IamA Extra in Star Wars The Force Awakens AMA!

Will you sign my "Nameless Extra" Star Wars action figure MIB?

MIB? Sorry! Confused! Haha. I know some of the guys are booking for signings already. Not my cup of tea, but I'll sign stuff if people want it!

MIB = Mint In Box :D (or Men In Black, your choice, really)

Haha! If you really wanted!

What is Abrams like as a director from what you can tell? Where does his focus lie when making changes to a shot, scene, performance?

How did you get the job?

How long were you on set?

What was your favorite moment on or off set (spoiler free, of course)?

What is Abrams like?

By far and away the most inspiring person I have met in the film industry. There were times when he would just stop us all and say "Guys... We're making Star Wars". In terms of style though, we could certainly tell that his focus was energy. A potentially dull dialogue scene was transformed by his choice of shot and his constant optimism. Performance wise, he had the patience of a saint. I remember a particular scene where one actor just wasn't giving him what he wanted. I have seen directors get furious very quickly over this, but Abrams just smiled all the way through. Totally knows how to get the best out of actors.

How did I get the Job?

Through an extras casting agency. I was just the right shape!

How long was I on set?

I seem to remember counting my days recently and it was 19 or 20. Each of those averaging at about 10-12 hours!

What is my favourite moment?

I met a lot of great fellow background artists. But I have to say the stand out moment was the first time I saw Harrison Ford on set.

Wow, sounds like Abrams is a pretty stand up guy. I'm sure he did a great job

Whole heartedly agree.

I seem to remember counting my days recently and it was 19 or 20. Each of those averaging at about 10-12 hours!

Well, I played the extra you can see in the trailer and some other masked roles. I'm afraid I can't tell you how much screen time I had as I haven't seen the movie yet! But I can guarantee it probably all boils down to less than a second or two. Haha!

You were on set (and paid?) for 200 hrs... for 3 seconds of screen time?

And now you see where the money goes... Haha!

So... did you see any Gungan force chocking someone during a scene ? blink twice if yes.

Has seizure

Did you feel like you were really in the starwars universe and not just an extra? How engrossing were the sets?

Yes. The first day I walked onto the set was breathtaking. Nothing can prepare you for how real these sets are. They had a team from bioFX who were grating moss flown in from forests in Belgium for the floor. As far as I was concerned, I was there. Huge amount of effort, a lot of which will go un celebrated! So here's to those guys!

They had a team from bioFX who were grating moss flown in from forests in Belgium for the floor.

To think, how much money, effort, and time goes into every process that involves that mossy floor, for probably only a few minutes of screen-time that isn't even the object you're focused on...

Utterly amazing.

mild spoiler question - is harry potter really a wizard?

No... But he does manage to make it to Mordor!

Can you tell us what extra you played and how much screen time you had?

This guy?

Yep!

Is John Boyega as nice and funny in real life as he is in interviews?

Yes definitely! Made him laugh with a very inappropriate comment just before I do that silly walk.

Well, I played the extra you can see in the trailer and some other masked roles. I'm afraid I can't tell you how much screen time I had as I haven't seen the movie yet! But I can guarantee it probably all boils down to less than a second or two. Haha!

Where is the Rebel base?! TALK

Just off the M25.

I can't get over the fact that it was filmed in the UK. So many films are filmed in far off parts of the world. Lots of sand and dust. It's nice to see a movie at amidst greenery and rain.

Some of the costumes were still full of sand from Abu Dhabi when we put them on!

Damn I'm in Abu Dhabi right now. Do you know where exactly it was filmed?

Sorry, no.

Could you please post an image of yourself holding up a piece of paper with your username and "/r/IAmA" written on it. Linking to a site doesn't really prove your claim.

Absolutely! Here you go! Imgur

Have you met/spoken to any of the main cast?

I had breakfast with Anthony Daniels on one of my first days there. I had no idea who he was! But he sat and had breakfast with me. Really down to earth guy and seems to love talking to the extras. He would ask us all what we do for a living and really try to get to know us.

I had minor interaction with the other cast members (smiles/nods etc) but they were all too iconic and intimidating for me! Plus, they're working... As an actor myself, that feels like walking into the CEO's office without an appointment.

What were your qualities that landed you the role?
Height/weight/hair/eyes etc.

5'11", around 12 stone, long hair (so they can do what they'd like with it) and eyes didn't really come into it... Honestly though, the real secret was being easy to work with and eager to please, as in any job!

You worried about getting in trouble with disney for doing this AMA?

Yes and no. They're obviously scary. However, now that the movie is out, there are people sharing their involvement on all kinds of social media.

If they want to get in contact I would be the first to bow to their demands. I have loved working on this film and wouldn't want anyone to have a sour taste! (RIP OP)

How was the food?

Ridiculously good. I'm talking steak, lobster, any kind of pasta. Freshly made pancakes to order, breakfast burritos. It was the real deal.

Nice. Sounds like background was eating the same food as the crew, as least when you were on set. I've worked as an extra quite a bit. It's all about the food!

Definitely.

Did you get to keep any souvenirs or props from the film?

Absolutely categorically no. Haha. Maybe one day I'll go back and buy my costume from the Indiana Jones style Lucasfilm warehouse...

"Top... Men..."

Did you like the movie ?

I haven't seen it yet! Can you believe it?! Haha. Booked in for tomorrow.

Having seen the amount of work that went into it, I can't imagine I wouldn't like it.

You're playing a dangerous game, OP.

Oh...? In what sense?

The spoiler sense. I hope you have a keen one. Apparently the Spoil Party's been campaigning pretty hard lately.

Ah! I see. Yeah... This wasn't the best idea BEFORE I'd seen the film.

Being on the Internet before the movie comes out is pretty much a guarantee that someone is going to spoil the movie for you. Apparently, anyways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVSlE28hOgI

Were the assistants treated humanely on set?

As far as I was aware. Obviously it's a hugely stressful environment. I'm sure some people got snapped at! But I know for example that Carrie Fisher's assistants absolutely loved her. She is totally charming.

Did you play in any cool roles? Example- Rebel soldier, some civilian or a stormtrooper?

All of the above. I joked that the waistcoat character seen in the trailer is actually way out of his depth. I was one of the only ones in that costume on set and wasn't allowed a gun. As far as I was concerned I was an intern doing Alliance admin...

How difficult was it to see/navigate while in a stormtrooper costume (provided you did indeed play that role)?

Difficult. Obviously you'll forgive a world of problems to wear the suit, but it's the hardest costume I've ever worn. In essence, you have to try and map out your route before you out the helmet on, and then hope the force guides you...

How big of a star wars fan are you? Have you been into it your whole life, making this some sort of a dream come true for you, or was it just something that kinda just happened?

I was just the right age to catch Episode I when it came out. This was my experience of Star Wars...

Haha. I could lie and tell you I'm a lifelong fan, but in reality I'm more just aware of the films in a pop-culture sort of way. I like them, don't get me wrong! But I'm not a superfan.

Having said that, when I was told what it was, I did shriek like a little girl.

Haha. That's the only sensible reaction, in my opinion.

Funnily enough, I was doing my dissertation in the University of Birmingham Library when I found out.

I tried to carry on writing, I really did.

I'm at work in Utah right now. My first showing for the movie is tonight at 10:30. I'm bringing my daughters to their first ever Star Wars in the theater experience ... and I cannot focus at all. I don't know how the hell you could have possibly continued writing a dissertation once you found out. I would have just picked up my stuff, walked out of the library, and then started screaming like a little girl.

tl;dr version: you're a better man than I am.

I hope they enjoy it! It was certainly hard!

Is there a device on set that makes the lens flares in preparation for the actual ones they'll CGI in later?

What actually happens is after each shot a disco ball is lowered from the ceiling and they get a clean shot to CGI in after.

really ...? cuz that's kinda cool. i can just see a Bee Gees party breaking out as soon as the director says, "aaaand scene."

True story - the script supervisor once made us all dance in a big circle at the end of the day!

Hey Torin is Daisy Ridley as beautiful as she is in real life as on the screen?

Funnily enough she plays Unkar Plutt in the movie too, but without make up. You'd never have guessed it, but you heard it here first.

Jk she's fucking gorgeous.

Are you aware of any, what could be considered, really good spoilers or key plot points? Obviously not asking for you to share them, but do you have that knowledge that others would have loved to know the past year or so?

If so, has it been tearing you up inside not to tell anyone?

Bear in mind I wasn't even officially allowed to tell my parents what I was doing. I have been sitting tearing my hair out watching all the leaks! I knew some major spoilers.

As tempting as it was to share them, JJ's insistence on "Star Wars Family" meant I didn't WANT to share them. I wanted (and still do!) people to enjoy the film spoiler free!

What was the production and the crew like? What was J.J. Abrams' process like? Did he talk to actors privately or did he do it another way? Were there alot of suits from Disney checking up on things?

JJ has an amazing relationship with an assistant director called Tommy Gormley. He deserves huge credit. He has this piercing Scottish voice, and is the man who got shit done. He was very funny, but my god you wanted to please him. He was the one who talked over the "God Mic" whilst JJ would go and quietly talk to the cast. Not in a "whisper so no one can hear us" way. He was happy for everyone to hear!

The production crew had similar feelings to the extras I think. They just really wanted to make a good movie, and as a result everything seemed to work like clockwork. There was one particular day that was hell (the rally scene) but we all came out smiling in the end! Certain things have to be done on film sets no matter how painful and time consuming to get the finished article right.

I'd love and hate to AD a film like this. I work as an AD often, but I can't imagine on this scale.

Hopefully see you some day! Haha. There is a special look of fear and control in the eyes of an AD on a film like this. Especially on big crowd days. I have been asked if I fancied stepping up. No. Haha!

Haha. I love being an AD. You're basically just allowed to be an asshole all day. I mean a good AD knows when to be stern, but can't be everyone's friend. The stereotype is that we all die at 55 though. Apparently no AD lives past it.

How many AD's did they have on the big crowd days?

I think if you went in with the right mind set you could feel like you smashed it every day! Very satisfying. I think I would love it... But when you're asked out of the blue it scares you off!

Big crowd days it was maybe 4 or 5. But normally a core of 2.

Can you comment on how much you were paid?

Meh. Maybe it would be inappropriate to discuss actual figures. I would rather leave it by saying we were paid very well and in line with the industry!

Did you feel a bit nervours while on set at all? Since it being a really big movie and all that.

Absolutely. The first few takes my heart was pounding. After all, extras work is such a mind fuck for an actor. You're so close to where you want to be and yet so far from getting there.

We were definitely aware we were making cinema history. That was where the nerves came from. There was absolutely no fear of a tyrannical AD or DoP or anything of that nature. We were constantly referred to as "Star Wars Family" and the fear was simply letting ourselves down in the context of the biggest film of all time. Hopefully we delivered!

Which Star Wars movie is your favorite?

Attack of the Clones.

Only joking... I have to say Ep VII obviously. And I haven't even seen it yet!

Why are you walking so oddly?!

Caught off guard... I had been talking to John Boyega about Identity School of Acting just before the take. They wanted me to overtake that group of soldiers walking past but each take they got closer and closer. What you don't see in that shot is me falling into them and them going over like dominoes.

Please tell me the domino take made the final cut!

Haha! We looked clumsy almost every take! Didn't realise we were out of frame though so tried to style it out...

Were there any prominent actors who were particularly scary on the set? As in they just left you in awe and you were afraid to approach them?

I was afraid to approach any of them! It's just not the done thing... But particularly Harrison Ford. I was brought up on Indiana Jones. What he did for the "Male Lead" genre is unique in my eye. Total hero.

Besides your fellow actors how much in your scene was real i.e. not CGI?

They were so keen on keeping everything real. As I haven't seen the movie it's difficult for me to say... However, what I would say is that I felt like I was there. As far as was humanly possible, CGI was used rarely.

how did you get the part? Like, did they approach you? Did you see an ad for it? etc

There was a lot of talk in the right circles about who would cast the background roles. I happened to pin my hopes on the right agency!

Which agency? ^{I'maskingforafriendPM me please}

It would be irresponsible for me to say I'm afraid! They don't have exclusivity. The information is out there my friend. Seek and you shall find!

Did you at any point think "This is too much of an ANH remake, Abrams is not risking enough and instead making it too safe of a movie"?

No. I don't for one moment think Abrams was playing it safe. Certainly, as a Star Wars fan himself, he was looking to emulate the lure of the original films. He was meticulous. However, at the end of the day there is that famous literary saying that all great stories can be boiled down into The Seven Basic Plots. Maybe he just came in one early... ;).

Are you trying to pull an Alexander Rhodes here and get top billing? I sure hope you are. And I sure hope it works.

edit: The Jack Reacher extra from a couple years back.

In all my heart, I want nothing more than to be an actor. It's just about taking this kind of work with a pinch of salt. As fun as it is, it isn't acting. I see it like a paid internship in the film industry - you can learn a great deal about what it's like on set, but you have to treat it like any other job you use to fund acting. It isn't your route to Hollywood but by god you can make the money do some work by paying for classes/head shots/showreels etc.

In all seriousness though, making your way in this industry is like banging your head against a brick wall. Last time I looked I think my IMDb star rating was somewhere below 500,000...

this Alexander chap clearly played the game properly. ONE DAY DAMMIT.

Was the way you are walking in the trailer your choice or theirs?

Haha. I was just told to walk from A to B. Any responsibility beyond that is for the editors to decide what goes on the cutting room floor!

How many days did you sit on your hands?

I worked for 20 days.

So 20 days. Haha!

Are you Simon Pegg?

... Naaarp?

How does it feel to have parts of the movie spoiled for you?

Mildly upsetting, but I'll still enjoy the film!

Hello Torin! I work for FakingStarWars.net a parody news site. Can you tell us about some funny things that happened on the set? Thanks! -JJsCat

Also the time a fellow extra loudly farted in a massive set in the far background. The guys around the main action couldn't hear, but we we're in fits trying to walk normally!

Hi JJsCat. Sure! One of my favourite things was just JJ one day saying "Okay everyone uh... Remember... It's energy energy energy. That's the most important thing. Always. 100% energy!"

We all looked around at each other taking in his enthusiasm, and they he just swivelled on the spot, pointed a finger at us, and said "But NEVER... Let energy overcome quality."

What was a typical day like for you and fellow extras? A lot of hurry-up-and-wait type thing?

Certainly a lot of that! But we were all so excited that there was enough chat to keep us going. Turning up at 6am to get on set for 10am etc.

wow, That Is So cool! I'm on the bus on my way in to work, a much less historic or cool job than yours I might add. I want you to know my daughter is only 6mo old but yours will be her first in theater movie! So here's my two questions, first, why haven't we seen luke in the previews? And second, what's the biggest mistake, OR memorable thing you witnessed on set?

In regards to the Luke question, I think you overestimate my involvement!

And most memorable thing, like I say, was first seeing Harrison Ford. Although any time first walking onto a set has got to be up there too!

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SPOILER!

Couldn't tell you. My writing credits were limited...

Was the movie shit like the rest of them?

No.

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SPOILER!