It might not be Shakespeare, but …
Posted by Ellee on Feb 22, 2007 in updates | 20 commentsI reluctantly gave up my salsa class last year as it clashed with a drama group my son James joined and I had to drive him to his acting lessons each 
week.
Now it all seems worthwhile as today he has his first professional role – as an extra on EastEnders. He is naturally thrilled and very excited.
We were up with the dawn chorus as he had to leave Cambridge at 6.30am. He was one of six who went from The Young Actors Company and they were collected by a driver/chaperone from the film studio.
James has heard from his fellow thespians that they will have their own changing room – with a view of Holby City from one of its windows. Barbara Windsor went over and spoke to a bunch of them who filmed there last week, but James has been told strictly that cameras and autograph books are banned, it is very much a day of work.
I don’t want to give away the plot, but James (14) had to wear a school uniform and will be filmed queuing at a bus stop, afraid I can’t say any more. It will be shown on TV in six weeks, but he was worried that today’s wet weather might lead to outdoor filming being cancelled.
The pic shows James (second right) who is very versatile and recently stepped in at the last minute in our theatrical village cabaret and played one of the Four Yorkshiremen, a Monty Python sketch. He is seated next to my husband Stephen with the fake tash who he has inherited his acting skills from. James has also played the Artful Dodger from Oliver and Bert from Mary Poppins, to name but a couple of his credits.
I did have a crack once at being taken on as a film extra, but without success as they only wanted size 0 women, though Stephen was offered a role and had a great time wearing tights and a plumed hat. Have you been hired as a film extra, or do you know anyone who has?
Kate, It’s worth knowing about the repeat fee, James will be chuffed.
Hi Ellee – glad to hear James had fun on Eastenders. I was an extra on the mighty ‘Stenders about 15 or so years ago (a bouncer on a night club door, ‘frisking’ people for drugs!!). It was a pretty long and tedious day, to be honest, but there was great food all day I remember! The best thing was, a few years later, getting a cheque from the BBC for about £5 as a repeat fee because they’d shown the episode on one of the new digital channels!
that’s great! you must be very proud.
Heather, I remember seeing The Camomile Lawn on tv many years ago, it was wonderful, how lucky for you, I wonder what you did.
janejill, I promise you I am just human, I’m sure I don’t do any more than anyone else. And yes, I do get tired, I love early nights. I do have down days too, as well as forgetting things, I am no different to anyone else.
I was in “The Camomile Lawn” years ago, it was filmed in Cornwall. Was quite fun, lots of waiting around for the stars to do their make up!
Well done.
Get him practising the phrases “‘ere, look after the stall for a few minutes will ya?” and “you muppet”, and he’ll be fine.
Excellent stuff, Ellee. With 6 mentions in one post, my namesake should also feel proud.
Good for him.. hope he progresses and becomes a star. Ellee, you just amaze me with your verve and energy; don’t you ever have a down-day?….do you ever forget to be somewhere? Don’t think so, somehow.
James is back home after a very memorable day – and he earned £30 too. He was filmed in three scenes, just hovering about really. Barbara Windsor’s changing room was next door and she popped her head through their door to say “hi” – isn’t she a champ? James saw all the cast, didn’t see the Vic unfortunately. He thinks it will be shown on TV on 19 April.
I took part in a film a friend was making for some film festival- it was only a half hour film. I was a Zombie.
I did have a friend who made quite a decent living from being an “extra”. She used to say that if you were reliable you always got asked again.
Anyway, how exciting for James – many congratulations to him – and you!
Never been an extra – however I was paid to be in a police line up which was an interesting experience!
every time I go into a pub (any pub) in Crouch End, I see Eastenders’ own ‘Minty’
Yup thats the one . He`s a friend of this chap Marian goes to baby things with. Neill MOrrisey is always in evidence and I tell you who I `m constantly notice
Gilbert and George . They live near Spital fields market and they look like a work of art.
I have caught an occassional glimpse of Justin Hinchliffe ,( star of stage and screen ..body of a Herculean athlete)
Newmania _ every time I go into a pub (any pub) in Crouch End, I see Eastenders’ own ‘Minty’ _ can’t work out whether he is the one with the drink problem or me. Muswell Hill is the best place for EE spotting: I’ve seen ‘Mark Fowler’, Phil Mitchell, his wife ‘Lisa’, and various others _ not to mention Les Dennis, Sean Bean, assorted newsreaders…. but I have now exchanged my soap addiction for healthier pastimes like blogging.
Newmania, you have certainly rubbed shoulders with a few stars. James will be impressed when I tell him you know Minty, he is also a fan of Richard Hammond, the pal you are meeting tonight wwill certainly know him.
Heather, James is extremely well grounded, in fact I embarrass him if we see someone famous and I get excited while he is ultra-cool. He is very modest and not at all boastful, and I did ask his permission before writing up about this. I will write an updated post when it is being screened.
Jim, strange saying, isn’t it, “break a leg”, I wonder how it derived. I did utter those sentiments before he left, hopefully he will still be able to stand in the bus queue!
Wow! I trust this will be the first step in a long and illustrious career ntramping the boards! May he break a leg
It is funny how being on the telly affects other people – I hope your son doesn’t find his new found fame overwhelming when his bus queue scene airs. Somehow, I think you’d keep his feet on the ground with no prima donna behavious allowed. Remind us when it is on nearer the time, please.
Fantastic stuff, how fun!
Not done any acting but i did star in a televison ad here…..was the most nerve wracking thing i have done!
Living in Islington and especially up to Crouch End you can1`t spit without hitting a soap person or media thingy.
I know Minty vaguely ( I’ve never actually seen East enders except a few minutes but I am assured he is in it ).There is a producer of Woman`s hour at our baby group and the women who was the love interest in some detective series and a comedian that writes a programme I also cannot recall and another actor who is on some film. We don’t talk about the work really its all about how to pay the Mortgage and what we are going to do to get out of the merde
The bizarre thing is that you have seen them all but I do not know who they are exactly . They do advert voice overs as well and you get this peculiar feeling that you have met before you have.
I also know Geoffery Shreeves quite well , he is a football commentator on Sky and his brother use to be married to my sister . I am meeting a chap who works for Jeremy Clarkson tonight for a jar or two . Honestly a day never goes past without seeing some celebrity. I saw a calculation that were about as many famous people in the world as the population of Windsor , Neil Craig`s book . I will quite literally be ten minutes each soon. I met Barbara Windsor once in pub in Upper Street (everyone meets her in a pub).
I went to the 1976 Olympic games and sat in front of Telly Savalas. My father was working in Canada at the time it was the Montreal debacle .
On bald people in crowds I `m told that someone once distributed his company`s free tickets to a Royal Albert hall event in such a way that the bald people spelt the world BALD when they tool their seats and the Cameras picked it up . they had to be swapped around .
I 1`m amazed you have a son so old Ellee , you must have been a child bride !