Racheal - Film Release Date: 2001
- Production Company: A Duck Film Pty Ltd
- Director: Di Drew
- My Role: Background Artist
- IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268358/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
My first on-set experience was as a background extra in the Australian children’s film, Hildegarde, staring Richard E. Grant and Tara Morice. I was only on set for one day, with four other background actors, and we were filming a scene at a hall in Canungra (now the School of Arts Hall) which was supposed to represent a train station from memory. There is no actual train line there – but the shot was only from the front of the hall (station) where the four of us were commuters leaving the station.
As I had already completed some screen acting courses, as well as currently studying an Advanced Diploma of Stage & Screen Acting with the Actors Conservatory at the time, I was somewhat prepared for the downtime between takes that many background artists are often faced with – sitting around waiting patiently to be called by the 2nd or 3rd Assistant Director to be on set. I did take a book with me, as you often have to be quiet – especially if your waiting location is not far from the filming location – but I remember I didn’t read much of it. I did have brief chats with the other background artists, although I don’t remember who they were or what we talked about. Probably just general chit chat.
I remember shooting two different scenes. One where we were coming out of the ‘station’ walking down the front steps, and another where I was walking with one of the other artists, down the street. We had to walk past some bushes where the lead children actors were hiding. Nothing overly exciting I guess in the scheme of things, but as my first ever paid acting role, it was very exciting to me!
The film was released in 2001, and screened at the Brisbane International Film Festival. I remember going along to see it. I don’t know if there was a cast and crew screening, but as I was only a background artist I probably wouldn’t have been invited to that anyway. So the public screening was the first chance I had to see if I made the cut or not. It’s been years since I’ve watch the film now, although I think I have a VHS or DVD copy of it somewhere, and I only remember seeing the second shot where I was walking past the bushes. The camera was focused on the children hiding in the bushes, but I know it was me walking past in the shot because I had to supply my own costume / outfit for the day, and I remember the navy dress I was wearing. So my face wasn’t shown (as you can see in the very short clip further down), but I still made it on the big screen! A momentous day! And I was paid for it! I was officially a professional actor!
