Monday, 2 June 2014

Day in the Life of a Film Extra: Martin Scorsese's Mermaid

Before my days of fashion photography I was signed to a number of 'supporting artiste' film extra agencies. I have been on the set of adverts, TV series in addition to big budget films such as Robin Hood and Xmen; each an entirely different, unique experience to the next. I've been painted a luminous shade of orange as a Zodangian civilian in 'John Carter of Mars', choreographed to learn 1920s dance steps for a period drama and doubled for Marion Cottilard in a Miss Dior advert.



My most memorable experience on a film set was Martin Scorsese's Hugo. The scene was inspired by John Méliès, a real life french filmmaker leading many developments in the early years of cinema. 
His vision was experimental, often using special effects including multiple exposures, time-lapse photography and hand painted colour work to depict narrative scenes. A still from Méliès most recognised film 'A Trip to the Moon' is below. 



My role was to be transformed into a 19th century mermaid, the scene inspired by Méliès 'Kingdom of the Fairies'. In the lead up to filming I attended 3 costume fittings (two of which were at one of the largest costumiers in London, Angels) and one rehearsal on set. The set itself was breathtaking, a greenhouse like structure at Shepperton studios, designed to mimic the Parisian studio where filming would have taken place in the early 1900s. 



You can see me below on the right in the film stills. 


Poseidon sleeping whilst we play a comparably non 19th century game of Uno in wellys and hair nets...


Film production is an unbelievably complex medium, with one 20-30 second clip for example often taking a full day to film. The team involved to make it possible and the attention to detail in continuity, set building, hair & makeup, costume etc is phenomenal.

Although witnessing film production first hand is a bit of an anticlimax when it comes to eventually watching it at the cinema, my involvement has opened my mind to the limitless opportunities of creating visually stimulating images- a valuable experience which continues to inspire me today. 

Alice Luker
www.aliceluker.co.uk

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