One hardship every actor in LA has had to endure at one point in their careers is working background. You know, one of the blurry figures you see in the background way behind George Clooney's head? Fillers. Human props. Important, yet somehow the most disposable people on set.
At first, the idea of rubbing elbows with some big stars and saying you're "on the set of Grey's Anatomy right now, sorry I can't talk" sounds like a good time...in reality, it's worse than my day job.
Being an established people-hater, I don't think you'll be surprised that my least favorite part of this job is having to interact with my fellow background actors. They give us a room full of metal folding chairs and plastic folding tables, a coffee maker, and a table filled with bananas and doughnuts.
AND THEN THEY JUST LEAVE YOU THERE!
Last week I spent literally about 9 hours sitting in this room and about 2 hours actually working.
In this room, there exist several groups.
1. The Professional Background Actor.
This person does background work every day. They have an "agent" that they pay a certain amount each month to book them background jobs. This person just might be my least favorite. They make a big show about knowing the name of the props guy, about knowing the names of the production assistants, and about all the various shows and movies they've worked on. This person will frequently try to start conversation with you by saying, "so, is this your first time on this show?" or "What other shows are you working on this week?" They will also be very confused if you tell them that you don't make a habit of this sort of work, that it's only an occasional thing. They will literally not understand you. You may as well be speaking mandarin.
2. The Flamboyant Friendly Facebook Guy
This person is usually a flaming gay man or an unbearably obnoxious girl. This is the one who will peek over your shoulder while you're reading a book and ask "whatcha readin?" or the one that will speak loudly at you while you're listening to your ipod and will try to make conversation despite the fact that your earbuds are a clear boundary against small talk. This person has no concept of social boundaries. They also frequently forget the point of being there in the first place: WORKING. When the red light turns on to signal everyone on set to be quiet because they are rolling, this moron will keep blabbing while the rest of the room gives them dirty looks. At the end of the day, when everyone is tired and just begging to get out of the hell-hole of the holding room, this is the person who will tap you on the shoulder and ask if you're on facebook and if he/she can add you as a friend.
3. The Pastry Guy
Pretty self-explanatory. This is the guy who hangs out by the crafts services table literally all day. Also gets seconds at meal time. Not necessarily overweight (usually not). Just has nothing else to do.
4. The Loner
This category is made up of only a few (myself included). This is the person who comes prepared with an ipod and a charger, two books, a magazine, and even possibly a portable dvd player. This person doesn't want to make friends. Doesn't want to talk to you. Doesn't give a flying crap about the first two groups or what they have to say. They want to get there, work, get out, get a paycheck. That's it.
I. LOVE. YOU.
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