Acting, as in, “Oh, he’s just acting” or “Act like you understand what I’m saying!” Acting has a negative connotation in speech more often than not, and in real life, it’s also considered by many as less than noble. Unless, of course, it’s the theatre: then, suddenly, it’s a higher calling meant for the gifted and intellectually superior artistes among us, not just the super thin and shockingly handsome.
Theatre people are the stars with gravitas, not the movie tabloid mainstays that pass as our ragged heroes in this twilight culture.
Then, there’s the extra, as in, not necessary, superfluous, less important sort of actor. Not a featured player: just an extra.
Strictly Background is the engaging new film from Jason Connell that lifts the veil off the hidden sect of career extras. At times sad, ebullient, quirky and fascinating, this previously untold tale unfolds before us like a slo-mo train wreck: apparently, no one chooses to be the lifelong extra, it’s the sad inevitability of too many actors chasing too few parts.
Extras on a set. Photo by Diane L. Wilson |
An official selection at numerous film fests, this absorbing expose´ features ten actors who have, for better or worse, become permanent extras. Yes, they stroll the streets of Weho on many an afternoon, going from one audition to another.
One might argue that no one in Strictly Background could have been leading man/woman material. That would be beside the point, as the actor’s ego-never truly sublimated—requires utmost confidence and bravado.
Self-doubt is a limiter, and when playing a lesbian terrorist or murderous Celtic priestess, one must step in might big shoes, if not in something altogether more odious. Even background actors, or extras, take their role very, very seriously, no matter the film.
Most of the faces in Strictly Background look familiar, and in fact, we’ve all seen them, if only for a split second, over and over again. Why do they do it? The pay sucks; IMDB won’t even list your character without a name; and to see how an extra is really regarded, spend an hour watching the new Ricky Gervais HBO/BBC vehicle Extras.
Jason Connell, the filmmaker responsible for “Strictly Background.” |
Ralph Cramden got more respect. They do it because they are hooked. After all, you can tell your family back home you work with Spielberg, Scorcese and Coppola.
The irony of being both an extra and a featured player in this documentary--oxymoronic in all other scenaria--is not lost on the cast: an odd assortment of characters and character actors, mugging when they can, crowding forward for face time, suffering rejection and paying bills late.
As an extra, age is less a bugaboo, whereas lead actors must worry daily that their time has come. Older actress Cecilia Hartfield is set dressing on many films, where a mixed age crowd is part of a scene.
Another favorite extra is Terry Bolo, of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, who really could be legitimately referred to as a character actor more than a background player. She’s fun, and it shows onscreen.
Photo by Diane L. Wilson |
Louis McCarten is a true eccentric gem and has that geek/outsider/future serial killer vibe down to a science. The rest of the team is followed as well through auditions, dull waits on set, hustling to be picked at call sessions, getting evicted, shopping at Goodwill, hassling women at Goodwill, giving up, coming back, and giving up again.
The viewer feels the film crew really, really fell for these actors, and the movie must have been a blast to make. Done in documentary style featuring talented dp Bryan Storkel, Strictly Background has all the attributes of a polished work and transcends the aura of reality fare permeating the U.S. today.
For those thinking of going into film acting, watch Strictly Background first: the career you save may be your own.
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