By Tyler McGuigan
A few background actors on location at Vassar College for The Sex Lives of College Girls in July 2021.
Sebastian Deerkop, Willis Williams, Dario Saraceno, Jennifer Arnaboldi, Rachel Konstantin, Kevin Fouhy
Many of you have probably imagined seeing yourself on screen in a movie or television show, and most of you probably thought it would never happen. Well, to my surprise, it is actually easier than I thought to get on the set of a high-profile, big budget production. The best way to do it is to apply to be a background actor. There are so many television productions happening in the Hudson Valley that it is easy to land a gig as a background actor because these productions will hire almost anyone, as long as they are vaccinated. I recently landed my first background acting gig this summer for The Sex Lives of College Girls, the new HBO Max show produced by Mindy Kaling. I never thought I would get the chance to be an extra for a TV show, let alone an HBO Max show, nor did I think that I ever wanted to be one. I’m a film student at Marist College who’s been looking to be behind the camera, not in front of it. However, I heard about the casting call through my internship with the Hudson Valley Film Commission, and I thought “why not?” and applied.
Tyler McGuigan (Marist 2022)
The great thing about being an extra is that you don’t even have to be in a union to be one, though you won’t get paid as much as the union actors. That was fine by me, though, because the pay is still really good for non-union actors. I was only on set for two days and still made a decent amount of money, and most of the time I wasn’t doing anything. Still, what’s more valuable than the money, in my opinion, is the knowledge you gain about film and TV production. As someone who dreams of working on movies, I learned more about production from two days of background acting than I ever learned from school. For instance, I learned that they usually queue the background before queuing the actors on set so that the scene is moving when the characters begin their lines. Nothing beats getting real experience. That reason alone is why anyone who is looking to get into the film/TV industry should work as a background actor.
Another great aspect about background acting is the people you meet while doing it. I had the pleasure of meeting so many friendly people while also seeing some familiar faces from my college among my fellow background actors. Even the crew was nice to us and looked out for us, which seems to be a standard. Even though you may be neglected by the viewer when they’re watching your scene on TV, you won’t be neglected on set. If you’re lucky, you might even get the chance to meet a star. In one scene in The Sex Lives of College Girls, I got to walk right past Pauline Chalamet, no more than two feet away from her, while I was carrying a box pretending I was helping move my brother into college. I believe it was one of the first scenes of the show. In addition, I had the privilege of meeting Gavin Leatherwood, who you may know from the Netflix show Sabrina. What was funny, though, was that I didn’t know who he was at the time. He was by the bathrooms when I saw him, and he was talking to one of the background actors I made friends with, so I thought he was a background actor, too. I went up to him and gave him a fist bump and said “What’s up man. I’m Tyler,” and he told me his name was Gavin. It was then that I was told he was actually one of the actors for the show, and about an hour later I was in a scene with him in which he was runnin with his shirt off. The people I met on set were all great people, and I could see myself being friends with all of them, so not only is being a background actor a learning experience, but you make great connections along the way.
You’ve read my thoughts about background acting, but here is what other people have said about it, as well:
Amy Hutchings, Laurent Rejto and Rita Powers
Photo: Chuck Merrihew
"In my opinion background actors are integral to every scene they appear in. If not for the long hours and dedication of the BG, the authenticity of scenes would be void. The scene comes to life with the BG!!!!" –Rita Powers (Rita Powers Casting)
“I love casting the actors who create the 'atmosphere' in a scene. These actors lend a sense of 'reality' to a film and they are an essential factor in the telling of the story. It's a special breed of actors who are dedicated to background work. They love the work, the camaraderie, and are excited to see the finished product that they collaborated in. There is humility in background acting. You might end up as a blur in the background or maybe as a person having a dinner conversation with a friend in a restaurant. Either way, the background would feel barren without background actors.” –Amy Hutchings (Amy Hutchings Casting)
Heidi Eklund - Hudson Valley Casting
"If there weren't background actors in the shows and films we watch on a daily basis, our hair would stand up on the back of our necks... we would think we were watching a horror, or that something was drastically wrong in the scene or in the world of the show or film... like that amazing scene in 28 Days Later, when the streets of London were completely empty. Similar to our own recent pandemic lives, where many of us experienced those moments where no one was out and about where they normally would be, something is wrong with the world when we don't see the life that is lived by the other humans to whom we are connected. Those amazing background actors who remind us of how we are all connected and work as a group to tell all the other parts of the story that we aren't focused on; we are so grateful for your work. We are grateful for your presence, and how you help to tell the whole story and create a whole world of life ." –Heidi Eklund, Casting Director
Emma Tizzano (Marist 2021) and Sierra Slaughter
“The Sex Lives of College Girls was such a great experience for me. It was my first time as an extra and we always did something different. It’s so amazing knowing all of the hard work and time go into making great art and in the Hudson Valley? A win/win.”
–Sierra Slaughter
“One of the best things about working on set of The Sex Lives with College Girls was getting to meet so many like minded, creative individuals. Also, being on set was incredible! I had no idea just how much effort goes into one day of production. I just kept thinking about what it’d be like to be on crew. They get to work way earlier and leave later a lot later. The dedication was astounding!” –Emma Tizzano (Marist 2021)
“When I moved out of the city to Putnam County, I was asked to volunteer on a movie called What Breaks the Ice. I had the opportunity to hang out with one of the producers and we arm wrestled while we sat in holding, went method rave danced in our transport van, and played massive amounts of UNO. This kind of camaraderie that is built while working "in the trenches" with fellow actors on hot/cold days, out of season wardrobe and unusual situations, makes it completely WORTH IT. Plus, these are the experiences that you pull from when you were just laughing with your pals in holding and now you are taken to set with little notice and are taken to an intense situation and need to look sad, serious or something other than happy.
Jennifer with Willoughby Pyle at recent iPark mixer
Photo: Chuck Merrihew
“Since COVID, I have enjoyed the fact that I don't have to go all the way to Brooklyn to work since there is so much work here in the Hudson Valley! I am so grateful for all the hard work Laurent does to entice the productions up to this gorgeous place! It is fun going to work on set, as you always get to run into someone you know. This summer, I ran into the 2nd 2nd that I had worked with two years ago on The Hunters with Al Pacino on the set of The Sex Lives and College Girls. While working on that production, I also ran into an old college buddy. It’s always a good time on set when you can run into old friends or meet new ones.” –Jennifer Arnaboldi
Mark Ruffalo with De'Juan "D.J." Encarnacion
“My first experience as a background Extra was two years ago on I Know This Much Is True. Everything was well organized and started promptly. The set production assistants were very welcoming and treated me the same as others. I am happy they didn't give me special treatment because I am in a wheelchair. If I needed help they told me to ask and they would help me. I also had the chance to meet Mark Ruffalo. He was very cool and down to earth.
“The second experience was recently on the The Sex Lives of College Girls set. The first day there was a huge thunderstorm. The production assistants told everybody to take cover. The thing was that I don't drive and I took an Uber in so I asked a PA where I should take cover. They told me to go under one of the COVID testing tents until the rain eased up. The campus was hilly but a challenge I was happy to tackle. Also, the food truck caterers remembered me from the I Know This Much Is True. Also, I was grateful to the crew and PA's for treating me the same way as others. I also had the chance to meet Sherri Shepherd. She is so sweet and funny.” –De'Juan "D.J." Encarnacion
Joy Campo-Decker
“I recently spent a week working on The White House Plumbers at Umbra. It was super impressive to say the least! The makeup tent, wardrobe tents, covid testing, and food trucks, were outside, and the interiors were used for holding and the stages. Our set was a replica of parts of the US Capital building. The set design was amazing. My scenes involved walking down a narrow hallway past Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux who were plotting loudly, as they prepared to enter John Dean's office. It was a week of great encounters in the Capital hallways! Wonderful people everywhere, from covid techs to director David Mandel. I was really glad to get this gig.
“This summer, I also worked at Vassar College on Mindy Kaling’s The Sex Lives of College Girls. I cannot say enough about how grateful I am when I can work locally and return home at a decent hour.” –Joy Campo-Decker
Kevin Fouhy on location at Vassar College
“I have been doing background work for almost three years now. I was introduced to extra/background work back in early 2019. I played a businessman waiting for my plane at Stewart Airport, and I also got to use two of my classic cars. It was for the HBO production of I Know This Much Is True, produced in part by Mark Ruffalo. I have also worked a few 1 and 2 day gigs, and recently finished up over three weeks on the set of the new HBO series The Sex Lives of The College Girls coming out this fall. It’s so much fun getting to make new friends, going to new places in this beautiful Hudson Valley that we live in, and, best of all, getting paid! I can’t wait for the next one.” –Kevin Fouhy
“After I retired from IBM in 2012, I responded to a Film Commission announcement of an open casting call for background actors. I was cast as a funeral attendee in We Are What We Are, an Indie film being shot in Margaretville. I was hooked! Over the years, I’ve worked on student films, TV shows and movies. I’ve filmed in both the Mid-Hudson Valley and in NYC and accumulated the credits to join SAG. As more and more productions found filming in the area attractive, I’ve been able to work almost exclusively in the Mid-Hudson Valley. One of my most memorable experiences was with The Plot Against America. In the fall of 2019, the HBO production team planned to shoot some scenes locally. I was cast as a ‘Jewish Store Owner,’ a man who watches his dry goods store burned to the ground by the KKK. Unusual for me, I was personally prepped by the director, ‘bloodied’ by the head of makeup, and filmed by a dedicated cameraman as I stood, somber and dejected, handcuffed to a town police car. While the closeups of me weren’t used in the aired episode, I was thrilled to be included in one of the tensest, most chilling, and pivotal scenes of the series. It was one of the best experiences of my career, and the scene was shot a reasonable drive away, in Bloomville.”
“I’m vaccinated and glad to follow industry COVID protocols. Since May, 2021, I’ve worked in Troy, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie on three different HBO productions. I look forward to more background acting in the Mid-Hudson Valley." –Norman Aaronson
Aaronson in background (left) during disturbing KKK scene for The Plot Against America
“Coming to the Hudson Valley to attend New Paltz College in 2017, I had a dream to be part of the team that makes movies! With dreams of acting and a respect for all aspects of production, I was so pleasantly surprised to find a huge influx of film productions thanks to the Hudson Valley Film Commission. I found my way in would be to be in the background. Amy and Heidi from Hudson Valley Casting made my dreams come true, and the next thing I knew I was painted up like a Zombie attacking Bill Murray and Adam Driver in The Dead Don’t Die!
Joe Davis
“Since then, I joined the Screen Actors Guild and have worked on Several productions including Skin, I Know This Much Is True, Can You Keep A Secret, The Hating Game, and many more. This year, I was able to get my first ever speaking role in a SAG-AFTRA production in The Green Veil! As an independent filmmaker myself, there is nowhere I would rather be than observing the many professionals on a movie set. I learned so much from witnessing these huge sets in action.
“My favorite of all time was as a core background actor in the new Todd Strauss-Schulson comedy that takes place in a meditation retreat called “Silent Retreat”. I could not believe I was getting paid to meditate, walk around in the sun, eat delicious food, and connect with some incredible people. These film jobs have helped me fund my personal projects like directing my improv theater troupe out of New Paltz— Happenstancery Improv!” –Joe Davis
If you are interested in being a background actor, the Hudson Valley Film Commission posts casting calls for local productions at www.facebook.com/hudsonvalleyfilmcommission
“In addition to having the opportunity to be on set and experiencing how a Film and TV production works, it’s important to understand how much economic development results from hiring background actors,” adds Hudson Valley Film Commission executive director Laurent Rejto. In 2004, War of the Worlds spent more than a quarter million dollars on background extras for the ferry scene in Athens. This summer, more than a 1000 background extras were hired for The White House Plumbers, The Sex of College Girls, Life and Beth, and about ten other projects. The indirect spending that results from background actors traveling in the area is also enormous. Many stop at local stores to buy supplies, drinks, food, gas, and some who travel far, rent hotel rooms. It’s a win win for the region.”
Keep an eye out for posts regarding indie films and popular TV shows from HBO Max, Hulu and others. If you want to be a part of those productions, definitely apply sooner rather than later. Their most recent post for Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, reached a quarter million people. Once I get back to Marist, I will definitely sign up to be a background actor again because I had so much fun the first time, so hopefully I’ll see you on set!
The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that helps productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! Since 2000, the film commission has supported and worked on over 500 productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and over $275 million in regional economic development.
Support our efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support
SELECT Mid-Hudson Valley productions:
To view full list or to stream regional films, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO) • Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project (NBC Universal) • Pretty Little Liars (HBO) • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Crumb Catcher • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Porcupine • The Hating Game (BCDF) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)• Save Yourselves • I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix) • Scare Me • A Quiet Place 2 (Paramount) • Can You Keep a Secret? (BCDF) • Depraved (IFC Films) • Panic (Amazon Prime) • High Maintenance (HBO) • Shirley (Killer Films) • Driveways • The Dead Don't Die (Focus Features) • Avengers: Endgame (Marvel Studios) • The Irishman (Netflix) • The Climb • Swallow (IFC Films) • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place (Paramount) • Fabled • Then Came You (BCDF) • Furlough (IFC Films) • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane (IFC Films) • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times • The Seagull • HAPPYish (Showtime) • The Ticket • King Cobra (IFC Films) • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July (IFC Films) • Katie Fforde Films • True Story • The Sisterhood of Night • The Better Angels • We Are What We Are • The Bourne Legacy • Frances Ha • Our Idiot Brother • First Winter • The Last Keepers (BCDF) • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding (IFC Films) • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock (Focus Features) • American Gangster (Imagine Entertainment) • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint (National Geographic) • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds (Dreamworks) • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity