Exclusive Interview: What’s It Like Being an Extra on "Friday Night Lights"?
Have you ever wondered where they get all those "extra" people in TV scenes? I recently had the opportunity to chat with Lindsay Long, who did a stint as an extra on Friday Night Lights.
New episodes are playing Fridays on Universal HD, 6-7 p.m. and 12-1 a.m. Beginning in January 2009, the show will air on NBC, 9-10 p.m. Reruns air periodically on Bravo, and you can also watch full episodes online. Read on for my interview with Lindsay.
Jane: How did you end up being an extra on "Friday Night Lights"?
Lindsay: I heard that FNL was filming in the Austin area, and it’s really easy to be considered for an extra. All you have to do is register on www.onlocationcasting.net, then they e-mail you about when they’re shooting, you call the office and get booked. Their MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/fnl_extras, has all the info you need for the shoot.
Jane: Are you a fan of FNL? Was it awesomely cool being part of the filming process?
Lindsay: I’ve never actually watched the show before — shame on me, I know! The filming is really cool, mostly because there is so much going on. They film the action on the field at the same time they’re filming the crowd, so at least you’re reacting to something that is taking place. The entire crew is really nice, the AD (assistant director) that works with the extras was really energetic — and he has to be because around midnight, everyone is about ready to go home.
More after the jump…
Jane: What constitutes an "extra"? Any spoken lines, or is it mainly just in-the-background stuff?
Lindsay: Just in-the-background stuff. The speaking parts are handled by an entirely different casting company.
Jane: How long did the filming take?
Lindsay: Filming ran from 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. the night I was an extra. The night before, it ran from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. because they spent two hours trying to film the perfect spiral and the perfect catch.
Jane: Talk us through the process.
Lindsay: At 5 p.m., I arrive at the stadium, check in and fill out paperwork. I then get to eat "breakfast" — they provide pizza for everyone, an entire pickup full of pizza. Then I go to wardrobe where they look at the clothing I’ve brought and tell me what to wear. Sometimes they’ll add something like a jacket. I got a green shirt for when we switch sides of the stadium to become the opposing team’s fans. Then everyone heads over to the stadium and we get started.
I was cast as a Rally Girl, so I got to do a little more moving around than the other extras. The AD tells certain people to walk around, find their seat, things like that. I basically walked in loops around the middle section of the stadium, but because of that, I might be on film because I walked past some of the principals as they were being filmed getting to their seats. After a few hours of cheering, I then move down to the field for filming a few of the major plays — basically doing a lot of jumping up and down when someone scores (even if the actor doesn’t really make the catch).
After six hours, we break for lunch and then change into the opposing team’s colors. Once filming is over, I turn my borrowed clothing from wardrobe back in to get my pay sheet. Then I go to checkout, turn in my pay sheet and drive home.
Jane: Did you mingle with any of the stars?
Lindsay: No, partially because I haven’t watched the show, so it took me a while to figure out who they were. I figured it out when I noticed that they don’t wear the school colors. I guess it makes them easier to pick out for the viewers. I was mostly in the stands, so I didn’t get to mingle with the football players. But for the most part, the actors are there to work and so are you, so it would be rude to get too star-struck. After we break for lunch, they’re usually willing to pose for a photo with you.
Jane: Did you see or overhear any cool behind-the-scenes stuff or quotes?
Lindsay: The coolest thing I learned while on the set is that the main football players have body doubles for when they have to make accurate passes. The actors leave the set around midnight, and from that point forward, only their body doubles and the football extras are being filmed.
The booster stand is where all the audio equipment is hidden. Some of the crew that works on the field dresses in Dillon trainer and coach attire so you have no idea they’re actually film crew. There’s a guy whose job it is to go around to the actors in between takes and offer them water and gum. The concession stands are fully functional, and the extras can go there to get water, coffee, Gatorade, and snacks. Aimee Teegarden’s (pictured) boyfriend played an extra in the stands. They’re really cute together.
Plus, I know some details about this season that only people who were filming get to know, but I’d have to kill you if I told you.
Jane: How much can you make being an extra?
Lindsay: You get paid on an 8-hour scale with time-and-a-half after 8 hours. The minimum pay for general extras is $56 for an 8-hour day, plus overtime. More featured roles are at higher base rates. Plus they give out T-shirts and door prizes like iPods and digital cameras, and you get two meals plus snacks. It’s a pretty nice gig.
Jane: Anything else you can tell us about the experience?
Lindsay: It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot about what goes into filming a TV show.
Images: Lindsay Long; Friday Night Lights, NBCUni
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POSTED IN: Behind-the-Scenes, Bravo News, Bravo Programming, Casting, Friday Night Lights, Interviews
1 opinion for Exclusive Interview: What’s It Like Being an Extra on "Friday Night Lights"?
Jermaine Campbell
Nov 9, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I Jermaine Campbell would like to no how can i get in this program #281-351-5607 an 281-536-7285
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