Jerzei Collie's journal

My dad rented the movie "Imagine That" from the library. This was the movie in which I was a paid background extra (Its working title at the time was "Nowhereland.") I was a pedestrian in some scenes and a driver in others. I was hoping at least one scene where I could recognize myself would make it into the final picture, but it didn't happen.

0:08:38 Red car in background might be mine?
1:34:03 Not seen, but I was in the enclosed wooden construction sidewalk in this scene.

I received my paychecks for the "NowhereLand" shoot. I received a total of $175.07.

I should have asked for Wednesday off. My second day of work as a movie extra for "NoWhereLand" was from 7 a.m.-6:45 p.m., then I drove home and got maybe an hour of sleep before heading to work tonight. I had taken some pictures with my cell phone camera on Monday, so I'll try to post them later.

Monday's shoot was from 8:30-7:00. I was a background driver that day, so I had to drive my car around several times. The scenes being shot that day were at a mansion near 17th Avenue and Grant Street. The extras' cars drove south on Grant, then turned left on 16th Avenue, headed north on Logan Street to 18th Avenue, and back to Grant. The trek was occasionally tough since we were mixed in with the regular traffic, which wasn't aware of our route.

Today was my turn as Street Pedestrian #16. The scenes were shot in downtown Denver, and mainly involved walking back and forth along sidewalks and in a wooden construction sidewalk. During the wooden sidewalk scene, I got to see one of the car chase scenes performed by Eddie Murphy's stunt double. Later, the car was attached to a truck containing the film crew so they could shoot the close-up scenes with Eddie himself (looking into the windshield from the hood.) I had left my cell phone at home this time, so I didn't get any pictures, but the extras were all standing about 25-30 feet away from Eddie.

In another chase scene, "stunt Eddie" had to turn right to avoid a road construction crew, then continue down the street. The crew did three takes filming the scene with the extras. During one take, I jumped to the side a bit because I wasn't expecting the car to come so close to the curb. In another take, I simply looked over at the car. If either take is used in the final film, look for a fat guy wearing a tan jacket, plaid shirt and black pants carrying a briefcase.

Speaking of the jacket and clothes, MAN WERE THEY HOT! The scenes we shot were supposed to take place in late-Fall/early-Winter. But it's tough maintaining that illusion when it's 75-80 degrees outside and I'm dressed in a heavy jacket and flannel shirt. The breeze took some of the heat off, and a couple of scenes were filmed in the shade. Everyone was told to bring two outfits, business and casual, with medium to dark earth tones. I brought my tan suit, along with a tan shirt and black pants. The wardrobe people decided to put me in the plaid flannel shirt (maybe that's all they had in my size) but keep the black pants. The driving scenes weren't as bad because I could turn on the air conditioner in my car.

The caterers did a pretty good job of feeding the cast and crew. The first day they served roast chicken, salmon and prime rib with a salad and dessert bar. The second day offered chicken, ribs, spaghetti, chocolate cake and ice cream. The "holding area" for the extras was at the Bash nightclub at 19th and Blake streets. The place looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages, and the bathrooms were just nasty.

Despite the long hours and the "hurry up and wait" situations, I had a great time. If I do this again, I'll be sure to wear my sneakers instead of my dress shoes. My feet are still throbbing.

I got a call back from the movie extra people (right in the middle of the KRCC meeting.) I'll be working on October 1st and 2nd. I called my Metro boss and left him a message about needing both days off (shooting begins at 6 a.m.) Hopefully he'll get back to me tonight or tomorrow to let me know he got the message.

I have an opportunity (if I'm selected) to make some extra money later this month. I just read a story about a casting call for extras this weekend. The extras will be used in Eddie Murphy's new movie "NowhereLand," which is filming in Denver. If anyone in or around Denver is interested, information is available and the application form may be downloaded at www.DenverExtras.com.