My Small-Screen Debut: The Killing 2x05

[hells_half_acre]

Here'a little peak behind the curtain at the cost and time involved in filming a TV show...

As many of you may remember, I sometimes do a little "background work" on the side, and in February, on an atypically somewhat sunny day, I went to work on The Killing, which airs on AMC in the States.

My episode aired on April 22nd! I had forgotten all about it until missyjack inquired about it last night. So, 10 minutes later, thanks to a particularly quick torrent, I scanned through the episode to find myself...

Ready?! 



That's right! Those are my lovely black trouser-covered legs in the background, with my left hand and my favourite brown jacket. I'm on screen for approx. 2 seconds, as I walk across frame from right to left.

So, what does this teach us?

I was on set for approx. 5 hours, and as a non-union background performer, I was paid just over $11 an hour....and I was on film for 2 seconds.

So, the next time you are watching something with a "crowd" scene that only lasts a few seconds...think of ALL THE MONEY.

Comments

[mekina.livejournal.com]

Very neat! And well paid, too. Hah.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's a fun thing to do! But you can see why TV productions try to use as few extras as possible...and actually, watching that little tiny scene, I think out of the 10 people who were there, only 3 or 4 made it into the final cut. (which is a shame, there was a guy doing a great phone bit in the background and the camera angle doesn't even show him. :P )

[mekina.livejournal.com]

I can certainly understand why, they have to fork out quite a bit of money.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

When I did Falling Skies, there were 300 of us there! (And you have to keep in mind that legally they have to hire some union members as well, and they make even more per hour.)

[nic]

Oh wow. That's really interesting - but so glad that at least your legs got into the shot! ;)

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Me too. :)

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

So your legs are famous now :)

Filming appears to be a crazy business.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

I'm interesting to see how much screen time I get in Falling Skies and Diary of a Wimpy Kid now.

[missyjack.livejournal.com]

Based on that rate, per hour of screen time you got paid $99,000 per hour of screen time!

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'm a star! Haha, no wonder actors make so much money.

[jenz-cdnwildone.livejournal.com]

very cool .. too bad they couldnt get your baclside in the shot .. hehee :0)~~~ wiggle it just a lil bit!! ;0)

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Oh trust me, there's a much less forgiving cap off the second second that I'm not showing you. :P

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

WOW!! You're a star! Nice days wages for such a short-lived scene.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Haha, yeah, not bad really. This is what they mean when they say that acting is mostly just sitting around waiting. :P