#3 Supporting the Supporting Artists

Supporting artists, background artists, and the crowd are commonly referred to as 'Extras'. The term extras has not been used in the UK film and television industry for some time. I do recall working on a job in or around 2010, and they're asking to be referred to as supporting artists. But I'm not sure when the term 'extra' was discontinued. As an assistant director, we are the people responsible for looking after the SA's from the moment they arrive at the unit base until they leave at the end of the day.When they arrive at the set, they are taken to costume and make-up, then to the film set, where they stand by ready to be on camera.

I have always really enjoyed meeting SAs and chatting with them. When I was a runner, they would be great at giving me advice. Sometimes they were a bit chatty, but that was OK. I have now mastered the art of ending conversations quickly to get back to work. I have made a vast number of SA's from all walks of life, some who were camera operators on the Shining, some who were at the real even when we were re-creating. They too have great stories of being a part of the huge machine that is the film industry.

Most people that work in the industry haven't experienced life as SAs, and they don't know what it is like to come onto a film set without knowing anyone. The majority of the SAs do it as a hobby or a fun day out. I try to make their experience on set as fun as possible while getting the day completed. It is really important to be that when people come they really enjoy them selfs, have a great day and want to come back. Without the background, there would be no one in the shots except the actors, props, and the set. For me, I try to get the best performance from the background, and I truly believe you only get that when they feel like a valued member of the team. It is especially great when we get a round of applause on wrap, and then I know, 'Mission Accomplished'. 

There are some people in the industry that don't think like that; they don't talk about or refer to background in a good way at all. They don't give them enough water or enough time to eat. On a period drama, some of those background artists are in at 3 or 4 a.m. and do not leave until 9 p.m. That is a very long day to be sitting in a corset waiting around without proper hydration. I find that absolutely appalling. On one of my early jobs as a 3rd assistant director, I remember there was an elderly SA; he must have been in his 70's, and he was very tired, and it was very cold. I got him a chair to sit on underneath an easy-up (tent) and made sure he was okay. My first assistant director, who I will not name, shouted at me and told me I was never to do that. He wanted me to take the chair off the elderly man because he was an SA's. No one else needed or wanted the chair. I said no to the first AD and didn't remove the chair. You can imagine how I was treated after that day for the rest of the job—not very well. 

As the first assistant director, I have the duty and responsibility to look after everyone on set, and that means everyone. Everyone is equal, and everyone is important. Without the SA's, there will be a very empty set. I haven't been an SA a couple of times (while working as a runner), and I know what it is like to be on the other side of the camera. It is nerve-racking; everyone is watching, and no one wants to mess up or make a mistake. But sometimes we do, we are all human.

I urge everyone to support our supporting artists. I want our industry to be well-known for its commitment to human rights and care.

Photo 1 - The Rebels - 2016

Photo 2 - My happy Ending - 2021

Photo 3 - The Irregulars - 2020