Our speaker in March was Robert Brewer, who spoke about his experiences as a "Supporting Artist" (SA) in the Film and TV world - "Extras" to you and me.
Robert told us a bit about his previous life, then how he chanced upon an Ad. at his Local Library; invited to a photoshoot, and after "acceptance" invited to become an Extra in a "Major Hollywood Blockbuster" with a working title of "Project Big Ears" - the actual title is kept confidential until the film's release. This one turned out to be "Dumbo". His very first film.
He told us of the care and attention to detail - hair, make up, costumes. And the Camaraderie that builds within the SA's who work together - he's still in touch with colleagues from the Project Big Ears filming several years later.
Extras are from all walks of life - that group included a former bank CEO, a Hells Angel, and Robert, formerly a Police Officer.
Robert has been in around 40 productions, some well known (he named several, and the stars that he's worked with), and in different Studios and "on location" - including in Ditchley Park He showed us clips of one of his speaking parts in Eastenders. The difficulties of working in Covid, where they had to be 2 metres apart - so as a patient in Casualty, he was examined by a Doctor who was 2 metres away!
When extras are in vision, often with another Extra, they mime conversation, and react to each other in as natural a way as possible. Often a rapport builds between the two extras, even though they have no idea what the are pretending to talk about and the actual words they (dont) voice are "rhubarb and custard" repeatedly.
Robert told us how to become a "SA" - Google for agencies and send them a head and shoulders photo! Bearded men are in short supply. One agency specialises in ugly characters, who are also in demand.
And we concluded with a short "scene" with a cast from our membership, and the audience playing, together, the role of Camera, Lights, and Director.
A fun, interesting talk - Thanks Robert! And it was great to have an audience of 59, including 12 visitors, some of whom expressed an interest in joining the u3a.