Extras Extra

Jake's done movies that have needed hundred and thousands of extras (TDAT and PoP for example) and for Southpaw the call went out all over western Pennsylvania for extras, most to play the part of the crowds for the boxing matches.

So what is it like to play an extra?

Short story - lots of waiting, and long days.

For some making new friends,  and others getting picked out of obscurity.

"John Varescak, of Indiana,(PA) was so enthused about being an extra in the movie that’s being filmed partially in Indiana this month that he took two weeks off work so he would be available.

When he went to the casting call, he got more than he bargained for.
Varescak has been chosen to play a ringside boxing official.

 Varescak said a member of the casting department contacted him to ask if he owns a tuxedo. He does, so he was able to send a photo of himself and a brief biography, and he got the part. He said he was fitted recently for his costume — a burgundy blazer with a white dress shirt, black pants and a tie." - Indiana Gazette

Junk Chuck shared this:

"It was a lot of fun.  I met some cool people, and a lot of weird people–some the kind of weird you expect when folks are mass-hired for temporary, low-wage jobs.  Others just weird in the way that doesn’t necessarily show until we’re thrust together in close proximity, in a situation with lots of down time and a lot of external stimuli to react to.  You’re sitting shoulder to shoulder with people, waiting to watch millionaires play pretend, and it’s pretty natural to look to one side and say, “Hey.” Or “having fun?” Or “sandwiches again for lunch?” The next thing you know, you’ve got a fleeting friendship–you’ve got, um, maybe the best word for it is “buddies.” 

"The process–hundreds of us worked for a week to create what can’t end up being much more than 15 minutes of film, and even that feels long.  The costs are astounding.  Extras salaries alone, not counting overtime and the bounty of food they provided, cost somewhere around $60/minute for 14 hours or more a day (I worked 56 hours last week).  Scenes are filmed multiple times from multiple angles, with long waits for “reversals” when the cameras are flipped from one side of the shot to the other. "

He shared that he's playing  "a reporter at a boxing match. Never watched a movie filmed before–it’s pretty interesting, mostly fun, and super long hours (I’ve got 41.5 hours logged in 3 days). "

And told what he could about what was happening on set.  "Gyllenhaal is doing some serious acting–really impressive stuff. It’s going to be tough to wait a year or more to see how it works out. Not much else I can say, and sorry no pictures; we have to sign confidentiality agreements. They’re already thrown out a couple of people for taking cell pictures."

His week of work ended up being over 60 hours- talk about extra hours.