My First Time As A TV Extra

OK so this takes me back to 2018 when I had my very first chance to be a TV Extra.

Having applied online to add my name to a database for ‘Supporting Artistes,’ I was quickly offered several days of work which I politely turned down.

I wasn’t being rude. They were just so spread out. I remember having the chance to work on a huge movie but I had to be free on eight separate occasions spread over two months.

This particular TV Extra job cropped up in North London during the school holidays and it was perfect for me.

I was so excited to be able to visit the set of a big TV drama series, even though I knew nothing about what the series was.

On The Day

I drove all the way to London and stopped off at a petrol station for a wee. I was nervous after all and worried I may not have time to go to the toilet when I arrived.

Driving into the field where the crew mobiles were was daunting. I showed my ID and found a good spot, then made my way over to the reception area.

A helpful third assistant director (3AD) signed me in and reminded me that I would get very little help (so he was glad I was experienced). I immediately told him that I had never been an Extra before and he told me not to say anything.

GREAT! I was having to act right from the start. Pretending to know what I was doing was harder than I could have imagined.

So I made my way to the costume fitting mobile and was greeted by a very friendly dresser who introduced me to a white coat and some brand new Welly boots.

I was then taken over to the make up room where a very chatty lady began trimming my hair and trying to find the right shade of sideburns to stick on.

Before you know it I was bundled into a minibus and driven somewhere else. I had no idea that this wasn’t the actual filming location.

A Disused Hospital

The only thing I knew for sure was that I was filming a scene based in a morgue. I had been told I would be a mortuary assistant in the background of a scene where dead bodies were being looked at.

Arriving at the old hospital, I could see there were many more vans and several people wandering around with head sets on.

Soon I was taken to the room where the make up people looked at the screens to check that the characters looked right. I sat there for a while before eventually being called into the morgue.

Another woman sat next to me and introduced herself as the other Extra. Having another TV Extra to work with who had some experience was a bonus.

After a few minutes a woman came up to me and asked me to go outside with her to sort out my Wellies. She explained that they needed to look aged and she would spray stuff onto them and then scuff them up a bit.

As I stood there with a helpful person scraping away at my boots, a middle aged guy came and stood next to me and lit up a cigarette. He was talking to another man, who I didn’t recognise, that was dressed as a detective.

Drifting off, I suddenly awakened again as I heard him saying, ‘This is different to working on Game of Thrones.’

Game of Thrones was my favourite TV Show!!!

Instantly I found myself studying his mouth and knew that I recognise him but still couldn’t pluck his name out of the air.

‘Cersei…Cersei.’

Suddenly it hit me.

It was King Robert Baratheon himself. My fellow Extra asked him for a selfie and he obliged. I stood starstruck, while my boots were still being scuffed.

He stepped back onto set and I was called to do my first ever bit of background acting.

My hands were sweating but I knew I just had to get on with it. As I approached the incredibly detailed set, I was astonished at just how many people worked there. It was a hive of activity.

More to come in part two…

Stamford – The Crown Filming Location

This weekend I decided to spend an afternoon in a beautiful town in Lincolnshire. I have been there many times before but usually for work reasons or nights out. Having recently noticed that the TV show ‘The Crown’ is based there for the next series, I was intrigued to check out The Crown filming location that they are currently using.

Stamford

There is something very quaint about Stamford because it has a lot of history and a large stately home nearby. The streets are slightly inclined and many of the buildings are very old. With many churches and some beautiful parks, as well as a river (the Welland), this little town is lively, intriguing and attractive. The places to eat are varied too, with lovely tea rooms and even a restaurant offering a tapas selection.

The Crown

In the Autumn the new series of The Crown chose one of the local butcher’s shops to be dressed for a critical scene. It was easy to find this particular location and I am now wondering what is was used for. Clearly it was kept as a butchers but which characters were involved in this scene?

A location recently used for The Crown.

Burghley House was used in many previous projects such as the Kiera Knightley movie, ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ On Sunday I decided to have a walk around the site to refresh my memory. I also thought I might set eyes on a film crew but apparently they don’t work weekends.

This beautiful building was once visited by Queen Elisabeth the first although she was turned around and had to leave due to a smallpox outbreak there at the time. In the new season on The Crown it plays Windsor Castle in the nineties during the challenging years that surrounded Princess Diana’s divorce.

It is such a beautiful building surrounded by what looks like a moat. It is easy to see why it is used to double for royal palaces.

The Welland River

So if you are ever passing this area, definitely check out Stamford, with its historic streets, interesting shops and wonderful stately home. Also, the parking on Sundays is free and there is a main train line running through it from Peterborough and London.

Thanks for checking out my blog. I enjoyed writing about my afternoon in Stamford and look forward to seeing Imelda Staunton playing the Queen in the upcoming season on Netflix. For another couple of Netflix TV show reviews, click here. Please follow my blog for similar future posts.