The Hubbard workshop and another day as an extra!

Hey everyone!


So I said that I would get back to you on how the Hubbard workshop went, and here I am, writing to tell you! Basically it is a full day, 10-5 and it costs 30euro, and is part of the Cinemagic 'festival' (if thats what you call a week of workshops and Q&A's....). Cinemagic.co.uk are a Northern Irish company I believe and set up a week full of workshops, Q&A's with directors, writers and actors, for the benefit of those who are looking to gain a little more insight into the industry.

The workshop for the Hubbards, was basically a group of probably 30 people, who would perform a monologue for Ros and John Hubbard, who would then give critical feedback! It was extremely insightful to listen to everything they had to say about some pieces and their feedback was extremely helpful. At the end of the day, there was a question and answer session and then we all packed up and went home!

I know it doesn't sound like much, but just to hear what they had to say about auditions and how they audition young actors and what their take on their industry is, was really so helpful, and I would really recommend that anyone interested should definitely take part next year! The do this workshop in Dublin, in the Burlington Hotel every year in collaboration with cinemagic, so please google Cinemagic and keep up to date with their workshops! Of course, with the Hubbards workshop, you can only do this workshop once, as they don't need to see you perform twice. They are hugely influential and just to get them to see you perform a piece, that ideally shows the best of your capabilities is a huge opportunity not to be missed!

And yes, some people will get auditions from the workshop, specifically the young females of 15-17, just purely because they are casting for someone of that age  right now, I believe. And who knows, next year they might be casting a character that may suit you! So go!! And also their memory is incredible! I met Ros Hubbard in London for a quick hello, literally two minutes and she remembered me! That was two years ago! So this is definitely an opportunity not to miss out on!

The following day, Fair City called again and asked if I'd be an extra for the day. So I did!! Up at 6.30 to be at the studios for 8am!! I was there until 3 and was used in one scene for approximately 5 minutes! Now I know thats an awful long time to sit around, but I can do whatever work or watch whatever movies or read whatever book I want, in the green room until I'm called! And as far as I'm concerned, that is way better than doing a minimum wage job for 6 or 7 hours to get the same amount of money! So it's all good for me!!

I don't think I'll be writing again about the Fair City extra work, as it is usually always the same. You sit with someone on set and you mime a conversation, or you drink/eat the food given, or you sit and read or search on your phone. Basically, you will be in the background, keeping occupied! And thats the life of an extra! Ha!

Any experiences you have had? Anyone else been to a great workshop recently? any feedback on this blog what-so-ever? Don't be afraid to contact me or tweet me @appeleyes2 with any comments or questions!!

Thanks so much for reading!

Peach Out!! xx

Extra work again

Hey guys, 

So I was offered extra work again yesterday for Fair City and of course as you know with any filming, I can't tell you what it was about. My I can share my experience all the same. 

Firstly, everyone I met was lovely on set, including the 'stars' of the show. The crew were all really nice, which is great when you're an extra but they don't make you feel like you're just furniture. It's always nice when they remember that you're actually human! 

We even got thanked by the director at the end of the scene, which was the first time I think I've been thanked as an extra. Could be wrong... possibly the first time thanked as an extra by a director.. yeah maybe that's more accurate. 

anyway, how did I get this? Easy! Just sign up to movieextras.ie and upload a few photos and they will send you for work! This is also how I go work on the Jimi Hendrix film. So It's always worth a try, and every time I've signed up to movie extras I've always made my money back, from filming. 

However, it is VERY BORING! I was brought in at 12 and wasn't used until 3.30, so I, along with many others, had to wait in the green room to be called, so my best advice is to bring a book or bring some work that you can do in that time. They do have a tv on normally which is nice, and of course people get chatting anyway which is also lovely. But there is a lot of waiting so do always bring a book or ipod or something to keep you occupied. 

Also, after every scene you've done, if they change scene, that means you must change clothes if you're going to be in the next scene. (They usually tell you to change anyway so don't worry about if you're uncertain whether you have to change or not)

What I normally do is bring several different tops that make up a totally new look. Or two pairs of pants and two tops and a jacket so that I can look different in very many ways! Also the whole, hair up and hair down thing is a great way to 'switch it up' too! Ha! 

Make-up, I've always gone with a more natural look but there is no specification on the make up as far as I'm aware. You can always bring make up with you and judge by looking at the others in the room. 

Anyway thanks for reading this quick lil post!

I'm on twitter, for any of those who want to follow me or ask me any questions, I'll definitely do my best to answer them or find the answers for you, by contacting casting directors or my agent!  @appeleyes2 

Have you guys done any extra work? What has been your worst/best experience? Feel free to tweet me the answers or comment below!! Thanks pals! 

Peach out! 

x

NDA

Ok lovelies... so I can't disclose what happened on set on Monday and tuesday but I will say these few things:

Being a special extra doesn't mean you have to wait around less! You'll still be hanging out on a dining bus for about 8 hours of your day!

The casting of Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix is magical and that casting agent deserves a medal!

The actors were extremely cool and sound and didn't mind hanging out or talking to us if they weren't busy

It's a very small world and you'll be surprised at how many people you know or have seen before on set!

Andre's hairstylist is the loveliest person! I want to keep him for my own!!

Hair and make up were lovely but sheesh the back-combing and high hairstyles and hairspray can be very sore!

and finally, the food on a movie set is amazing! and there is plenty of it!

Overall it was great fun hanging out with everyone and chatting and meeting new people!!



Thats a wrap!

(sorry there wasn't much in this post but I signed an NDA which is a nondisclosure form and basically says i'm not really allowed to talk about what went on or what we filmed. understandable for a big film like that. but all extras will need to sign an NDA on any film so expect to be filling in forms when you're an extra!)

Peach out!
x

CUTTING to the chase.. Jimi hendrix film

So my fitting was more than a fitting!!! They fit me in a fabulous mini dress but the big shock was when I was carted around to find the producer and the hair stylist to decide if I was a good match to play a special extra. So I'd have no lines but I'd play a person who is a real person! So I had to look right! And apparently I do look like her! So they cut it!  

As I was being shown around trying to find the producer I was brought on set and was able to watch Andre do a couple of takes of a scene! Exciting! And then he smiled at me and I smiled back! And later on he would sit beside me as I got my hair cut and he got his restyled for a different scene! So that was cool! It was only for like two mins tho so no words were exchanged! But he's nice! And he has a nice smile! 

Anyway so they cut a fringe into my hair! Any guesses as to who I will be impersonating? 

Finally: being an extra on the Jimi hendrix film in dublin part 2

Sooo.. I know this a long time coming! oops! sorry! I went to London this week so I guess my mind was a little preoccupied.

I was called for work at 9.30am which I thought was a reasonable call time considering that normally these things could start very early!

I was sent straight up to the lovely Tamzin and Susan (Tamzin dressed me on my day at Titanic Blood and Steel so it was nice to see a familiar face!) And got fitted in my lovely blue fitted high waisted trousers, orange blouse, black stripy shoes, and a cool navy and orange patent leather rain mac! Gorgeous! So then it was down to hair and make up, which was a simple teasing of the back of my hair, middle parting and some hair spray, and also some foundation, mascara and some brown shadow in the crease of my eye. Just an every day normal chick on the town in the evening in the 60's in London.

Then we had to wait..  and wait.. and yes... wait! It wasn't until 12 o'clock that we were brought to set and given some umbrellas! We were greeted by the AD's and one of them (Richie) had worked on Titanic Blood and Steel too so another familiar face!! (I think you're starting to see this industry is extremely small1!) But the weather was horrible!! Really nasty rain and wind!! Ick!!

so basically the whole day consisted of walking up and down the street past a window of a bookshop, while Andre 3000 and Ruth Negga were inside shooting. I did get to see both stars and said hello to Ruth. (she's so friggin lovely and beautiful!)

Then after a while we were sent to the dining bus for shelter, then brought back and did the same thing! (another extra and I even did a little work as stand ins for Ruth and another very beautiful and young actress with I'm guessing indian heritage! she was gorgeous!)

Then we broke for lunch (fish and chips or a hand burger or veggie curry) Lovely! and some coffee cake afterwards! yum yum!

The day was great and the extras that were inside the book shop got to meet Andre as he shook their hand and said thanks. He seemed very lovely and very genuine.. so I was told! I unfortunately never met him but he was very close to me several times! ha!

It was a great days work and I quite enjoyed it.  I must say that it's such a difference from being Cast and being an Extra. Not that there is anything wrong with being an extra, because I loved it!!!

but the only downside was that the weather was rubbish and the umbrellas just kept up-turning because of the bad wind. 3-4 hours in the rain and wind, but I loved it!

I must say, I think it's more because of the bad weather, but the people on the street were very ill tempered because they just wanted to get indoors! We needed to stop them for a few minutes on either side of the road as we were filming and they didn't look very sixties! With their nokias and haversacks and pikachu umbrellas!! ha! But I think they were more unwilling due to the weather. I'd like to think they aren't always that narky... :)

so yes there you are! thats my day!!


oooh... Audition tomorrow!!! Excited! fingers crossed I hope I get it! xx

Thanks for reading!

Peach out!

xxx

Jimi Hendrix film in dublin

Hello lovelies! Tomorrow I'm going to be doing a bit of work as an extra in the new jimi Hendrix film that is filming in Dublin! And it's of course, a period film set in the late 60's! So this post will be updated tomorrow or the weekend about my experience and the costume fitting! Yay! So watch this space!! Are any of you readers working as extras at the moment? Any interesting stories? Peach out!