Leo Leung: Being A Movie Extra
Movie extras - can't live without them, don't notice them otherwise. Leo Leung tells TC Fung what it's like behind the scenes.
HK Magazine: Is being an extra the first step to being a movie star?
Leo Leung: Stars? Come on – they’re just ordinary folks. As a film student, I just want to expose myself to the movie-making industry and try to learn a thing or two about it. Some people do it to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities, but you’re definitely not a professional extra if that’s your only motivation.
HK: You think extras are professional?
LL: Sure. Most people believe that extras are just the "extra" part of a movie (Laughs) But seriously, that isn’t the case. Even as a passerby, you have to know how to walk while avoiding the main stars. If you’re just coasting through it, you’ll be in deep shit.
HK: Isn’t it an easy job?
LL: There’s no such thing as a free meal. We have to wait around for hours and hours with mosquitoes biting us if it’s shot in countryside. Sometimes we have to act like security guards to stop pedestrians from taking photos because it affects the filming process. Plus, the meals aren’t even fit for hogs - the best one I ever had is a box of "siu mei rice" (roasted meat in Hong Kong style).
HK: So you’re a fan of cosplay - do you like the movie costumes they give you?
LL: Definitely not! I like cosplay costumes because I feel like a whole different person. But the costumes for extras stink and sometimes make you itch. To make things worse, wardrobe assistants try to cover up the smell with air freshener – but you know how awful it is if you wear fake fragrances when you’re soaked with sweat.
HK: Why do you carry a bag of props with you?
LL: Directors may want people with different looks for different scenes, so with a wig or something, I can change my appearance instantly. And I bring chocolate bars because sometimes you don’t have time to eat.
HK: So it seems like a job as an extra isn’t all that.
LL: And you have to be prepared to go through hard times. Sometimes production assistants growl at you if you make a small mistake. There’s no fair treatment. And don’t even think about dropping out halfway through – the middlemen always keep your I.D. card until the second they pay you.
