That Time I Helped Out On "Studio C"...A Blast

 I can't remember where I saw the notice--If you want to be considered as an extra on BYU TV's Studio C, send in a bio and a picture to such-and-such.

I did.

They asked me to participate.

And it was a blast.

Back in the 1990s, I did some extra work, not much, but enough for people to come up to me after the show aired to ask, "Weren't you on such-and-such show last night?" And I would answer, "yeah, that was me." I didn't pursue it seriously, just something fun to do. I'd like to do it more, but being a single-income family (and me with the income...), it wasn't something I could devote time and energy to.

So, when I saw the casting call, I thought I'd give it a shot. It was filmed in March of this year, about a week after it all hit the fan. The episode recently aired and the skit I was in is up on YouTube. You can watch the whole thing: HERE.

The skit was hilarious, and I'm not just saying that. Well, I found it very funny. If you've ever done extra work on a set, you know there's a lot of sitting around. I did my share. They had about twenty of us and we'd be called in for the different segments where various items were being evaluated. I was in two, the doll, and the final scene. That final scene--you can't tell, but that girl almost struck me several times with those vases on her hands (understandable, since she couldn't see anything...). Me ducking was not acting, but acts of survival.

I've said it before, but the crews on those sets work so hard. There's so much work that goes into a five-minute segment. I had total respect for people in that business. If you've got a minute or two and would like a laugh, click the link. After all, everyone can use a laugh now and then.

"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. 

Looks Like The Wall Street Journal Knows What We've Known For A Long Time...

Back when I worked with a computer developer, my friend told me about the Wall Street Journal. Of course, I'd heard of the newspaper (it was only a paper back then, there was no "on-line" anything...). He told me that I could get so much of what was really going on in not only the business world, and in the world in general by just reading the front page of the journal.

It's been almost thirty years since he told me that and I haven't forgotten it. For a while I would read the first page of the journal because the business subscribed. It's been a long time since I picked up the newspaper and read that front page. And, honestly, it's been a long time since I've even checked out the digital version, but I did check it out this past week. It's because they spotlighted a comedy troupe from Utah, BYUtv's Studio C. 

It's something those of us around here have known about for a long time.

The WSJ article is interesting. It's main point is that the comedians are succeeding even without using vulgarity or off-color jokes to do it, Maybe in their world that is newsworthy. Those of us who seek out and watch "clean" comedy know it can not only be successful, but good, as in quality as well. The article goes on to say even Conan O'Brian has been impressed with what they do.

If you've not heard of Studio C, or if you've followed them for years, check out the article. You can read it by clicking: HERE. Hopefully, because of the Wall Street Journal, more and more people will find out what we've known for a long time, that Studio C is dang funny!

Ever Checked Out Studio C?

Monday nights at our house means a couple of things, and one of those is for the kids gather around our TV to watch one of their favorite shows...BYU TV's Studio C.

 

 I don't know how we found it, but once we did, it's become an event. We even bought the show's DVD for our California trip. It was one of the most-watched shows that kept the kids entertained from Reno to Barstow.

I think it's the first sketch comedy show my kids have ever seen, certainly the one that's made the biggest impact. They know all the actor's names.

Through the years I've seen many sketch comedy troupes. And I'm pretty sure when I was my kid's age, I was watching Saturday Night Live on a regular basis. There were times when it was really good--other times, not so much.

There's been some great comedy acts over the years. Monty Python, Second City, Kids In The Hall, Blue Collar TV. How does Studio C stack up against them? Well, I feel okay having my kids watch Studio C. And, many times it makes me laugh too.