1. Title: Shaun of the Dead
Director: Edgar Wright
Description of Extra: Non-infected person sprinting to save his life.
Appearance by Time Code: 55.04
Scene: The main character (Shaun) is leading his family and friends to the safe haven of the Winchester pub. Briefly, in the very far background the non-infected Extra can be seen bolting across the street attempting to save his own life. The speed, brevity and silence in which the Extra zips across the screen is reminiscent of a shooting star.
2. Title: I’ll Sleep When I am Dead
Director: Mike Hodges
Description of Extra: Caucasian middle-aged man in blue jean jacket and pants adorning a black ski hat.
Appearance by Time Code: 30.21
Scene: The main character (Will) is sitting in a “greasy spoon” style diner and the waitress brings him breakfast. When she sets the plate down, the Extra can be seen sitting at the table directly over her right shoulder. He first looks at his watch, then converses before leaving the diner. He is an absolute natural. Humbling performance.
3 and 4 (respectively)
Title: Ray
Director: Taylor Hackford
Description of Extras: Two Mechanics
Scene: After the first date, Ray is walking home the beautiful lady (who will later become his wife) from the diner. As they pass, there are two mechanics working diligently on the engine of a car. The hood is up and one mechanic is tweaking the engine (all you can see is his posterior) and the other is observing. In this case, each Extra is worthy of high praise. The first has set his ego aside completely and sacrificed any “claim to fame” by inserting only his “ass” into the film. This performance is similar to a baseball player laying down the perfect bunt in the World Series. Remember, There is no “I” in Extra.
The second Extra has perfect hair. The hair alone unmistakably signifies the time period of the 1950’s. Hair is often underutilized – but this Extra’s ‘do supports the entire film.
5. Title: The Manchurian Candidate
Director: Jonathan Demme
Description of Extra: Man with noticeable sideburns sitting at computer in NY Public Library.
Appearance by Time Code: 122.50
Scene: The main character (played by Denzel Washington) is doing research at the NY Public Library. When he begins to “google” search and clicks on the name Atticus Noyle, the Extra can be seen sitting next to him conducting his own searches. Moments later, there is another great shot of this man through the lens of the Libraries surveillance camera. He is NYC in a nutshell.
6. Title: The Blind Swordsman
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Description of Extra: Aging man wearing a wicker basket on is back.
Appearance by Time Code: 49.23
Scene: When the Ginzo gang comes to “collect” from a lovely family, the defensive courageous son futilely attempts to defend his mother and is tossed through the Shoji screen and into the street. At this moment, the Extra can be seen in the middle ground and left side of the screen. He is frozen in his steps and becomes a voyeur to the sword slashing slaying of this young boy. The Extra’s perfect execution of stationary stoicism transforms him into a piece of useless architecture confirming the Ginzo gang’s dominance over the town.
7. Title: Spiderman II
Director: Sam Raimi
Description of Extra: Young man, grey sweatshirt with horizontal stripe across chest eating pizza.
Appearance by Time Code: 3.52
Scene: : Spiderman (in human form) enters a Manhattan pizza joint and begins conversing with the pizza man. In the near background, the Extra can be seen in various shots eating a slice of pizza, sipping his coke and wiping the oil off his mouth. This is considered an Extra “hat trick” and all three are executed flawlessly creating a near perfect performance.
8. Title: Collateral
Director: Michael Mann
Description of Extra: Solitary aging woman, grey hair and glasses, reading a book.
Appearance by Time Code: 147.42
Scene: This Extra is a true team player. Tactically utilized by the director for two separate reasons, this performance deserves much credit. The obvious reason to use this Extra is for scene ambiance, however…the second reason is often overlooked. As we know, all empty subway cars look the same. Therefore, this Extra is used simply as a landmark or “signpost”. Without this demarcation of the space, the chase scene would have absolutely zero drama. Bravissimo!
9. Title: The Terminal
Director: Steven Spielberg
Description of Extra: Asian-American middle-aged male, pilot- white shirt and full head of white hair.
Appearance by Time Code: 1.43:00
Scene: In the airport bar, Tom Hanks learns that “the war is over” and everybody is celebrating. When he sees the woman he is in love with and greets her, the Extra can be seen in the background “chumming” with his two lady friends. As an Extra, he displays very experienced and practiced facial expressions throughout the scene. His final and greatest moment is when he responds to Tom Hanks with a lipped but convincing “what?”. Icing on the cake!
10.Title: Closer
Director: Mike Nichols
Description of Extra: Older woman on a bus reading a book.
Appearance: Early in the film
Scene: when Jude Law and Natalie Portman are sitting in the very back corner of the bus our Extra can be admired. She is sitting in the seat directly in front of them reading a book. The role of an Extra is never an easy task, but this actress may have had the toughest task of the year. How in the world she sat there listening to the most ridiculous piece of scripted dialogue transpire behind her and not crack up laughing? This lady is amazing. When not supporting film environments, she should be participating in the World Series of Poker or lobbying to get Make Me Laugh back on television, where she can make some real money.