For a while, my ride into the city on the Long Island Rail
Road was restful, until the conductor informed me that the train was still a
“peak-time-train” and that I would have to pay the extra money for the
appropriate ticket. I should have taken
the later train and risk missing my call time of 10:30 AM in the Bowery section
of Manhattan. I should know better by
now… that it takes a while to process people and that being late by half-an
hour would be “acceptable”… but I just can’t bring myself to do that. I’m a stickler for keeping my engagements on
time. I guess that would classify me as an obsessive compulsive personality
–but the truth is that I love a challenge and like to achieve my goals as
planned… or in this case, “ordained”.
I arrived camera-ready in my tuxedo at the tightly spaced
holding area of China-town’s Ukrainian church! The PA’s were cordial and smart
so the sign-in processing went fast and soon we were taken over to the set at
the old Bowery Savings Bank (an 1895 Roman Revival landmark desgned by Stanford White). It was yet
another New York City legacy building that had been converted into a
Cipriani-style banquet hall going by the name of Capitale. Huge Corinthian columns on the interior were holding up a vast 65-foot high ceiling above marbled floors that was now complete
with hanging stage lights and speakers.
The scene was to be that of a fundraiser gala for the latest Hollywood version of a New York City mayor… played by Hope Davis in a shapely red
dress. There was no doubt who the center
of attraction was going to be.
I had seen Hope in a successful Broadway play
with James Gandolfini, Jeff Daniels and Marcia Gay Harden (God of Carnage). She was very good albeit the least known of
the four at the time. With a serious
countenance there’s something about her that is reminiscent of a young Hilary
Clinton… a role that Hope already played in "The Special Relationship" back in 2010. Perhaps she's starting to get the ole' political typecast treatment.
Hope and Hillary
The PA’s paired us up with partners to sit at the banquet
tables. My partner was a pretty blond, Nicola, whose origins and consequent accent hailed from South Africa. We chatted it up and felt comfortable with
exchanging acting stories. Although she
had studied and done acting, she confided that this was her first experience as
an extra. When I told her that she
looked a lot like the actress Jessica Chestain, she admitted that she didn't know who that was!?
Nicola
A short time later,
one of the attractive black women standing nearby also remarked to her that she
could easily be a stand-in for Jessica. Now
her interest in Jessica Chestain was really aroused! I expect she'll be IMDB-ing her soon.
Jessica
The woman continued the conversation with my partner, asking if she had
an English or Australian accent. Upon
revelation, the black woman said “So you’re really an African-American!”. Laughter and friendly banter ensued. It was a replay of a former pronouncement
made by Charlize Theron during an interview on a talk show. This gig was a particularly uplifting experience for me since I was constantly paired with attractive women. It brought back memories of when I was a kid going to school,
and how much I got a kick out of sitting next to the prettiest girl in the class room... or anywhere else for that matter!
Soon this show began to roll and we were given direction to
mingle around the party room at various tables.
We were eventually placed next to where Hope Davis’ scenes were taking
place with her “brother” played by Boardwalk Empire’s Charlie Cox.
Charlie Cox
The story line was that he had left the priesthood
in order to become a lawyer so that he could be near to... and protect his sister,
the mayor, from an assassination attempt.
There were kids in the scene and even a baby…. which was a recipe for
lots of repeat takes. That, and the
director’s finicky indulgence toward perfection, made the day… and night
stretch out… to 2:30 AM. 
director RJ Cutler
The subways don’t run too often at this time of the night
and I didn't want to risk missing the last train out of Penn Station –which
might have caused me to wait an extra 2 hours for the trains to begin running
again. I decided to take a taxi to Penn Station and caught the 3:10 AM home for
some well-needed rest. After getting
home at 4:15 AM , I had to check my email first –and lo and behold there was my
confirmation check-in number for tomorrow’s gig on Long Island. By the time I organized my info it was 5 in
the morning and I had to set my alarm clock to 6!
No comments:
Post a Comment