My 2 seconds part 3

First scene adventure

I made the drive from Ohio to New Jersey. On they way I got a call from the casting company giving me the details on where to go. I got my hotel room. I gave Ron a call, and went over to his room for us to meet, in real life, for the first time.

The next morning got up and we had arranged to meet in the parking lot. We had to be on set around 9:00 am. Laura, Max and Ron met me at my van, and we were off.

We had been instructed to go to an area downtown that was sectioned off for the movie. When we got downtown there were signs directing us to a parking garage.

There was a large tent set up as a holding area. We registered and got our badges that we needed to identify ourselves as extras. We were told to not loose them as we may not be permitted back in without them.

We had to sign confidentiality forms, stating that we wouldn't tell the world every detail that we saw.

Then we had to get inline for a wardrobe check. We had been told to bring several options. They had also given us a list of don'ts (wardrobe and no cameras/autographs,In other words-leave the actors alone). The dress code was 80's business casual. I had brought a couple of shirt options and a tie ( I hate ties so I was hoping they would let me get by with just a dress shirt). When it was my turn to get my wardrobe checked the lady looked at what I had on and what I had brought. She wanted me to put on the shirt and tie (NOOOOO!). I was directed to the dressing trailer to change.

On my way to the trailer I saw Ernest O'Donnell, who has played in several of Kevin Smith's other movies. Probably best know as Rick Derris from Clerks. My thought was "cool they are going to have some real actors here".

I had about convinced myself that we wouldn't see any actors. The scene I had in my head went like this......." Ok everyone you are the crowd and we need you to react to Ben Affleck's lines. He was here yesterday and we filmed him. Today Joe here is going to read his lines and we want you to react. " So at the point I saw real actors running around, I was pleasantly surprised.

It was rather cold. After everyone was wardrobe appropriate, we were taken in groups to the set. None of us knew where they were taking us. While we were waiting I asked Ron if he took any offence to the jokes in the Clerks cartoon that were directed at Canada. He said "all in good fun". What a great attitude. All of us were hoping for inside( it was that cold). They took us to the Hard Rock Cafe. There where cheers for we were going inside.

Outside the Hard Rock was a huge HMI light. We were taken inside and put in place. The tables and chairs had been removed and we were just crowded in the middle of the Cafe.

After we had been standing there a while, Kevin Smith came out to give us our direction. He tells us that we are reporters waiting for Will Smith, who is late. He made a joke that it might be hard for us to act that we were waiting (which we already had been doing). He also instruct us to not look the actors in the eyes, especially Affleck. Which got a good laugh from the crowd. We were given further instructions like turn cell phone off or on vibrate only.

Some of the extras were given fake cameras to operate. They passed out some press kits on Will Smith for us to be holding. Some of the extras were given fake film crew jobs. The press kits were surprisingly detailed.

The atmosphere between all the extras was very friendly. While we waited many conversations were started. We found some people who were trying to get in to the movie business and were extras in other movies. We found some people who were locals. They saw an add in the paper and sent in their pictures. Then those like me, who were fans of Kevin Smith and sent in pictures from the web site.

To be continued..