Being an Extra in Weekender

On Thursday 23rd September 2010 and Saturday 25th September 2010 me and my media group were extras in a new British film called 'Weekender'. The summary of the film is taken from IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706470//title/tt1706470/. The films well known actors are Jack O'Connell from Harry Brown, Skins and This is England and
"The film is set in 1990. The rave scene has arrived from Ibiza and warehouse parties are exploding across the UK bringing phenomenal wealth to the organisers. In Manchester, best mates Matt and Dylan are in their early 20's and long to be more than just punters. As the government moves to outlaw the scene, it's now or never and they quickly rise through the ranks to join the promoting elite. They are taken on a wild journey from the exclusive VIP rooms of London clubs to the outrageous parties in Ibiza super-villas and the hedonism of Amsterdam. It's everything they dreamed of and more. But as their success continues to grow, they attract a more dark and sinister world. Matt and Dylan start to drift apart as they are forced to question the dreams they set out to achieve and their once solid friendship".

We filmed in a Warehouse in Bethnal Green, the warehouse was near London Fields Pub. The photograph on the left shows the location of the film, we was told that the scenes that we was filming were in a Manchester Underground Rave which explains the english graffiti.

On Thursday we filmed walking in to or out of a club I found it very interesting that there were about twelve shots which overall took just over an hour. Everyone had to same in the position each time we came out again for continuity, there was a fight scene between a gang and security and each shot they had to stay in the same position.

On Saturday we filmed numerous scenes of us in a rave and when the characters spoke the music stopped and we still had to keep dancing. A main prop for the rave were torches which people were told to swing in the air in different directions, in one shot there was a wide shot of just the torches in the air and the UV lights.

This is a photograph of the light and the speaker equipment which was used to pick up what the actors were saying and to only focus on the actors conversation whilst everyone was mumbling because it was meant to be a 'happy' rave were most people knew each other.

The photograph on the right shows the clothing rack which was for extras, although we were told to bring 90s clothes. Below is the list of what we was given to bring.

Weekender Email:

"IMPORTANT - Please do not wear any logos or brands later than 1990 as we will not be able to use them. We can use the following brands: Adidas, Sergio Tacchini, Ellesse, Chipie, so please feel free to wear these.

COLORS: Please bring bright colours (like purple, green, orange, yellow), day-glo colours, black, grey and any metallic colours you might have. Please try not to bring pale colours like white or crème. If you can bring a choice of colours, it would be really helpful!

Clothing Suggestions-

*if you have vintage 1980's items, please bring them!

For Men:
Baggy hoodies, sweatshirts
Baggy tracksuit bottomsJean shorts for men
Baggy T-shirts (with no large logos)
Baggy jeans

Waistcoats

Rayban style sunglasses or old style shades

Headbands and sweatbands

For Women:
Fitted crop tops (think of a small sports bra)

Swimsuits tucked into jeans

Leggings

Cropped denim jacket

Tight fitting stretchy dresses/body-con dresses

Vest tops

Cat suits or body suits
high-waisted jeans or jean shorts
mini-skirts
Shoes can include: plimsolls, Adidas trainers, unbranded trainers & high tops, Converse, Kickers.

If you have a few bits of the following, it would be great if you could bring them (if not, it's ok!!):
Clown masks
skull masks
viking helmets of any kind
helmets with antlers on
military parka coats
biohazard t-shirts or items with biohazard logos
t-shirts with frowning faces on
ripped or shredded t-shirts
hi-viz waistcoats"

I brought a bodycon dress, denim jacket (which I wrapped around my waist) and plimsolls. Whereas Emily and Jessica bought a variety of options consisting of converse, colourful tops and skirts but the costume designer gave them something else to wear. At the end of the day the costume designer take photographs of people three at a time showing what they are wearing because if they film that shot again they need to get some people wearing the same things.

On the right is the make up station where the main cast got there make up done and only a few of the extras. The extras had neon painted on their face to make it seem like it was a 'rave' atmosphere. The make up station was at the end of the room in the corner which was near where the director was sitting I think this was to make sure that the director liked the make up. Also, no one was allowed a side parting so many people had to have their hair in a pony tail, fringe clipped back or bunches.

We were lucky enough to be on the set and to meet the director Karl Golden who has directed The Honeymooners, Belonging to Laura and Pelican Blood. We also met and took pictures with the cast, the photo on the right is with Henry Lloyd- Hughes who is from the BAFTA award winning programme The Inbetweeners and Harry Potter the Goblet of Fire. Below is our photograph with another actor who played the m

ain security guard. From this experienced I learnt that we have to film more shots in a variety of angles and the importance of continuity.