PLAY I'm in a movie! Yeah really!

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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
One of the kids saw a notice in the dojo for extras needed for this movie. He is a big fan. He doesn't usually ask for much but really wanted to try out - for the lead part of course! I ended up with the part of extra, no speaking just a lot of running, dodging (to be added special effects), swords and other weapons! The set was fantastic, literally walking into another world and the costumes were incredible. I wanted to take mine home, comfortable as pajamas and made of beautiful rich fabrics. I can't wait till it comes out.

http://www.thelastairbendermovie.co...Release(OfficialSite)&utm_campaign=Email#home
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
*sigh*


I'm jealous. Of course, the fat guy (heh) doesn't "run"; he just gets mowed down by whatever the "danger" is. But I wouldn't mind being cannon fodder for a bit-part in a flick.

Congrats to you! Let us know, when the film comes out, what scene you're in and what you're wearing, so we can heckle you here on TB...

:dvl1: :groucho:
 
Laurane

Laurane

Canadian Loonie
Even if you appear in the shooting of a movie....

but you get cut during the editing, the whole process is such fun and amazing to watch how it is all co-ordinated.

Our family went to be extras in a show near our place in Alberta (it's cheaper to make films in Canada) called "American Harvest" starring Earl Holliman and Casey Seimaszko who are two battling farmers in a demolition derby of their combines (harvesters). We were part of the crowd and had to wave, cheer, boo, hold up signs etc and with our 3 kids found it great fun. Even got pics of Holliman.

So OGM, you will remember this for years even if you forget the names of the actors.

This was "our" show.......not a classic:lol:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092547/
 
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tm1439m

Veteran Member
Great ! Hope you show up.

My son and I were extras in THE PATRIOT with Mel Gibson. I worked that movie from September of that year until mid January of the following year. He was only able to work for about 10 days or so due to school. They offered to get him a tutor but the school would not let him out that long.

I have to say that it was the best time of my life. I spent hundreds of hours working that movie and even had a few close interactions with stars, but you have to look very very close to see a glimpse of me. My son didn't even show up. A large majority of the film is cut.

It wasn't about being seen for us though. It was being there that made it probably the best experience of my life. The revolutionary period was one of my favorite times in history. I truly believe I belonged back there.

You would not believe what goes into the making of a movie like that. And the explosions you see on screen. They are really happening all around you. They were controlled but were set off manually by hands of those in charge. I was almost blown up by one. It blew my hat off and filled my face, nose and hair with debris. The guy who did it ran to me and apologize over and over and over. He said another step or two and It would have peeled my skin off. YIKES!!!

My avatar pic is from one day on set. My son is the British soldier and I am the Militia.
 
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tm1439m

Veteran Member
Hansa44 said:
Do extras get paid is it all volunteer?
Click to expand...


I was paid $125 per day plus extra for hazards and what not which some days added up to an additional $30 to $60 per day. That was ten years ago. Plus we were fed three meals a day plus snack breaks. But this was a rare case due to the nature and longevity of the need for extras in this type of film. From what I understand most do not pay for a day or two of work.
 
Milk-maid

Milk-maid

Girls with Guns Member
I used to play an extra in The New Detectives and The FBI Files..both TV shows were filmed in my area. I still see them on TV every now and then. I see friends on there too who I talked into doing it with me.
We got some really good money for sitting around all day on the set waiting... something like $325 if we had to wait over 6 hours. It was something to do on my days off for spare cash.
 
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tm1439m

Veteran Member
Old Gray Mare said:
One of the kids saw a notice in the dojo for extras needed for this movie. He is a big fan. He doesn't usually ask for much but really wanted to try out - for the lead part of course! I ended up with the part of extra, no speaking just a lot of running, dodging (to be added special effects), swords and other weapons! The set was fantastic, literally walking into another world and the costumes were incredible. I wanted to take mine home, comfortable as pajamas and made of beautiful rich fabrics. I can't wait till it comes out.

http://www.thelastairbendermovie.co...Release(OfficialSite)&utm_campaign=Email#home
Click to expand...



Wow! just watched the trailer on the link you provided. It was awesome. can't wait to see it. Bet it was a great time being there.
 
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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
I am so excited! It was a fantastic experience, fun and work at the same time. The attention to detail was exacting. The cast was an eclectic bunch of people everything from construction workers, lawyers to your's truly. All were very polite, patient and professional, even the kids. The kids were great and fun to work with. The child actors and actresses helped make sure Old Gray Mare didn't screw up their scenes. The young actor playing the part of the Aang, the last airbender (Noah Ringer) was a really nice kid, down to earth, no attitude, very positive and helpful, he may have known the name of every other child there and interacted with them like he was just another kid on the set. He is the real McCoy. A few months ago there were videos of him on youtube (gone now) doing martial arts not for the movie but in his dojo. He really loves it, you could see it in how he moved. He's good. He and the other leads had a lot of responsibility put on their young shoulders. There were some nights we worked late and I know they were tired but they put their hearts into it. It shows.

If I could get my kids to work as hard, coordinated, focused and have as much fun while they were doing it as M. Night Shyamalan and his staff were able to, they would have scholarships and our place would look like Martha Stewart's.

We have to wait until July second, 2010 to see it. Spring is going to be on the looong side this year.
 
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Pass Go

Pass Go

Inactive
Back in 1985 I was in two movies. The Last Ride, starring Ben Johnson, was directed by Bill Russ. I also ran technical advising to coordinate the movie folks to bringing the hospital to the film in real terms. I haven't thought about that in a long time, but I have wondered what the film looked like all done. I was supposed to be invited to the premire, but I switched hospitals and lost track of Bill. Ben was the nicest man - truly a kind gentleman.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...m+russ+the+last+ride&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

The next year, I was involved in a short film starring Beth Raines, who is/was, I dunno, a well-known soap actress. Oddly, I don't remember much about it, other than she was really cute.
 
Little-Acorn

Little-Acorn

Inactive
My 12 (then 11) year old son is in the movie "The Changeling", with Angelina Jolie. In the first scene set in Canada (starts with a car license plate filling the screen, then it moves away), he and another kid run across the street, a block away, carrying model airplanes. He's on screen for maybe 5 seconds total... and you have to know exactly where to look.

Fame, fortune, and glory!!!!

Well, not really. You can barely see him, even if you DO know where to look. But it was fun.

He's been in a number of other movies and TV shows too, as a child background actor - the lowest form of life on a Hollywood set. Never more than a few seconds per movie. But it's fun to see how it all works.
 
Caplock50

Caplock50

I am the Winter Warrior
Hey, I'll put Maggie away for a while and change hats...if they need a wizard.

See?
 

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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Caplock I think you would make a great Water Bender.


The set was fantastic. It really was like walking into another world. I can't wait to see how it came out. It is a very basic theme, the good Avatar Air Bender vs. the evil Fire Lord who wants to take over the world. The animated cartoon this is based on also has themes of coming of age, loss, duty, family and friendship. It is nice in that we can take the kids with us to see it.

If there is an Academy Award for most unintentional face plants in a single take I've think I've got it nailed. At one point another actress grabbed my costume and used me as a human shield between her and the swords and halberds being enthusiastically swung in all directions. It is amazing how sharp pointy things can quickly instill incentive the to move out of an area fast.

The good part is that my youngest who wanted the part of Aang has finally resigned himself to the fact he is not going to be called and is taking his disappointment in stride. Extra popcorn may help.
 
L

LindaPie

Inactive
WOW!

I saw a trailer for this movie and told my husband WE NEED TO SEE THIS!!

Looks awesome! Can't wait! And we aren't a movie-going couple. Cool to know you had part of it!

LP
 
Caplock50

Caplock50

I am the Winter Warrior
I apologize most deeply OGM, for not saying it sooner...Congratulations!!!


Now, can I have your autograph? Please?
 
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shane

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Congrats, Old Gray Mare, what a great experience that had to be!

Closest I ever came was in 1975, I got invite to be stunt hang glider flier in
Sky Riders with James Coburn and Susannah York.

My buddy, Bob Wills, of Wills Wing Hang Gliders, whom I was his NE Distributor,
had the stunt contract and called me up to join him, his brother and another.

Parents would not let me skip college semester to got to Greece to do it, darn!

Unfortunately, he died a few years later in hang glider accident filming a Jeep
commercial, shortly after I'd spent a month out flying with him in Calif and had
kicked off WW national factory rep flying team.

Got God, Grub, Guns & Gold?
Panic Early, Beat the Rush!

- Shane
 
BornFree

BornFree

Came This Far
Old Gray Mare said:
One of the kids saw a notice in the dojo for extras needed for this movie. He is a big fan. He doesn't usually ask for much but really wanted to try out - for the lead part of course! I ended up with the part of extra, no speaking just a lot of running, dodging (to be added special effects), swords and other weapons! The set was fantastic, literally walking into another world and the costumes were incredible. I wanted to take mine home, comfortable as pajamas and made of beautiful rich fabrics. I can't wait till it comes out.

http://www.thelastairbendermovie.co...Release(OfficialSite)&utm_campaign=Email#home
Click to expand...

Why Wait. I found the movie you star in ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhp6L5D6PFI
 
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BoatGuy

Inactive
I almost got a part in Paper Moon, with Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, when I was a kid. But, I was too smart. My part was an extra in a classroom, and when asked what 2+2 equalled, I was supposed to shrug my shoulders. But, when they would ask me the question, I kept answering "4". So, my brother got the part. He was 2 years younger and didn't know the answer... LOL But, he ended up on the cutting room floor...

Just like today. I always have to open my mouth... sigh....

Glad you had a good time!
 
O

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
No Spoilers Please!

Cute BornFree. Cappy you can have my autograph any ol' time you like. I was just an extra and like it as not will end up on the cutting room floor. We can't go and see in as a family till tomarrow so no spoilers please.

Saw the new trailer! OH I can't wait!!! :D
 
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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
We made a night of it and went out to eat too. The move is good with a lot of action, special effects and beautiful scenery. There is a lot of martial arts. If you like kata you might like to check it out. We did not do the 3D version as the critics panned it. M. Night Shyamalan's interpretation of the Last Air Bender is darker than the animated series.

DH and I enjoyed it but the children were disappointed. I think Shyamalan missed his target audience. Ap-pa in the movie is not the same cute 6 legged fluffy white sheepdog with a tail like a beaver as in the cartoon. Momo as my youngest put it looks like a monster bat rat and makes only two cameo appearances. Noah Ringer did IMHO a great job playing the character of Air Bender Aang but, his character lacks the nine year old impishness and innocence that my kids liked from the cartoon. They also were disappointed with the movie's almost total lack of humor that helps give balance to its serious subject matter and helps to hold their interest.

As to finding me in the film? We couldn't. It looks like I ended up on the floor. When it comes out in DVD we may try to do a frame by frame but I not holding my breath. Still it was a wonderful experience and I'm glad to have had the opportunity. I did feel sorry that almost all of the film of the young child extras was cut. Those kids really worked hard long hours and put their hearts into it.
 
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brandyh29

brandyh29

Inactive
My oldest son loves the Avatar cartoon on Nickelodeon. I didn't understand why the 'Avatar' movie that came out last year was about blue alien people. I was like, that's not Aang! The airbender Aang is what I know as Avatar, not blue aliens. :p
But yeah my son cannot wait to see The Last Airbender, the REAL Avatar! I think we're gonna wait for DVD though. We went to see Toy Story 3 when it opened, and it costed a fortune!
 
M

momof23goats

Deceased
Dennis Olson said:
*sigh*


I'm jealous. Of course, the fat guy (heh) doesn't "run"; he just gets mowed down by whatever the "danger" is. But I wouldn't mind being cannon fodder for a bit-part in a flick.

Congrats to you! Let us know, when the film comes out, what scene you're in and what you're wearing, so we can heckle you here on TB...

:dvl1: :groucho:
Click to expand...

you so bad Dennis, but so right!!!!!:lol:

Pleasselet us know when it is coming out. I think most of us will go see ya. congrats for sure .
I wouldn't have minded playing an old fat lady part for sure.
 
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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
The movie came out in theaters on July 1st. This is the First of possibly 4 in a series of Last Air Bender films. The premise follows the four elements. The Avatar has to learn how to master each. This first film deal with the element of water. The other three are earth, fire and air. According to scuttle butt the building the Water Nation set is located in has been rented for five years. M. Night Shyamalan is famous for making movies in the PA/Philadelphia area where his family is based. These movies have brought a lot of money into the local economy as well as provided bragging rights. The local powers that be in their infinite wisdom raised the taxes on film production. I'm sure this will not encourage future film production in our area.
 
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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Thank you Dragonslayer2001. When it comes out on DVD and we can flip frame by frame through the crowd scenes I may be able to point to a blur and say; "Hey that's me!" Still it was great fun and I'd do it again in a New York second.
 
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