Perhaps you’ve seen the mayhem in the streets of Chicago during the filming of the Hollywood film, Transformers 3 − the screaming crowds, the smashed-up cars, the rubble from demolished buildings. Or perhaps while walking along Michigan Ave. last September, you heard that famous catchy tune, ‘I Got a Feeling,’ that was blaring while a 20,000 plus crowd were all dancing succinctly in a choreographed production, as the The Black Eyed Peas rocked the makeshift stage, to kick off Oprah’s 24^th season opener. These crowd scenes were comprised of ‘extras,’ everyday people like you and me to enhance a scene or in the case of Oprah’s season premiere, be the star.

Congratulations! You’ve now registered and you’ve been hired to work on a production. Your casting director will provide you with a complete set of instructions including wardrobe, parking, the filming location and a call time for your job. As you approach your filming destination, watch for signs posted by the production company to direct you to parking and extra’s holding.

Extras Holding is the designated waiting area for background actors until they are called on set. In holding, you will meet with a Production Assistant (PA) who will supply you with your payroll voucher and other necessary forms.

If you happened to walk onto the film set of “Public Enemies” you’d find menu items at Bob Elfemans Diner written as American Cheese Sandwich 20¢ and Fried Ham Sandwich 50¢. This was one of the businesses that were fashioned to reflect the 1930’s movie set of Public Enemies.

I visited the movie set in Columbus, Wisconsin and must say it was magical. Two city blocks had been transformed by Hollywood set designers to recreate an authentic 1930’s town. Complete with cobblestone streets, vintage cars and just about every typical local merchant you could think of back in the day. The attention to detail was impressive. Not only had the front of the businesses been transformed but many of the interiors as well. In this picture you can see that Bob Elfeman’s 1930’s Diner was completed on the inside with stools, dishes, menus, and a clock that is set at 4:38.

If background actor, Darlene Kancilja Benigno could sum up her experience on the set of Public Enemies, the title explains it all. As curiosity inevitably strikes us, however, I won’t selfishly keep the details to myself… 

“I was absolutely thrilled,” Benigno said upon receiving the phone call to work on Public Enemies with one of her most admired actors, Johnny Depp. Benigno spoke of her memorable moments conversing with Depp regarding the Chicago Cubs. Depp was talking to another extra about being a Cubs fan when Benigno, an avid Cubs fan herself asked,

On the Set with Matt Damon and Steven Soderbergh Filming “The Informant” in Chicago

Academy award winner Matt Damon’s amazing Hollywood career is without dispute. Ever since appearing on the scene as a screenwriter and an actor, he continues to astonish fans with his exceptional talent. Matt Damon’s latest dramatic thriller, The Informant, has been filming in Decatur, Illinois for the past few months. The filming schedule called for a shoot in Chicago with a May date. My daughter and I occasionally work as background actors in Chicago and were called to play mother and daughter bicyclists along Lake Shore Drive. Unfortunately, Kathrine wasn’t available the day of the shoot, so I was recast to portray a lawyer. My wardrobe called for either a 1990’s double-breasted suit or a two-button suit (remember those?).

College graduation brings images of new beginnings and the eager search for that perfect “first” job. For recent college grads Chris Nolda and Brian Wysocki working in a Hollywood movie wasn’t really part of their imagined plan. Both boys were actively interviewing and job hunting when their casting call came.

Nolda was called in May shortly after his graduation from Kansas State University. Chicago Background Casting asked if he would round up a couple of his friends to portray fans in the upcoming 1960s football movie “The Express”.

(Caption: Chris Nolda, Omar Benson Miller and Brian Wysocki)