Don & Sue Chantry

So, I had signed with an agency a few months ago, but because of a busy summer, I never applied for any of the jobs as an "extra". Things slowed down and so I decided it was time to give this "acting" thing a try! I had done some plays in High School, and was in ward Road Shows, and I had taken Eric to jobs when he was an extra when we lived in the Los Angeles area, and now I was going to be on camera myself! The movie I worked on last week and this week is titled "Scents and Sensibility". The first day I was on the set was at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. We filmed a wedding scene at the gardens. When the wardrobe lady first saw the red dress I had brought along (they asked me to bring 3 different outfits), she exclaimed, "You just became the mother of the groom!" That was exciting! I actually had a title to my role instead of "wedding guest"!! We filmed for several hours. It wasn't too hot of a day since there were clouds that would periodically cover the sun. Since I was "mother of the groom", I got to stand next to the male actors.(Nick Zano, Brad Johnson, & Jason Celaya). They looked familiar, and I later found out (in a search on the internet) which shows and movies they have done before. They were nice, funny young men. The ladies were beautiful, and I did the same search on them, too. (Marla Sokoloff, Ashley Williams, Danielle Chuchran). The other extras were really nice, and were easy to chat with. The shot was fun, but we had to do it over and over again. I am sure I will be in this scene as some point in the movie!! They did close-ups of our reactions, so who knows if they will use me or not? After we were done with this scene, we went back to the base camp on a little cart (I walked to the set, but it was now warmer, so I got a ride back). We changed clothes and sat around for 3 hours waiting until they set up for the next scene. I got out my camping chair, read a little, then settled in for a little afternoon nap.(15 min., maybe!) The wind started picking up and then the rain came! Some of us ran to our cars, but it was so hot inside that we all ran back to the shade shelter they had set up for us. All of the crew were at the next locations, so we sat there holding onto the shelter so it wouldn't blow away. Finally a crew member came back , brought us Subway sandwiches, and then told us to drive to the cafe for our next scene. In this scene I sat at a table with a man (he and his family run Silver Peaks Production, the company doing this movie). We had a salad (which we weren't allowed to eat) and a soda (they gave me a diet Coke because Coke had given them free drinks in exchange for advertising). We had to pantamine talking and eating. In between the shots, we chatted and I found out that they had done several other LDS movies that I have seen (one being "Beauty & the Beast: A Latter-day Tale"). He was very nice, and I had fun with that scene. Then they had me change clothes and they put me at a table with 2 teenagers. (One of the other extras was not being used and she said she was watching the monitor and IF they use this shot, I am seen right behind the actors!! But you never know which shot they will end up using!!) This was fun..we were supposed to be eating dessert. They gave me an energy drink (which was really an empty can). The boy that was with me was really good, and we acted really well together. (Now again, will we even be seen??) The girl was shy and had her back to the camera and she just sat there and nodded when I "talked" to her. They had me change back into the former outfit so they could film from a different angle, but then realized that the lights were now set up where our table was, so I got to sit and relax.

I got to the set at 8:15am (leaving my house at 7am, after getting up at 5am!) and they released us at about 8pm. I got home about 9:30 (after stopping at In-N-Out to get burgers to take home for me and Don). This was Tuesday, Sept. 14th.

The next day of shooting for me (they had other days available, but I had other things going on) was Monday, Sept 20th. I had to be at "Fat Cats" in Provo (across from Provo High School) at 9am. I still got up at the same time and left at the same time. I got there early, but that is good. I got my outfit approved, but when I went into the bowling alley, they decided to make me a member of a woman's bowling team, so I went back out to wardrobe to pick up my shirt. Well, the paint was still wet on the back of them, so they got out a hairdryer. I went back to the set and they later brought the shirts in. I was with 3 other ladies. My scene had me picking up my shoes from the counter with another lady, then we walk to our table to meet up with the other 2. Then we took turns getting up to bowl (where we actually just stood off camera for a few minutes and then went back to our seats as if we had just bowled.) and the others sat at the table reacting to our bowling. Then I had to get up and go to the bathroom (I had to wait for my cue...when the actor said "garden") each time. We did this over and over. (Since I had to put on and take off the bowling shoes each time, I decided to not put on the socks each time, and the camera wouldn't show that anyway) After a few shots, my feet were so sweaty! Yuck! After they shot this scene from several angles, it was time to change clothes again. This time the 4 of us were sent way down to the far end of the bowling alley and we actually got to bowl. (I broke 2 nails!) We had fun doing this, and got in some exercise, which was great! I know in this scene we will be so far away you won't be able to tell it is me, but hey, I am hoping I am seen in the other shots in my bowling shirt, but who knows? Oh! One time they filmed it I had to walk right in front of the camera, between the camera and the actors! Not too sure if I want that scene in the movie or not! LOL

After this scene, they fed us Costa Vida for lunch (since it was right there in the bowling alley). They always have lots of water, soda, fruit, chips, and all kinds of snacks on the set for us.

We changed clothes (again) and drove over to the old courthouse in Provo to film the next scene. I was picked to be a lawyer! It was hot that day, and while most of the extras (who were reporters) had to stand outside in the sun, I got to wait inside the courthouse with 3 other extras and the female lead actors. (the youngest was born in Upland, Calif, so she and I chatted about that). I had to follow the leads (they were a "family"...mom and 3 daughters) out of the courthouse and down the stairs where all the press/reporters were. Not sure how much (if at all) I will be seen in this sceen either, but it was FUN!!!

I will find out on Thursday if they need me for the Friday shoot. I hope so! I think it will be in Salt Lake, so the drive won't be so bad. Also, it is great fun! I think I am doing ok and doing what they want me to do. Perhaps when this production company does their next movie, they will contact me again. We'll see....