THE Mercury's Daniel Orr has returned to reality this week after tasting life as a film star. He spent last week playing the role of a waiter in Pride and Prejudice during filming of the ballroom sequence. Back in the office this week he finished off the final days of his backstage diary, allowing readers a unique look behind the scene.
DIARY ENTRY FIVE
I had to be on set for 7.30 this morning which meant an hour longer in bed, hooray.
I am one of three waiters, along with Liam from Peterborough and Jamie from Stamford.
Before each scene we decide how many tankards and gla
sses to carry and work out our route around the set.
However, these plans can all change – someone may stop you for a drink, a young child may steal a tankard and run off with it, or you may have to take a detour to avoid standing in front of Keira Knightley as she delivers a crucial line.
All of this means you get to use your imagination a bit, which is nice.
It's good fun to say the least. We are told to ad-lib with each other and look as if we are enjoying a great party.
The extras – many of them in a film for the first time - are really good actors, looking jolly and acting more drunk as the party progresses.
The director said he was impressed by our energy levels – not easy to maintain when some scenes need at least 10 takes before they are finished.
During the ballroom sequence there are around 12 dancers in the middle of the room. I have to cross the room several times and avoid bumping into them - which isn't easy.
On one attempt I collide with a dancer and watch as a tankard on my tray flew across the room - I'm not too confident this will be used in the film.
During the long days spirits do start to flag a little. It is tiring work, but the camaraderie between the extras is fantastic.
Everybody supports each other when they are feeling the pressure (and the heat) and production staff help by bringing water at regular intervals.
And during breaks in filming the good feeling continues as everyone chats together and makes new friends. There is a lot of laughter and a sense of fun.
Today I appeared in three scenes. None of us know if we will be in the film when it hits cinemas next year, but we all give it our best shot regardless.
It's easy to view big movie stars such as Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn and Keira Knightley not as human beings but as celebrities.
Being on the film set changes that perception – you see them around and realise they are just normal people doing their jobs just like the rest of us.
Patience and motivation are certainly very valuable for this job – as is a good book. Mick Jagger's biography has kept me company during the long hours waiting.
We leave the set at 7.30pm. Tomorrow is my final day on Pride and Prejudice and I intend to make the most of it.
DIARY ENTRY SIX
"That's a wrap!" called director Joe Wright at 7.50pm.
This marked the end of my final day on Pride and Prejudice and once again it was hard work but great fun.
I must admit I will miss all of the people on set. I had a really good time getting to know people and it was great being a waiter.
Today I was promoted from carrying a tray to holding a jug of ale – it was very heavy.
Today we filmed the final part of the ballroom sequence.
In the morning there was an extended dance scene and everyone agreed afterwards it had been great fun.
The energy created in the room, even on take eight, was incredible and it actually felt as though we were having a real party.
For this scene the evening had moved on so everyone had to act more drunk and tired.
Some extras came up with little scenarios between themselves where they had mock fights or got emotional with each other.
As I wandered round the room with the jug of ale, I spotted many pretending to be sick into a bowl or falling over in a drunken stupor.
If there was an Oscar for the best film extras, this group from Mercury Country would surely win it.
During the day Joe Wright said a big thank you and said he hoped the movie would reflect the amount of energy everybody had put in to filming.
Everyone certainly seems to have enjoyed themselves over the week.
One amusing thing has been the amount of celebrity look-a-likes on the set.
There's a Hugh Grant, a Kate Winslet, a Richard E. Grant and one of the cameraman is a dead ringer for Jim Carrey.
There was also a Keira Knightley - oh hold on, no that was Keira Knightley!
And me? Well someone said I look like one of The Monkees!
Before leaving the set I spoke again to Brenda Blethyn. When filming finishes October 1 she will be heading off to New York to star in a play on Broadway – acting really is a full-time job.
Once again Brenda was lovely and I enjoyed chatting to her and co-star Tallulah Riley – a wonderful young actress who I think will be a big star in the future.
As I drove home I thought how lucky I had been to have experienced life as an extra. I can't wait to watch the film at the cinema next year.
