My first time on a TV set!

(Me in costume in the holding room)

So I promised a review on my 1st experience on set. In March, I received an email from one of my agents saying I was direct booked as a featured extra for an upcoming pilot "The Carrie Diaries" which is based on the high school life of  "Sex in the City"'s Carrie Bradshaw. Now I have always heard that extra work can kill your career or at the very least not move it anywhere at all. However, I really wanted to experience being on a set and more importantly, the rate was more than 3 times the rate for a non-union extra, so what could I lose? 

The night before I called in to a provided number to get my number and information for the next day. My call time was 11AM. The message said to come camera ready. This made me nervous, because I've never done makeup for camera and I didn't want to look a mess. Nevertheless, I read up on 80's makeup and did a look. I packed some things that could be 80s wear in a rolling suitcase, as well as some snacks and things to do. I didn't want to chance anything. Once I arrived, I checked in and went to wardrobe. An outfit was built around the shoes I brought and then I went to stand in line for hair and makeup. Apparently we didn't have to do it ourselves after all. First I went in for hair. I was a little guarded because I saw the havoc some of the girls were going through to recreate 80s hair, especially one black girl with natural hair that some stylist was haphazardly straightening AND teasing. We were going to have a PROBLEM if they wanted my hair straight just for and extra part. Wasn't happening. I could've brought a wig with me if it was that serious. Luckily I got a black woman who understood my hair and just pinned it up into the style in the pic. Whew! Next stop was makeup. I sat in the chair and all the artists loved my makeup! I was literally just given some golden lips and a touch a blush and sent off.

On set, I learned so much just from watching. I observed who was in charge and how everyone worked together. I saw how many different ways one thirty second part of a scene had to be shot in order for them to edit it the way we watch it on TV. I really paid attention to the main actors and how the director interacted with them. It was a relief to see that even they mess up and aren't perfect. I ended up being seated right next to the main actresses so hopefully I'll get a lot of screen time. I was also one of the main dancers at the club so that 's great too.

We were on set for 13 hours! They were not playing when they said shoots run LONG. My shoes didn't have platforms and they were KILLING me. Plus, after all of that decent weather, it decides to be cold and rainy all day long that Sunday.

All in all it was a great experience and I don't regret doing it. I just don't see myself doing it again. My goal is to be a working actor, not an extra, which anyone with common sense can do. There's certainly nothing wrong with it, it's just not for me.