude was, basically, "Thanks but there's nothing we can do"? Brother, was that a shocker.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[–] Iwishyouwell 18 years ago

Yeah, basically Non-SAG extras are thought of as little more than cattle. Good for you, and the others, for walking out. Too many extras, and actors, stick around and allow themselves to be degraded, used, and ultimately underpaid for their services. It can be a cruel business, to say the least.

[–] CappieGuy 18 years ago

I was in the grad scene too wearing BLACK!! robe. That even makes it worse. So I was in the building next to the set sitting on the floor all day fanning and this one guy said I shouldnt be here at all. luckily another crew member defended for me. it was so horrible. I so wanted to enjoy this job as I always do with other jobs. i got paid anyway.

[–] davidtran 18 years ago

Yeah, I was there too. What the heck was up with that one? I was there the second day. The extras casting director made no mention to me about the exterior shot either. Luckily, I had an umbrella with me to ward of the Pasadena heat. I was resourceful enough to negotiate to switch into a suit I brought and work in another later scene instead of them putting me on concrete stadium steps in a black shirt at high noon.

And the medic that day for me was a lady and she was nasty too. I explained that I was feeling dizzy from what seemed like the start of heat exhaustion. And I was too. I wasn't making it up. I had to threaten her job by letting her know that if I passed out due to this, she would definitely be responsible, and said it loud enough for the production assistant (as well as anybody close enough) to hear, so that she got the point.

She continued to be nasty: Unless you are showing symptoms or are under any existing condition, I cannot give my aid to you, or something to that effect. WTF? She then said she would have to send me home without pay. Like she actually has the power to do that. She doesn't.

She was being a predator and trying to scare me into staying. Well, it was like how some sleazy porn producers trap young girls into doing porn because they need the money and are in such a terrible position that they'd have to sell themselves to make it. I wasn't that desperate or ignorant. I may look young, but I'm experienced, and I'm knowledged. Knowledge is power. And when you know your rights, you can't be taken advantage of. That applies to all of life, not just background actors/extras.

Thank you to the Assistant Directors and anyone under the shaded tent at the "video village" monitors who released me from possibly a trip to the hospital. Getting to speak to the production assistant saved me, and had I not stood up for myself by getting up, making a stand, and standing up for myself, who knows what sort of damage I could have done to myself.

Even later after going back to base camp (where the wardrobe trailer was) to get reapproved in a suit, and returning, the lady medic questioned me with a smirk, "Going home?"

It sure felt good to smirk back: "NOPE!!!" Sure showed her. Putting bad people in their place and letting them know that you know they're up to no good sure changes their attitude towards you. Then they become the meek that once thought you were. And I bet she respected me more too.

The question is, my fellow co-workers, are you willing to speak up for your civil rights, or will you back down under pressure?

I intend to make the world a far better place.

[–] CappieGuy 18 years ago

Like she expects you to faint and get nauseous and throw up before she would help you?????????????? Ugh..thats not right.

I recently did a music video and it was inside and they said it was AC. It was in the beginning but then it got too hot inside and not only that they pointed the AC pipes away from us and we were just sitting there fanning and waiting for the shoots. I got too lightheaded after a while so I sat outside the rest of the time cooling off. I had a medic early enough who was very nice but later on I got nauseous and threw up 3 times. It was horrible. My friend had to drive me home.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] CappieGuy 18 years ago

True but I would never apply or work a job that is outside in heat all day. I have a condition. Some people can survive with no problems but I just can't in intense heat. My body just reacts that way. We just weren't informed beforehand.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] CappieGuy 18 years ago

Ok, I like to see you do it without even complaining. We were not being unreasonable, like we were a little hungry or we were just bored. It was the heat wave that had an impact on us. Suppose they ask you to be extras on the street and just walk up and down. Then you show up and they put you on the street. What they didn't tell you or inform you is that the sidewalk has nails all over and you have to walk barefoot.

I have done lots of extras jobs and I had no problems. It is just like working a regular job and the conditions are just unbearable that you just feel like quitting or leave.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] screechinfo 16 years ago

This was really the only time I walked off a set. The "Medic" that has been mentioned really was just a twit with a first aid kit. I can bet you she had NO CPR trailing, and with all those older actors on the set with medications to take, and after being told there "wasn't enough water to go around" - there was a mass exodus of extras.

The casting director was mortified because she hadn't been informed of the outside work. All we were told was it was a "graduation scene".

However, there is poetic justice. This piece of crap is on cable now, and I can say without a doubt, it blows a big one. Awful acting...just a terrible story.

And poor Faye Dunaway must have needed the check for this one really bad. Cougar? She's old enough to be Mother Time! But she looks great, though...

Thanks for the wonderful postings on thie subject.

[–] theiconlife469 15 years ago

haaaaaaa. you think you stood up to her thats a pussy move. wow you smirked at her. i was an extra on the same movie. i broke a stiff mix of vodka in a water bottle and was drinking at will in front of the entire production team. i asked a lady for a water and she said no cause i wasnt sag. i said cool go *beep* yourself, i then left after spending an hour and a half in the heat at this joke of a film and i still got paid in full for an entire day. party on pal. thats standing up for your civil rights. what you did was take it in the ass like every other coward in this world

[–] JackMeihoffer 18 years ago

Waaaahhh! While the rest of the world is out working,
I got paid to hang out on a movie set.

Waaaahhh! I stood around OUTDOORS in LOS ANGELES and it was hot.

Waaaahhh! The Hollywood bigwigs wouldn't give us water.

Waaaahhh! Waaaahhh! Waaaahhh! Where's my SAG card?

Gimme a break.

dictionary.com and spellcheck.com.
Don't post without it!

[–] davidtran 18 years ago

Yeaaa! While the rest of the world is getting fat at their jobs they hate for jobs that actually let them buy bread for their tables and keep their refridgerators stocked instead of just having condiments and old or stale food in them, I get to work for minimum wage or less and not really be able to afford my rent or food or bills or entertainment!

Yeaaa! While you got to sit on your butt in a climate controlled environment in a town where people are genuine, kind, caring, loving and not after your money, power, connections or physical self, and tangible posessions, I get to deal with an illusion that the rest of the world desires because they really have no idea what they're talking about of what Hollywood really is: a cold, cruel, heartless, place that will pass you by for the next dime a dozen piece they find and leave you dying, throwing up, and shortening your life from stress, degradation, and maltreatment.

Yeaaa! While you get to get up, walk around, and go to the water cooler to talk about nothing, I get to be restricted from talking and get yelled at constantly even if it was my coworkers or other crew members that were talking. And be restricted from getting up to hydrate myself to maintain my body. H20 is essential for life and beauty. Let's see you NOT drink liquids when you're thirsty and still look Hollywood good. Oh yeah, right, you're not.

Yeaaa! Yeaaa! Yeaaa! I get ignorant people who complain about their lives, but don't really know how to fix it and then come at me and try to tell me how to run my life when they really don't know the whole story, have a real clue on what's going on, and still think from a small glimpse of our war stories from set that it lets the outside world be able to criticize our inconvenience, suffering degradation, until we finally can be lucky enough to get our cards so SAG can finally look out for us. And yes thank you very much, I am SAG.

Do you remember what it's like to not be jaded, and follow your heart's desires?

Give you a break? Your break is granted, considering we really never get one.

[–] CappieGuy 18 years ago

Exactly, DTran!

I don't mind doing this job as long as the conditions are bearable. I tried so hard not to complain but wearing a black robe on a hot day just made me lightheaded. Other jobs I did were no problems.

Its just like working in a store where the temp inside is 105 degrees with no drinks in sight. Lets see you naysayers not flinch or ask for water.

[–] maralmatossian 15 years ago

I was in the wardrobe dept. and I do believe they provided a tent with ac...and the whole crew was outside in the heat...How else do you film an outside shot in LA? Stop whining.

[–] numberOfTheBiotch 18 years ago

"Yeaaa! While the rest of the world is getting fat at their jobs they hate for jobs that actually let them buy bread for their tables and keep their refridgerators stocked instead of just having condiments and old or stale food in them, I get to work for minimum wage or less and not really be able to afford my rent or food or bills or entertainment! "

Not to sound rude, but no one's forcing you to be an extra. It's something you've chosen to do. I think the first post you made describing the crappy working conditions was fine, just people bitching about a bad day on the job, something that everyone does. But this last post is a bit much. If "buying bread" is more a priority for you, then you should get another job. But you've chosen to follow your heart's desire, and while that's noble, don't bitch about a situation that you've put yourself in (e.g., working for minimum wage, eating old stale food). I imagine Hollywood is one of the most heartless places to work. But again, that's part of following your dream, isn't it? Hollywood is where they make movies, so you don't really have much choice. If the heartlessness bothers you that much, then leave.

My point is this: everyone goes through crappy jobs. Some people don't have a choice for those crappy jobs (e.g, people just trying to survive). Your crappy jobs are your choice, so some people aren't going to be open to hearing you complain about them.

[–] davidtran 18 years ago

Well, that wasn't exactly my point, but my story showed you exactly what I wanted you to see. I put up with all kinds of stuff on set. It's just the way it is. I wanted to show people who had a disillusion of living in Hollywood what things are really like.

And of course I'm not just an extra, I also audition whenever I can. I submit to castings that I see. And I try to do whatever I can to work towards my goals.

Being hungry really doesn't bother me much anymore. It doesn't really matter. Heartlessness makes your own heart harden. But it's all part of growing up and becoming who you'll eventually be.

The story you responded to was a sarcastic witty response to something that was supposed to offend me. Instead, it made me laugh and come up with a creative solution. To write a composition that would draw in the minds who read it, a more true image of the real Hollywood. Because I just don't want to keep seeing people come here with an unreal expectation of becoming famous within a few weeks. They're people who are the most popular or well liked in a community that are told just go to Hollywood, schmooze around, and they'll love you.

They then leave. It's the cold hard truth that I've accepted. I just want to share the knowledge and fight the disinformation put out by the have-nots who want but can't have.

If you don't like my stories, that's fine. I don't really mind. It's just that one needs to understand that none of us are ungrateful for what we have. We just know that so much more is given to the people at the top while the people at the bottom scavenge to survive.

No complaints here. Just stories that we like to share. It happens on sets all the time where we share stories. If you only could actually be in one of these conversations in real life, it would be so much clearer to everyone.

We all love what we do. And so many leave because they don't have the patience to wait out the storm. If you were in one such story telling circle, as often happens between scenes, it's a lot more casual and less serious than it seems here. You actually get to see smiles, body language and reactions of witty banter that you just can't show in a forum like this. Anyway, we're all working towards a goal. Going through trials and tribulations are just part of the ride. All I'm saying it that it can get bumpy like in anybody elses' life. And that these are the stories from the front lines.

I intend to make the world a far better place.
Peace, love and happiness to you all,
D

[–] studiogf 16 years ago

I'm a SAG actor, worked in this film. A bad day on a film doesn't sound like much to complain about to you, but unless you have worked background work,or in this business,( even if you are union ) there is no way you would understand what actors endure. Most shoots are 14 hr days. Many times you are carrying clothing, tote bags from crew parking to the production base camp, then shlepping everything to the set or shoot location. Many times women do this in heels, dresses, or whatever the scene calls for. 14 hours in high heels? I have very strong arm muscles as a result of carrying everything daily. Many times we begin at 5:30 am, wake up at 3am. We continue until late in the evening many days, only to repeat the schedule the next day. We don't sleep, and locations have us use "porta poddies" . If the work is outside in the heat, it adds to the discomfort. Yes, we love what we do, and many jobs are very nice and comfortable, but you would be surprised at the amount of PHYSICAL STRENGTH it takes most times, along with endurance.There were many "night shoots" required on this film. Can you stay up all night and work until 7am, then drive home? Still function the next day?
Our work is WORK. Work we love, but its definitely not for lightweights, or princesses.

[–] JackMeihoffer 18 years ago

Based On a True Story
by Jackson L. Meihoffer

SCENE ONE.
EXT. DAY. The Iraqui desert.
Two U.S. Marines are walking in the shimmering heat of the unforgiving Middle East desert.

CUT TO:
FIRST MARINE: This is terrible!

SECOND MARINE: What is?

FIRST MARINE: This situation we're in.

SECOND MARINE: How so?

FIRST MARINE: We're stuck in this horrible senseless war, in this unbearable heat with sub-standard equipment and weapons.
We haven't seen our families and loved ones in months.
Our fellow soldiers are killed, sometimes slaughtered, right before our very eyes.
The very people we've supposedly come to liberate have turned against us.
World opinion of the U.S. is at an all time low.
And the majority of Americans believe we should pull out of Iraq.

SECOND MARINE: You know, it could be worse.

FIRST MARINE: It could be worse? It could be worse?
HOW IN THE WORLD COULD IT POSSIBLY BE WORSE?!?!

SECOND MARINE: We could be extras in a Hollywood movie getting treated poorly by the producers.

SECOND MARINE (pauses and thinks): You're absolutely right.
When you put it that way, we're actually the lucky ones!

The two Marines laugh and continue walking. This time with a new resolve and determination into the Iraqui sunset.
THE END.

(Further copies of my screenplay are available upon request.)

dictionary.com and spellcheck.com.
Don't post without it!

[–] davidtran 18 years ago

I love it. Very creative. And even though you're teasing me probably, it would make a great short film. The military thing is very big right now. And anybody who's ever been on a crew will get the inside joke. Well done. Now just try not getting the idea stolen. :p
*[Big smile.]

I intend to make the world a far better place.

[–] nats_pacino 17 years ago

Wow... Your a little bit scary.....

I suggest you take the following advice:

Buy a very large needle
Hold it in front of you, sharp end pointing away
Thrust it forward with all your might and burst that little bubble your living in.

You could also consider buying a Map/Globe to confirm there is a whole world outwith Hollywood.
It might also be an idea to watch a 24 hour news channel to see what real life consists of.

Anyone who doesn't have their head stuck firmly up their a*" will get the inside joke. :-)

[–] nunu1345 17 years ago

why is he scary? because he is sarcastic when need be, and he doesn't immediately start spouting expletives when someone pisses him off? i have to say, though not everyone is in agreement here, it is nice for a change not to read people cursing at each other because they disagree.

so what if you don't like his complaints, there will always be someone worse off so there is no point in suggesting he can’t rant because of this. we all have the right to complain about something we don't like; kinda like some of you complaining about him complaining. maybe whoever is producing this film might get a glimpse of the complaint, and organize their next production better so certain things- like having enough water- is the least of their concerns.

before someone starts lecturing me too… if every situation affected everyone in the same way, we'd live in a very boring universe. if the guy wants to complain about something bothering him, what is the big frickin deal?

[–] djsoup 17 years ago

LOL

Jack, Can I play "Second Marine" I'm tired of extra work, I want lines! hahaha!

[–] Wootwootwoots 16 years ago

I've actually seen that elsewhere before and this poster plagarized the Marine dialogue; no doubt it came in an email asking someone to send this along to 911 people in the next minute or an American eagle would explode, making a high ranking government official whom everybody loves break down in patriotic tears.

At least the Marines knew what they were getting into and the military tries to prepare for war zones by providing food, shelter, armor, ammunition, support with other branches of the military and other military organizations, and COMPENSATION (battle pay isn't much, admittedly, but the Army will give you the money they promised). Moreover, most medics (like my own younger sister, who treated soldiers and lost friends when she was stationed in Iraq two years ago) will actually do their jobs to help ease your suffering and do their jobs instead of acting bitchy to you when you have a legitimate medical complaint.

Also, isn't it kind of an *beep* thing to do to compare military people to people who are working under miserable physical conditions at work? Yes, yes, it is. It's like when someone is protesting or making a point about a cause that you care very much about, and another person comes up and points out all the horrible things that are going on in every other aspect of the universe. Have some perspective.

I'm sure the person who posted their legitimate complaint about a bad set situation had every effing right in the universe to do so. I'm sure they care about other things as well, have some sort of empathy with people who have dangerous lines of work by. And for all you know, perhaps they know people who have been in war or are veterans themselves. It's really easy to judge people from behind your keyboard, but to belittle someone else's pain just because it doesn't fit your definition of pain is willfully ignorant, unnecessarily cruel, and shows a decided lack of empathy that divides people into us versus them categories that are at the root of conflicts that make intervention by soldiers necessary.

And you can call me any idiot name you desire, but know that I've thought about this a great deal, I've been an extra on a set, my sister is a veteran of this most recent conflict, and no knee-jerk reaction is going to change the fact that your position is indefensible.

[–] Eve_French 16 years ago

Why are you complaining? You chose this minimum wage job because you want to hang out at a movie set all day. So you had one bad day. Wow. Give us a break. You have the easiest "job" in the world and it's laughable that you're being so whiny about having to deal with a little heat. Get a new job if you're so miserable.

[–] jimifanwing 13 years ago

Perhaps you might consider the millions that work under similar conditions building roads that you drive on or the houses you live in.

[–] screechinfo 16 years ago

Gee, Jack Meihoffer! Let's see you deal with these lousy conditions and not bitch and complain. This was the first and only time I've left a set, and only then due to the inhuman conditions.

Have a great time Jacko - you must be absolutely PERFECT!!!!!

[–] tumbleweeds 16 years ago

Inhuman conditions? I think you mean inhumane but anyway, Why don't you become a migrant worker and then you can talk about inhumane conditions. Instead of just standing around all day, how about you actually WORK in that heat, breaking your back picking lettuce and whatnot.

Spoiled idiot, get a real job.

[–] screechinfo 16 years ago

Well, I guess you just don't get it. Nor should you. We'll just agree to disagree.

All I say to you and some others is work for one day in those miserable conditions for minimum wage like we did. I am not a member of SAG. I made less than half of what a SAG member took home.

Yes, I chose to do it and have done it since, and love the work. But that one day, out of many, I said "enough is enough" when people were fainting and there wasn't shelter or enough water to go around. I went home and called SAG.

What did that union do? Zip. Nothing. Because I wasn't a member of SAG. None of us would have taken the work that day had we known it was outside. The casting director didn't even know.

I fault the production for that. It was deliberate, and dangerous.

I do sympathize with migrant workers - how could I not? It has to be awful and is a very difficult life. I'm sure they did not "choose" to be migrant workers but had to do it to make ends meet. In no way was I trying to negate the hardships of that kind of life. So I'm not sure what you're getting at, except to spout off on something.

You are clearly a very angry person, and you will never see the point that is being made here. And really, why should you?

[–] cococo98 16 years ago

Extras deserve some damn respect!

[–] Jdylan-1 16 years ago

I don't know which to feel worse for you, that you were in the heat, or that you were in such a crappy movie.

-------------------------
Yeah, well...that's just, like, your opinion, man.

[–] screechinfo 16 years ago

I think its about a draw on both of those, to tell you the truth.

Whatever money they spent on this crap they should have saved and used to go back to film school.

I watched about 5 minutes of it on cable and that was if for me.

[–] zell1399 16 years ago

oh shut up you wimps you get to be in a movie and or music video that tons of people would love to do and you complain and get payed for it? Get a real job or shut up you sissy's

[–] screechinfo 16 years ago

"Oh shut up you wimp you have no idea what you're talking about...."