Geeks logo

My First Time Being a TV Extra on 'The Crown'

I've been a writing and directing my own short-films since my teens and am constantly working on my feature film debut script, but I wanted to actually get onto a film set.

By Matt LoftusPublished 6 years ago 7 min read
Like

Trying new things and getting out of your "comfort zone" is something everyone talks about but rarely actually does. Cut back to mid-2015 and I was on the look out for something to do that would dip my toe in the film world and break my cycle of procrastination. I've been a writing and directing my own short-films since my teens and am constantly working on my feature film debut script (2017s the year baby!). However, I wanted to cut through all this and actually get onto a film set but wasn't sure how I could achieve it. It was then that I came across an advert on Facebook for "background extras" for a #perioddrama called #TheCrown filming near where I lived. After emailing my details I soon received a reply and the choice was made, I was going to be in a TV show....oh boy!

Costume Fit

So there I was driving 2 hours to an area near Aviemore in Northern Scotland for a costume fit on a TV show. I was filled with feelings of excitement and utter dread! what the hell was waiting for me at the end of this trip? am I going to meet some BIG stars face to face? More importantly, was I going to have to strip off in front of people for my costume fitting? All these things swirled through my head and made me want to turn my car around and go home. The one thing that stopped me was the thought that if I turned around I'd never know what could have been and it would be even harder to try something NEW next time. So, for better or worse, I fought against my feelings and drove on towards an uncertain situation.

Without my glasses I have no eyes!!

So after being confused a little by my tom-tom which announced that I had "reached my destination" I found myself in a car park at the side of a cycling trail. Looking around I spotted a convoy of big white caravan/trailers parked at the far side and I started in that direction. I was soon ushered into one by a helpful team member while I smiled and looked obviously confused and out of place. I was whisked into the make-up trailer and had my hair cut into a 1950s style by an attractive (slightly manic) woman, I was gutted that she had to take my sideburns off completely. I've always enjoyed having crazy long sideburns, a throw-back to my #DavidTennant fan devotion days I think, so this was a blow to my ego. After seeing my mop well and truly chopped I was sent to another trailer which was the costume department for round 2.

Give me back my side-burns!

Now, I'm no prude-exactly but as soon as I appeared in the doorway I was slightly uncomfortable. There was no changing room or curtain area in this long rectangular wardrobe-on-wheels. There was, however, two young women there to assist the main costume fitter when it was my turn. Well, I figured show no fear and threw on the costume with no outward sign of agitation to the fact I was stripping in front of 3 complete strangers. What the hell, it actually wasn't as awful as it sounds and as an extra I have done this again and again on different sets. So costume fit done, I was awaiting my one and only shoot day.

Ready For My Close-Up

So many extras

So costume sorted I was back at the location 2 days later for the shoot day and I knew, from my inquiries, there was going to be quite a few extras on hand. Well, I like to chat with people but it's that initial meeting that can be a bit stressful as you're not quite sure where you stand. However, I had a good laugh with these random folks from all walks of life. One chap, #GordonMilne, gave me a copy of his novel 'Stay Cheeky' and told me about his career as a writer. This was great to hear about as my own efforts of writing have gone down similar paths.

Hard to tell from this but it is him

Whilst waiting at the main base area, I was having a cup of tea (how English?) and just standing around when I suddenly spotted a VERY familiar face in the crowd. A few feet behind me, leaning into a car window was none other than #MattSmith himself. I was a fan of his bow-tie wearing #DoctorWho exploits and couldn't believe I was within spitting distance. I suddenly turned to my nearest colleague and begin to rant about Smith, to which a couple of people simply went "oh, who's that then?". Being on a set for my first time and fore-warned (in the terms and conditions of the email) not to approach the "talent" unless you've been told I was a bit wary of going across to speak to him. You may think, I'd have gone over, however, it states you can be thrown off set and not get paid so I annoyingly kept my feet stuck to the ground. However, I did snap a picture shortly after as Matt re-emerged, out of costume, to get back in his car and fly back down south to the main production HQ.

ACTION!

See that guy taking pictures? Tell him he's sacked!

Hair thoroughly slicked down, we set out in a cramped minibus to drive the short distance to the set for the shoot. It was meant to be the entrance to Balmoral castle and was made up for the style of the time. It turns out all the extras were playing newspaper reporters staking out the castle and waiting for the queen to arrive (or so we were told). Some got to have those chunky cool looking retro camera's complete with flashbulbs and a few others got radio type equipment. I was left with the last remaining prop...a newspaper. I was still happy just to have something to use in this scene that would make me seem more natural and always try to tinker with something to make my performance more realistic. The scene involved some posh cars driving up to the gates and our job was to crowd around them and chase them up to the gates. Sounds like fun and it sort of was.

The Snap-happy reporters

We shot this sequence about 3 or 4 times in total, this was between frequent pauses to let real traffic come down the roads as they couldn't block it off from the public entirely. As coaches of school trips and old folks went by it must have made a confusing sight, they may have even thought they'd traveled back in time..well if not for the cameras. One take I won't forget involved the cars approaching the gates, extras running and crowding the two vehicles, now I repeated my earlier movements of folding my newspaper as I followed the car. However, this time the newspaper wouldn't fold as it had done previously so I was left running and flapping it around with the aid of a light breeze coming down from the hills. I had to laugh as It felt like a monumental cock-up at the time. However, after only just seeing the scene now in January of 2017, I can honestly say you wouldn't notice. There's, two reasons for that 1) it only lasts a few seconds and 2) it looks like I'm flapping my paper on purpose. You judge for yourself in the short video breakdown below:

On Reflection

All smiles on set....no pictures allowed

So having clocked up a lot of mileage on the car, stripping down to my boxers in front of strangers and flapping a prop newspaper at #TheQueen I had made my debut on a real #TV set. It had been an amazing learning experience and also kind of like a school trip. I saw a celebrity or 3 and even got to prance around in retro clothes, not something you get the chance to do unless you're on a themed pub crawl. After this, I got signed with a regular agency based in Glasgow, Scotland and have worked on other productions like #Outlander, River City and the Churchill movie with Brian Cox. Now, without this day on The Crown, I wouldn't have dared to venture out and travel the lengths and breadths of the country as a self-employed extra. It has given me a confidence boost in my own work as well as with people in social situations. Plus, giving me some insight into the real workings of a film set that will help me in my own future efforts in the industry. Mainly, though, it's been fun and I wouldn't trade my experience on The Crown for anything.

tv
Like

About the Creator

Matt Loftus

Horror-obsessed writer and Filmmaker

Read my ramblings here and see my short films on YouTube:MattLoftus85

My TikTok @mattloftus85

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.