Some acting jobs are better than others
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
Eugene, Oregon
August 9, 2017 6:57pm CST
All jobs are like that of course, but really, for "extras" work, most of it is
un-glamorous background stuff, providing a body to fill a space during the filming of a commercial. That was my job Tuesday when a series of six commercials was being filmed for an urgent care clinic in Vancouver, Washington, about twenty miles north of Portland. As it turned out, I did not have to be there until 9 AM, but morning traffic is a wild card, so I left at 5 :50 AM. It turned out to be a long day. I got home at 7:30 PM.
Breakfast and lunch were catered and very good. Extras not being used waited under a canopy with folding chairs and tables. As the day grew hotter and the air smokier (many forest fires), it was not so pleasant. Temperatures reached the mid-90s.
Finally at nearly 5 PM, it was a wrap, we were given checks and headed home. My two hour trip home took about an extra forty minutes due to rush hour traffic.
On the upside, besides getting paid, I met several nice people and found out about a new casting agency that is getting a lot of work. I will sign up there today. I elected to wait on seeing my daughter until Friday, when I will go up and spend the night at her house.
16 people like this
17 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
10 Aug 17
All in all a long day but glad you got lunch and paid James.
What was it you did exactly?
Good you can see your daughter on Friday then.
Fantastic you found another agency too.
5 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
I sat reading a magazine in a waiting room for one and stood at a coffee machine for another.
4 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
10 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic Cool..wish I could see you lol
3 people like this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
10 Aug 17
Aside from the smoke and heat, it sounds like a pleasant enough day and you get paid! Love that!
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic How do you keep yourself occupied during the down time on the set?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Aug 17
@divalounger I bring something to read or just chat with the other extras and compare experiences.
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
Yes, you never know what will happen when you accept one of these jobs,
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 Aug 17
Besides the heat and waiting it sounds like it was a good day. That's good. =)
2 people like this
@sallypup (58105)
• Centralia, Washington
10 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic We're headed back to the Albany area this Spring though the Portland area traffic gives me the Willies. I bet you know the answer to this question: Is Lebanon, Oregon super far from the Albany area? I think they have bus service. I'm guessing its far due to the lower prices of houses there.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
@sallypup It is only about 18 miles. Lebanon is a nice little community too. Corvallis is a few miles the other way from Albany.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
I was happy with the end result. The new casting site should be great.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
10 Aug 17
Good for you.
How much that a gig like this pays? If you don't mind me asking.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
12 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic that makes sense.
Thanks for answering my question. Hope you get more acting jobs your way.
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
It is usually about $150 or more. I decline anything under $100 since it is quite a drive.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159474)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Aug 17
Sounds like a great new hobby for you. Interesting and fun.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
It has been a fun thing to do since I discovered someone looking for man to play a sheriff on CL a few years back. That was where I saw the audition for the Bad Exorcists movie as well.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
I suspect it will only run in the state of Washington, since that urgent care place does not operate where I live. If I find a way that the Bad Exoricsts movie can be widely seen when it is released to TV, I will share that info.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
10 Aug 17
Most glamorous Jobs really weren't in the long run, but I think it would be fun to see yourself in commercials.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Aug 17
It is always a bit strange when one runs or someone I know sees me in one.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
11 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic My son was an extra once. My friend and I stopped to watch a movie being made on location and we had our 6 year old children with us. Someone came over and asked if the children could be extras. We both agreed and it was fun to watch them running through the scene as instructed. They did a good job. It was a HBO movie but since I didn't subscribe, I never saw the move.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Aug 17
My tattoo artist was in TLC's very first commercial for Trading Spaces, and played a Mummy for their Mummy Week.
This is one of my favorite commercials, both because of the fun I had on the shoot & because of how much I love the end product. This is also a sort of previ...
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
@teamfreak16 I wondered, with that physique!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic - He actually was a pro wrestler.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29265)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Aug 17
Yes, I signed up on the new site today, so we will see what happens.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
11 Aug 17
No way, that's cool! Even if you are just filling up a space it's still neat ! Will we be able to see the finished commercials? All the best on your new career :-)
