contact home links about where i've been n stuff

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Being an Extra in Goshen

At the Southern end of Utah Lake, in Utah County (where I live, just south of Salt Lake County), there is a "town" called Goshen. The 2010 census reported 921 residents living in Goshen. It's tiny. I've visited Goshen three times in the past year.

Back in 2011, an elaborate movie set was built in Goshen by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (you know - the mormons) for an extensive production: The New Testament Project. The creation of several videos, an extensive visual library for use in classes and online. (You can read an article about this here - from the Deseret News and written by Scott Taylor.) 

Also in January, 2011, I auditioned for this project. A month later I received word that I had made the first cut to be an extra, or featured extra. At that point I stopped coloring my hair, as recommended for authenticity (even though Jewish women at that time covered their heads) (I still haven't colored my hair since then) (and I've only had about four haircuts WHAT). From then it was a waiting game. The wait to see if I made subsequent cuts. 

Finally I heard: I was being cast as an extra, and was asked to report to set in Goshen.

That was August, 2012. 

It happened to be the final day of shooting for Phase II. It was a long, hot day, and I loved being there. 

And then last month I was hired again for TWO days of shooting, right in a row. Those days were amazing, I'll never forget the experience.

While waiting to be called to set one of the days last month, I was on the phone with my brother (a rare moment of cell reception in Goshen) and described the scenes we were filming. He asked about the scenes I participated in last summer. I told him, and he said, "Wait -- isn't that one online?" I told him I didn't know. He pulled it up on his computer. "Would it be called, 'Render Unto Caesar'?" 

"Probably," I told him. Then I described the scene to him and where I was placed as an extra. I listened as he watched it. "Aaaaand THERE you are. You're right there. I didn't even see you."

Which is good. Because, you know, EXTRA. 

I wish I could show you pictures because MAN, hair & makeup do a fantastic job (I really looked Jewish those days) (I don't know what that means), but I can't because of the contract I signed. But I can show you this (just under a minute in length): 


If you're interested you can check out more Bible Videos here. As for the other videos in which I stood or sat or walked . . . I have no idea when they'll be available, but I'll let you know. And if you've been to Goshen, maybe you can tell me what that thing is that's built into the side of the mountain -- it's on the South side of the road, and you can see it on your right as you're driving back to I-15. Srsly, what is that thing? 

11 comments:

Unknown said...

How fun!

kaylynnczy said...

Wow! What a neat experience - this is seriously so cool!

Unknown said...

what an amazing experience! you are a great extra ;)

Clement Park Ward Youth Trek said...

How cool! That must have been an incredible experience.

Entirely Eventful Day said...

So cool! Can't wait to watch it...

Jen said...

So happy you were able to experience this! That set is amazing and the planning that went into it is unreal.

Gerb said...

My brother did this, too. It's fun for the kids and I to play "I Spy Uncle Chip" when one of the videos he was in show up online. I would never have recognized you if you didn't mention you were in this but you were easy to spot! This is so awesome. You'll have to remind me to tell you about the lesson I learned when my brother came by one day (long hair and beard) and I didn't recognize him.

Tara said...

Such an awesome experience. I did extra work in high school and loved it.

Elena Sonnino said...

This is just downright cool! I cant wait to say "I knew you when...." :)

Emmie said...

It makes me SO happy that you got to do this.

Vanessa Brown said...

How cool! I wish you could show pictures!