Retford Ladies Probus Club members reconvened after their summer break and welcomed Mike Newbold to tell them about his intriguingly entitled ‘My Extra Life’, which turned out to be his time as an extra in film and television. They are now called Supporting Artists.
MIke had already been involved in amateur dramatics for 20 years in his hometown of Nottingham. His first experience as an extra was on the set of Last of the Summer Wine where he had two words to say: “Morning Howard”. For this he was paid £25.00. When he retired in 2005 he fancied another foray into the acting world but was curtly told he needed an Equity card and an agent.
An Equity card requires evidence of six pieces of paid work, which he found to be no problem and that duly arrived within four days. Finding an agent was trickier as most of them have about 2,500 hopefuls on their books, the contract is 15 pages long and there were many questions including would he participate in nudity, kissing (either sex), sex simulation, lying dead in a coffin, torture and cross dressing. None came his way. Phew!
There are stipulations. You must never ever be late, never ask for autographs, don’t talk to stars and don’t eat, drink or smoke on set. There are requirements. You must be adaptable, have an understanding of the production process, be uninhibited, be able to take direction and most of all be patient. The advantages are that you have a fun day out, the catering is good, you meet an interesting group of people and you get paid.
Buster Merryfield was a 57-year-old retired bank manager when he was cast as Uncle Albert in Only Fools and Horses. He is the only untrained extra to have landed a leading role so the advice is don’t give up the day job. If you are interested in the art of Pyrography, which is burning designs into wood, then go along to the Club’s next meeting which takes place on Wednesday 8th October, at 10.00am for 10.30am at Westhill Community Centre, Ordsall.