"Did you hear that, Matthew?"
Michael Shane stood up, his excitement palpable. "We're going to be part of a big project—Universal's 'Gladiator'! Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator'!"
The name Ridley Scott rang a bell, and after a moment, Matthew uncertainly asked, "Is he the one who made 'Alien'?"
"Yes, that's him! He's a top-tier director!" Michael Shane was visibly overexcited, grabbing Matthew's arm. "We're going to be part of a major Hollywood production, an A-list project!"
Matthew pulled his arm free, trying to temper his friend's enthusiasm, "A-list project? We're still just extras; I doubt we'll even get a front-facing shot."
While he was somewhat excited, he wasn't nearly as carried away as Michael.
"Uh..." Michael scratched his head, "Maybe I got a bit ahead of myself."
Helen Herman's voice then carried over to them, "This job will last a week on set. Those willing to go should sign up at the front desk now. Anyone who doesn't want to can leave."
A dozen people got up and left, while the rest lined up at the front desk to register. Matthew and Michael joined the queue.
Despite the need to take leave from Red Penguin Company, Matthew decided to go!
As Michael had mentioned, the job was for Universal's 'Gladiator,' a film Matthew remembered as being critically acclaimed and an Oscar winner.
As people lined up, Helen Herman provided more details about the job.
Originally, the 'Gladiator' crew planned to shoot a battle scene in the UK, but they ran into massive protests from environmental groups at the intended location. A forest that was to be used for filming was occupied by activists, forcing Universal to activate a backup plan and move the shoot to a forest in Northern California that was scheduled for logging.
Due to the change in plans, the crew had to drop their contract with a British extras agency and urgently recruit suitable extras back in Los Angeles.
Angel Talent Agency got a piece of the action, securing the gig to supply extras to play Germanic soldiers for the 'Gladiator' crew.
The job would last a week with a daily pay of $200, and the crew would handle transport and arrange accommodation and meals for all the extras.
In every aspect, this job was a significant upgrade from Matthew's last gig playing a dead body, the only issue being the tight schedule, with no time left to formally request leave.
After registering, Matthew immediately called List to fabricate an excuse about needing to return to Texas, managing to secure a week off amid some grumbling from the other end.
"Got everything sorted?"
Michael came back from making his own call, and Matthew nodded, "I got a week off. How about you?"
Michael shrugged, "The boss wouldn't give me leave, so I quit!"
After a brief chat, Matthew's gaze drifted to Helen Herman, still wearing her professional attire and black-rimmed glasses.
"This woman is no ordinary person," Matthew muttered to himself.
"What?" Michael asked.
Matthew shook his head, "Nothing."
He pondered over Helen Herman. Angel Talent Agency had just started and already managed to secure resources from a major production like 'Gladiator.' She must have a significant network, he thought.
And yet, Helen looked to be fresh out of college. Could someone so young really be running their own business?
Although new to America, Matthew's extensive experience in social circles told him that people like Helen often came from exceptional backgrounds.
Maybe Angel Talent Agency was different from other small-scale agencies...
Deciding to make himself more noticeable to Helen, Matthew knew that leaving a good impression could lead to being thought of first when jobs came up.
For someone at his level, leveraging opportunities was crucial.
After waiting over an hour, a bus arrived. Along with Michael and other extras, Matthew boarded, and they headed north out of Burbank.
"If only I could land a major role," Michael mused, looking out the window. "A single role in a film like this could change your life."
His eyes seemed to sparkle, "Playing a significant supporting character here could lead to lead roles in smaller productions!"
Matthew felt Michael was being overly optimistic, "Getting a clear shot of my face on screen and having my name in the credits would be enough for me."
"You're new to the industry," Michael replied. "Wait till you've been in LA for three years with no big break; you'll understand how I feel."
"Desperate to become famous?" Matthew asked.
Michael nodded emphatically, "Fame! In Hollywood, fame brings money, status, women!"
Matthew felt a kinship with Michael on some levels based on their conversation today.
It wasn't surprising; in this industry, especially among actors, who was really here for the art? Likely 99.9% were like him and Michael, driven by fame and fortune.
Two hours later, the bus
turned off the main road into a hilly area, stopped by the side of the road after a few more kilometers.
The extras waited in the bus, looking out at the edge of a small town surrounded by parked vehicles ranging from buses to cars and even cranes for shooting. Beyond, a sparsely wooded area was bustling with people and film equipment.
Michael watched eagerly, muttering, "I wish I were the lead!"
"Brother, you're dreaming!" a bald man in front heard him and turned around, "You won't be Russell Crowe even in twenty years."
Laughter erupted around them, and Michael's face turned red. He started to stand, but Matthew pulled him back.
"No need," he whispered. "Whatever you say, they'll take it as a joke."
Michael relented, whispering fiercely, "I'll remember them! Once I'm famous, I'll have them as extras on my set and see who laughs then!"
At that moment, the receptionist called everyone off the bus. Once down, Matthew saw that Helen Herman had already arrived and seemed to have just finished negotiating with a bearded crew member.
"First, we'll get everyone settled in, then stay close," Helen announced crisply and loudly. "Then I'll distribute the contracts."
Pointing to the receptionist, she added, "Hand your signed contracts to Amanda."
"No problem," Matthew moved closer to Helen. She glanced at him as she continued, "After signing, have lunch at the hotel where you're staying, and meet at the hotel entrance at 1 PM for rehearsals at the filming site."
"Do you need anything else?" she asked the bearded man. Seeing him shake his head, she addressed the extras, "Follow me."
Matthew and Michael quickly followed her, along with a long line of extras, into the town.
The Angel Talent Agency staff stayed at the same hotel. Despite her youth, Helen showed extensive experience, swiftly arranging accommodation for the extras and distributing contracts.
The hotel conditions were decent; two people per room, and Matthew ended up rooming with Michael, the only person he knew.
Possibly staying for a week, Matthew quickly organized his belongings, then reviewed the contract. Similar to other temporary actor agreements he'd signed, what mattered most to him was the compensation—$200 per day!
If the shooting really lasted a week, that would mean an income of $1,400, almost equivalent to a month's salary at Red Penguin Company.
Having been in the industry for a while, Matthew knew how rare such opportunities were and felt an increasing appreciation for Helen Herman, the young agent.
"All good?" Matthew closed the contract, looking at Michael.
Michael was still poring over it as if it were a blockbuster star's contract.
"Not done yet," he said without looking up.
As lunchtime approached, Matthew and Michael left their room, handed their signed contracts to Amanda in the front lobby, and then went to the dining room for a meal.
The production spared no expense. The lunch was not lavish but considerably better than what Matthew usually ate alone.
After eating and resting briefly, they followed Helen to the set on the outskirts of the town for an unmade-up rehearsal.
Hundreds of extras gathered at the set perimeter, the area flanked by woods with a cleared space in the middle, perfect for a battlefield scene.
"Everyone come over!"
The bearded man they'd seen in the morning appeared with a megaphone, seemingly in charge. "Line up at the edge of the woods in two rows, space out! Don't form lines! You're supposed to be clueless Germanic people!"
The extras swarmed into the woods, then to the edge of the cleared space, their disarray indeed resembling a horde of barbarians.
The bearded man stood on the highest nearby terrain. "When I say go, you all start howling! Angry howling, got it?"
"Go!" he shouted loudly.
Various strange cries instantly erupted, echoing far and wide.
Matthew also shouted with all his might, his face almost contorting with effort.
"Good!" The bearded man seemed pleased, "Let's practice the next part..."
Such battlefield scenes required extensive rehearsals before filming, and just the rehearsals for the scenes involving Matthew's group of Germanic people and the opposing Roman legion took three days.
On the fourth day, filming began promptly in the morning.