Checking the Gate : A Retrospective on the Life of a Background Performer

Whether I'm portraying an office worker, as in the Flight of the Conchords scene above (at approx. 0:31 seconds), a Wall Street executive (as detailed in my previous post), or as a space filler in a dense crowd of tourists at the Statue of Liberty, the whirlwind life of this struggling actor is not an easy one.

Yeah, it's all champagne-soaked weekends in the Hamptons, late-night Manhattan rooftop parties and bevies of sexy birds now, but things weren't always so carefree and easy for this budding young superstar from Queens. The beginning was quite an uphill battle.








I guess I first found my true calling as an unrecognizable blur in film and television with last year's smash Bollywood hit, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Look for my reaction shot to a soccer ball being thrown (far right, 1:11). After the accolades died down, I'll have to admit a bit of a lull ensued for a while. I wasn't feeling confident and my art, and in turn my career were suffering in the process. A pilot for a show called "Traveler" came soon after (click here, walking left to right, far background, at 1:41) This show sat in the can for a long time before being changed to a mini-series and ABC finally airing it as a mid-season replacement a few months ago. In my role as "club-goer #4", I emerged on the scene with a new image as a suave, "doesn't play by the rules" kind of actor.




Also around this time came another pilot, "The Wedding Album". It was shot in Cipriani's downtown. By the way, Cipriani's is in hot water now and will probably lose their liquor licenses as a result of some the good old not-so discreet taxy-evasiony, agreeing to pay fines to the tune of $10 million.

Anyway, I was a banquet waiter in an opulent wedding scene shot their gorgeous ballroom and I got to meet one of my heroes, Jerry Adler (Hesh from The Sopranos).
I'm not sure why exactly he's a hero of mine, but he certainly is one of those really nice old guys you don't come across too often these days. Connie Stevens was on that show too, but I had to defer to my mom to find out who the hell she was. As it turns out, the Wedding Album had to be rewritten and recast for FOX.




Japanese television came calling next. A staged singles party for dog owners at a spa first, then another live segment singing Christmas carols at the South Street Seaport later that year. My third Japanese gig was the charm and turned out to be the most fun and interesting for me. It was when I had the opportunity to mingle with Morimoto and a Crocs wearing Mario Batali during a magical culinary adventure like none other seen on international TV. When Morimoto yelled at me not to "shake the tray" I was holding during rehearsal outside in 30-degree weather, I knew I wanted to do this for a living. Something just 'felt right'. At this very moment, my people are making sure my publicity tour in Tokyo goes off without a hitch. My Japanese fan base is always hungry for more, and it's about time I showed them my appreciation. After all, I couldn't have got to where I am without them.


Then came S.A.G. upgrades, thanks to two upcoming movies. The first one, titled "Paraiso Travel", is the story of two young lovers from Medellin who move to New York. Half of this film was shot in Colombia, the other half made in Queens, and it's unusual to find myself traveling within my home borough to a set. It filmed sometime in March, so the weather was biting cold, to say the least. They had a little trouble shutting down the street from pedestrians too. One contributing factor being the scene was supposed to be set in the middle of summer, so people with heavy winter coats in the background would be a little bit of a problem for the shot . Thing is, the powers that be in charge of this movie didn't tell any of us lowly extras in advance that would be the situation. They matched me up with a super-hot Colombian girl, to walk as a couple in front of a Colombian restaurant, Mi Tierra Colombia (which I've since had the chance to go to later, thanks to the suggestion of a very beautiful former co-worker at the Katwalk). Walking down the street, I was approached by someone with a name tag around his neck. He asked me to step over to the side of the street with him. Instantly, I thought I had done something wrong. He introduced himself as a S.A.G. union rep, and asked me if production told me in advance that we would be filming summer shots in the winter, complete with an assistant director telling us to take off our jackets before the cameras rolled, shouting the command "Jackets Off!".
"No", I replied, "of course not". "
"Well, we might have a problem here" he replies, and walks off. In the holding area for extras later in the afternoon, I see him literally pulling a member of production into another room to chew him out. Almost an hour later, everyone who wasn't already in S.A.G. was granted a waiver and paid at their rate because of the inconvenience. I got dirty looks from the guys in charge for the remainder of the day, as it looked liked I somehow ratted them out on their unfair labor practices. It's always fishy when they offer you cash for these things too. They were trying to get around some rule here.

This film, directed by Simon Brand, stars (among others) John Leguizamo and Ana de la Reguera. Ana de la Reguera, if you aren't familiar with her, is extremely beautiful. She is also a very well known Mexican actress. Her resume lists two Spanish language TV series', "Luciana y Nicolás" and "Cara o cruz". Between those two shows, their titles have encompassed just about my entire legal name, with correct spelling of course.
(I make a huge deal out of Nicolas being spelled without the dreaded "H", and with the proper accent included). I had already been aware of who she was, somewhat from my struggle to learn the Spanish language by watching novelas, but mostly from her Hollywood debut as Sister Encarnación in the movie Nacho Libre, which was coincidentally released on my birthday (match made in heaven?).

A nerve racking moment occurred when Ana de La Reguera, acting as a CD vendor on the street, stops me to talk as I walk by during the shot. Very unprepared for this moment, I waste no time in promptly ruining the passing camera shot by completely freezing in my spot and muttering some inaudible response, all the while staring into her big beautiful brown eyes and watching her giggle at my awkwardness. Later, I was luckily paired with another Colombian beauty, this time inside the restaurant (whenever they have the makeup girl come up to you, you know you'll have camera time.) In this business, I've come to master the art of pantomiming. I had to pretend to eat food as she continually tried to feed me something disgusting and cold from her fork during the shot, which I had to nicely refuse each time.

Second waiver came in an interesting way as well. Keep in mind, there are many actors out there who spend years trying to get these waivers through background work.
It's a total catch 22: You need to get three of these waivers where you are getting paid the SAG rate for the day to just be eligible to join the union. You can also get hired as a "5 and under" - where you are given five lines or less and fulfill the same requirement. This is harder to do, so most hope for the ever-elusive waiver to fall upon them by chance while being an extra.

How do you get them, you ask? Most major film and television sets follow the guideline of hiring 30 or so background actors automatically, standard. Everyone after that (usually) is non-union. You either have to 'become' one of those 30 by replacing someone who doesn't show up, is late or irresponsible, or if you're lucky, is fired or dies unexpectedly (rare). Or you can inspire someone to grant you an waiver outside of those numbers because you've displayed some extraordinary talent or look that is needed right at that moment (you're featured, etc..) Strangely enough, this way of getting a waiver is most commonly achieved by hot girls dressed as whore-like as possible, and nothing else. 'Dems the breaks, kid.

As I was saying, second waiver came the way of the new Jodie Foster movie "The Brave One". It's funny because all these movie titles always sound retarded to me a year in advance before their release while they're shooting. By the way, is there a movie Terrence Howard is NOT in lately? Answer: NO, because I'll be working on yet ANOTHER one next week (to be released 2008). Overexposure much?
Anyway, I'm called to be featured in a police lineup in the movie. "Are you available to work on a Jodie Foster movie" the casting agent on the phone asks. "Hmmm, Jodie Foster?" I reply, as I shuffle a bunch of papers over the phone pretending I actually might have a life or something to do. She told me she's calling 9 people, and they'll only use 7, so there's no guarantee I'll get in. She's a professional, right? They asked for a young Hispanic male of a certain age, she has already seen my picture on the database, so no room for confusion, correct? I get to the set, outfitted to look like a police station somewhere around the diamond district, 46st or 47th St and some Avenue or another. Without immediately realizing it, I was close to an office of an old girlfriend of mine (and by old, I mean fat too). I awkwardly had to not look like a nut job in front of one of her co-workers I knew while walking past the building (accidentally) during my lunch break. It didn't help that I was forced to walk down the same block (with fellow extras) later that day on the way home to get to the train. It REALLY didn't help that now it's pouring, fucking raining cats and dogs, and I run into a different co-worker of hers this time. Kinda makes you look super-crazy.

Back to meat of this sandwich: (the point, if you will). Upon arriving to set, I immediately realize I've wasted my time. Of the nine people called for this scene, one other guy looks a lot like me. The other seven are straight out of Training Day (or your favorite book of racist stereotypes). I'm talking totally shaved head, wife-beater wearing Mexican gangsters. It's then I look over at my doppelganger in the world of extras (you know the type. "I was a stand in for Wilmer Valderrama, blah blah blah") - and I figure I might as well make friends with this guy due to the fact we'll be spending the whole day doing nothing, cause we both ain't going to be in a movie today. Even though they wasted my time, they had to give me a waiver for making me go there. Thing is, I just couldn't go home, I had to stay as long as the people they used. So I spent the bulk of my 8 hours sleeping in some auditorium.

Now I'm just one waiver (and the over $2,000 initial fee + dues) away from SAG membership, union protection, and inevitable glory.


All of this talk brings me to last month . I'm on set, early call time. I thought ahead this time and managed to get a little sleep the night before. I'm mulling about, just having eaten my standard craft services bacon and egg, coffee, and of course, a corn muffin (I Love me my corn muffins!). I've taken my position now, in the process of what we call in the biz "getting in the zone". I'm standing in front of Ingersoll Hall, at Brooklyn College. No less than 15 feet from me, I'm looking straight at Jesse L. Martin. Luckily, I've been called to do an early episode of the 18th season of Law & Order. Yeah, I was a court reporter in last season's premiere, but it was the 'Order' half of the episode. This is different. I love Law and Order. This show is so totally New York that it ain't even funny. One of the longest running prime time dramas in television history, it has provided an excellent body of work for many actors, local to NY and otherwise, for a long time now. Not to mention the steady work for crew and production the show has made available. [As of 9/21, I've worked on what is going to be probably the second, fourth and fifth episodes, which will start airing in January, Sunday nights, NBC.]

A week later, and my talents are required once more, this time for a Smirnoff Ice industrial. I look among the faces on the 11:07 Metro North train to So.Norwalk and wonder where these people are headed to at this time of the day in Connecticut. I had all the great free barbecue food and all the shitty Smirnoff Ice malt-beverages you can drink. Green tea flavored, Iced tea flavored, watermelon, and the classic original.
Smirnoff Ice was something I enthusiastically drank in my youth; because for the first time, my two favorite things in the world had been brought together: Lemonade and Alcohol. I had so much fun, I suggested to a company rep that they change the name of the product to "Smirn-On!". Once again, I was the only one laughing. Good thing I was too drunk to notice.

In closing, please watch "Extras", the show by original "Office" creator Ricky Gervais. It's hilarious because it's true, take it from me.