"BACKGROUND...You're Up!"

Earlier this week I noticed a post on social media: Needed--extras for a one-day film project.

Hmmm...

I was sitting at my desk working. The call was for the next day. What to do...? I was caught up. I have more than a month of vacation time to burn this year, and since we don't do vacations (usually...), I thought, why not? I followed the instructions to be considered, e-mailed my contact information and photos, then waited.

Soon after, I received a response: You're booked!

Sweet!

I haven't done a lot of extra work. Back in the 1990s I was on a couple of projects, one even gave me some quality face time (my definition of "quality" may not be yours...). It was fun, but long, long days. This one-day gig was similar. I didn't stay the entire 12-hours, as indicated in the announcement, but it was a 10-hour day.

The taping was for the BYU TV show Studio C, a very well done sketch comedy program. I'm not going to give anything away as to the skit, but rest assured, it was funny. When, after hours and hours of filming, the crew laughs at a take--after seeing the same thing done multiple times before--you know it's funny.

Being an extra on a film project is its own experience. There were about twelve of us. I kept to myself and read a book. Most chatted with the other extras about what projects they had done in the past. I'm sure many of them have their own IMDb pages. It's fun to listen to each of them talk about meeting celebrities, working on famous (and not so famous...) projects. And, we were well-fed, which is always a plus.

Even though this project was different than the others I've done, one thing remains the same. Filming is hard work. The crew works so hard, re-setting, changing lighting, camera angles making sure sound is right, everything. Us extras were paid a flat rate--more than minimum wage, but not much. Then there must have been fifty or so people all working together for a one-day shoot for a skit that may last less than ten minutes. Yes, the finish product lures many with the possibility of fame and fortune, but rest assured, it's tough, tough work.

I took a day off of work to work a different kind of job. Lots of waiting, little actual in-front-of-the-camera time, but it's something I'd like to do again. 

When You Turn On The TV And See Your College Roommate As Part Of A Drug Ring...

Back in the late 1980s or early 1990s, I rented a house near the U of U campus. In order to afford the incredibly reasonable rent, I needed roommates. One of those roommates was on national TV tonight. I watched the show (first time I ever watched an entire episode of NCIS...).

I had no idea that one day one of my roommates would portray a multiple yacht owner who ends up dead (spoiler alert...) when he messed with those involved in a Fentanyl drug ring. I mean, I never guessed that would happen.

Strangely enough, I don't know if--back then--he thought it would happen, either.

Kevin Ashworth, a.k.a. yacht owner Richard Lane (or, Dick, to his friends...) moved into our house as I finished up my degree at the U. Good-looking and smart, Kevin always had a look of quiet serenity on his face, a thinking man. I remember discussions of politics, even though he wasn't overtly political, and discussions of other things. And being the good roommate, Kevin came to my wedding. I was happy he was there.

As things go, we drifted apart. I heard a few years ago he had moved to California and had become an actor. You can access his IMDb page: HERE. Though I never thought he'd go in that direction, it made sense, with his looks and everything. Since then I've seen him on other shows, and even in an action-packed film where he played a space shuttle pilot. Unfortunately, the pilot met the same end as the devious Richard (Dick...) Lane. Poor Richard...he messed with the wrong drug dealers--a lesson for us all.

As with all my former roommates, and most in general, I wish him the best. It's exciting to see a former roommate entertaining the masses. But more importantly, I hope he's happy. I hope he's finding joy and enrichment in his life. And I hope he stays away from yachts and drug dealers of any kind.

* Photos used without permission from NCIS and CBS