TERRE HAUTE —
Lights, camera, no action.
That was the theme for at least part of the day Friday at the filming of “The Drunk,” a motion picture being shot in Terre Haute about a race for Indiana governor featuring the fictional hard-drinking grandson of Eugene V. Debs.
About 175 “extras,” Wabash Valley residents playing more-or-less background roles in the film, showed up at Woodrow Wilson Middle School about 9:30 a.m. Friday. Not until about four hours later were they all finally seated in the school’s majestic auditorium, where a political debate scene was set to be filmed. The extras were to serve as the cheering and sign-waving supporters of rival candidates.
“It’s a neat experience,” said Laura Dickinson of Terre Haute, who was a “primary extra” in the film, meaning she was chosen to be on the “campaign team” of fictional gubernatorial candidate Bruce Frye, one of the main characters in the film. “It kind of gives you insight into what goes on when they make a movie.”
Even when the cameras start rolling, though, the activity plods along at a start-and-stop pace. During an earlier filming for the movie, it was not unusual to have dozens of “takes” of a scene, said Raemie Bowne of Sullivan, another primary extra with previous on-screen acting experience.
The extras, many clutching suitcases containing changes of clothes for different scenes, waited in the middle school’s old gym before the cameras began rolling, talking among themselves for several hours until early afternoon. Some were reading while others rolled their thumbs across hand-held games.
Then, they were called by groups to walk, single-file, into the school’s auditorium. Once inside the auditorium, the extras were instructed to sit in every-other seat, eventually filling most of the middle of the large room.
“I’m going to be a movie star!” said an excited and outgoing Seaaira Bendzsa, 9, of Seelyville, who was serving as an extra with her mother, Rae Bendzsa. “I’m a good singer, too,” Seaaira said enthusiastically.
“This is just a little day trip for me,” said Rebecca Darling, who drove to Terre Haute to take part in the film from her home in Lebanon, Ill.
Many of the extras had no previous filmmaking experience. And despite receiving no pay for their hours of service, they seemed to be enjoying their parts in this rare opportunity.
“I just thought it would be something fun for him to do,” said Angela Morris of Prairieton, who brought her son, Travis Mahurin, 10, to be an extra. “It’s a good experience.”
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@
tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
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Extra faces: Hundreds of "extras" take their places for a crowd shot during the filming of "The Drunk" on Friday afternoon.
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Extra two: Raemie Bone waits in the Woodrow Wilson gymnasium Friday afternoon to appear as an "extra" in the filming of "The Drunk."
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Extra: Laura Dickison participates as an extra during the filming of "The Drunk" at Woodrow Wilson Middle School on Friday morning.
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Quality time: Kash Ahmadi talks with his 12-year-old daughter Layla (left) as they wait for the "action" command from the director of The Drunk Friday afternoon at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. They are participating as "extras" in the movie.
Discussion
Valley residents turn out to be part of ‘The Drunk’
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