Gag order sure dampens
fun of a movie star extra

Robyn’s Hood
By Robyn McCloskey

A few short weeks ago I finished work on my fifth movie.
Actually, what I mean is that it’s the fifth time someone has been foolish enough to pay me to play an extra, or "background," as we are now called. It also marks my third Mark Wahlberg movie. Not to mention my first movie by M. Night Shyamalan, the Pennsylvania-bred, famed Hollywood director of such hits as The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable and The Village.
He also directed Lady in the Water, which I personally believe got a bum rap. If you ask me, Paul Giamatti played to perfection the reluctant hero with the unusual name of Cleveland Heap. And Bryce Dallas Howard did an unbelievable turn as the believable sea nymph with the appropriate name of Story, playing the muse who is the catalyst for the interesting cast of characters, all of whom discover their destinies even when most of them were not aware they had one.
So needless to say I was thrilled to be chosen for a Shyamalan film, since I happen to think the guy is absolutely brilliant, not to mention pretty darn easy on the eyes.
I loved The Sixth Sense, even though I unwittingly shouted out to my husband halfway through that I thought Bruce Willis was dead. I didn’t mean to shout. It’s just so rare that I actually figure something out that I just couldn’t help myself. I know every other person claims to have figured out this movie, but I have proof as evidenced by the threatening looks of disgust from those sitting in and around my husband and me.
I did the same thing when I went to see The Village with my daughter Mallory, once again setting off the same looks of disgust. I like to think that M. Night and I are on the same wavelength. But I promise from now on to stop shouting out plotlines.
One reason for this restraint is that while working on Night’s latest masterpiece, I had to sign a consent form that forbids me from disclosing any aspect of the movie. I’ve been legally muzzled. Which means I can’t tell you anything about the movie or give you the lowdown on stuff that may or may not have occurred on the set.
But I don’t think I’ll get in trouble for giving you a few tidbits of information. Like how nice Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel, the female lead, were. You might remember Zooey; she played Will Ferrell’s girlfriend in the movie Elf. She also happens to be a ringer for the late great Miss Audrey Hepburn.
I was impressed how hard-working and friendly the crew guys were. And how amazingly kind Night was, especially to me, especially after I kept screwing up. Maybe after the movie’s release I can divulge some good information, but for now I shall remain uncharacteristically tight-lipped.
But I think I’m safe in saying that it was the best experience I’ve had thus far as an extra on a movie set. The stunt people were so interesting to talk to, and extremely buff. And the other "background" people I met helped make all that downtime fly by.
Which leaves me with the Teamsters, our very own Philadelphia Teamsters. When a movie is being filmed in and around the Philadelphia area, the Teamsters do the driving — everyone from the stars of the movie to us humble extras. They ensure that we arrive from point A to point B on time and unharmed.
And these guys take their job seriously. Never have I felt so taken care of, so safe. Daily I heard shouts of "Hey, you need anything sweetheart?" or "How’s your day going, honey?" or "Everybody treating you OK? ’Cause if they’re not, you just let me know."
So I would like to give a big shout-out to my friends the Teamsters, some of whom live in Northeast Philly and are regular readers of the Northeast Times. Thanks for taking such good care of me guys, and thanks for reading my column.
I may not be a movie star and I may not have my own personal bodyguard, but who needs one when you have the Teamsters on your side? And that’s a secret I’ll tell anyone who asks. ••
Robyn McCloskey’s column appears each week in the Northeast Times. She can be reached at crmccloskey@verizon.net