Behind the Scenes at POTC2/3: Costume Fittings for Extras in Los Angeles

By Diane B. Rooney (dianeroone@aol.com) February 17th 2005

Tuesday, February 8 started out as an ordinary day. I work at home, and since I was in the middle of a project, I decided to ignore the phone and cell phone until a suitable break.

I'd forgotten the first law for would-be background artists (extras). Opportunity doesn't knock, it calls. When I checked a few hours later, there were two messages from Sande Alessi Casting, saying I should call right away about an upcoming costume fitting, and two frantic messages from my friend in Sherman Oaks.

When I called Sande Alessi Casting, I got bad news first. Because I hadn't called back right away, they'd had to go on to the next person. I apologized and asked if there was any way I could have a back-up appointment for the costume fitting, covering for no-shows. They called back within fifteen minutes, with approval for the back-up appointment.

I was to go to the location of the fitting, and plan to be there for several hours until there was a break in the schedule when I could be seen. I explained that would not be a problem, that as a writer it would be interesting to talk to other extras about their work and their interest in Pirates of the Caribbean, and that I could get material to work into a behind-the-scenes article about the film.

There's a lot I won't be able to tell you about my experience. Like where it was and especially about the incredible costume photos and drawings for the sequels lining the corridors and walls of the dressing rooms. The journalist in me was dying to whip out my camera and photograph everything in sight, but the aspiring background artist knew how quickly that would lead to a hasty and permanent exit.

But there are some things I can tell you, like what actually happens at the costume fitting. For those of you who've never done this before, it will give you an idea of what toexpect if you ever work as a background artist.

Interesting information in the hotline messages from Sande Alessi Casting: Absolutely no acrylic fingernails, highlights in hair, or breast implants. (Apparently breast implants do not look good in the 18th century period corsets. Maybe the acrylic nails could damage the costume fabric and people with highlights would not photograph properly in period costume?)

Also, we were told to wear underwear and take a shower. Have people from the open call been living in character too long or what? And to be on time, or lose our spot.

I guess I can also tell you that the fitting was for townspeople on Tortuga and that the filming will take place in Los Angeles in March over two, possibly three, days.

Since I was told to be at the fitting location by 9AM Wednesday, I arrived around 8:30 to find parking and get situated. A few folding chairs had been placed outside the entrance.

This proved to be a good vantage point, as one of the first people to come out for a break was costume designer extraordinaire herself, Ms. Penny Rose, who was nominated for BAFTA, Costumers Guild, and Golden Satellite awards and won the Best Costume award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films for her costume design for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Fortunately I recognized her from the behind-the-scenes documentary on the Pirates DVD. She is even more impressive in real life.

Ms. Rose gave me a once-over and said, "Were you in the first film? No, you weren't, were you? Well, you are going to have such fun!" My reaction was, 'My God, she remembers everybody, since she approved the costumes for all of them'?

When I went inside to check in, my name was on the list to be fitted, but not until 5:30PM. I figured it was going to be a long day, but then they gave me my welcome letter, sessions payroll form, and the set of tags with my ID number that would be used to keep track of all the items associated with my character, and told to take a seat. Looks like I ended up being the first female extra to be seen and fitted.

Each ID tag said TCW and the number. TCW? The Costume Warehouse? Tortuga Cantina Wardrobe? Hmmm.

I was led into the costume area, where several dressing rooms had been curtained off. The open area was completely filled with costume pieces, organized by size and type on racks that seemed endless. It looked like containerloads of stuff had been assembled.

I asked one of the assistants if the costumes were new or being reused from the first film. She said they were new. One item that was tried on me had a 'London' tag on the inside - perhaps they were made in the UK?

You need to be comfortable undressing in front of people of the same sex and having them put clothes on you. The costume assistants and fitters were just wonderful. It was the first day of fittings for these scenes, and early in the day, so everyone was in a good mood. They study your build and coloring, then bring in various items to create a look. At this point the background artist is pretty much walking furniture - you just stand there while stuff is draped on you and scrutinized, and notes made of any alterations that need to be done. There are no mirrors in the dressing rooms or corridors, so you can't see what you look like.

I can't describe the costume but I will tell you the pieces that were selected: chemise, underskirt, overskirt, bum rolls on the hips to make the skirt stand out, stockings, shoes, jewelry, hat, and corset. And they are not kidding about the corset, which is the last item put on, except for the hat. In my case, I was told to bend forward while one fitter held my shoulders from the front and another tightened the laces in the back. Then I leaned backwards, and the corset was pulled down toward my waist.

The curtains opened, and I was presented to Ms. Rose for approval. She seemed to like the costume that had been put together (heck, I WAS the first person), trying a few small changes like the way the sleeves draped but rejecting them, and deciding not to have my skirt lengthened, so I could walk without tripping.

Ms. Rose reviewed every background artist - the actor in the dressing room next to mine, for example, was told he needed more color in his costume, so the assistants quickly went to get some alternate pieces for him.

From the costume area, I took myself and my tags to Hair and Makeup. These people were wonderful too. The stylists tried three different wigs before deciding on one they liked. I received just a touch of eyebrow makeup, to lighten the color.

I was told not to worry about the height of the wig, since it would be restyled before being used in the Tortuga scenes. Something said about being used first in The Wedding (now, I am not revealing anything here, as the wedding of Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner was mentioned in the Disney 2005 Investor Conference at the beginning of February: Captain Jack's problems throw a huge wrench into the wedding plans of the blissful Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann) Just imagine, my wig on the same set as Orlando Bloom.

The stylist took two Polaroid photos of my look, holding my ID tag. Next, I checked in at Props, but was told I might receive a prop on the day of the shooting.

Back to Ms. Rose for a final inspection with hair and makeup, then to the reception area for another photo with my name and number written on a whiteboard behind me. The wig returned to Hair and Makeup and I returned to the dressing room to get out of costume, with help. All my items were placed in a large striped plastic bag tagged with my ID number, hopefully awaiting my return. I nodded goodbye to Ms. Rose who said cheerily, "See you on the day!" (One can only hope.)

At the reception desk I completed my payroll form and my license and Social Security numbers were recorded. I thought I saw Director Gore Verbinski but from an angle, so I couldn't be sure. And then those famous last words, "We'll call you."

I was out the door before 10:30. Never got to talk to any other extras about their interest in the film.

With the exception of its stars Pirates is largely a character film. The crew members, soldiers, wenches, and townspeople are not all young and beautiful. They will be a range of ages and some will be fairly ordinary looking. I'm sure that's why I was called. And since then, I'm paying more attention to the phone, hoping to be called for filming in March.
 

Sincerely,

Diane
====================
Diane Rooney
San Francisco, CA 94107

'Pirates' Casting Call Draws 7000 Aspiring Extras, Sande Alessi Agency Still Seeking Applicants

by Diane B. Rooney
DianeRoone@aol.com
 

Pirates are back big time as a pop culture phenomenon, fuel by the success of Jerry Bruckheimer's 2003 blockbuster 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Sande Alessi Casting held its only open call for extras for the films' two sequels last Sunday at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre on North Vine Street, in a charmingly seedy area of Hollywood enhanced only by the stars on the Walk of Fame.  More than 7000 prospective extras showed up.

'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' grossed over $305 million in 2003 (behind only The Return of the King and Finding Nemo) and earned Johnny Depp an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.  It also launched dozens of fan websites, online galleries, and forums dedicated to cast and crew members from the first film and to pirate history, costuming, and reenactment.

Sequel production starts in March in Los Angeles, with filming alternating between there and St. Vincent (with other locations possible) through February 2006.  Principal cast members from the first film Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Kiera Knightley are returning, and Rolling Stone Keith Richard, an inspiration for Depp's performance, has been signed to play his father. Hong Kong star Chow Yun-Fat is set to appear as the famous 15th-century Chinese pirate Cheung Po Tsai.

Word of the open call spread like wildfire through fan sites and internet message forums following initial postings by Sande Alessi, also reaching registered extras and Screen Actors Guild members. The more than 7000 aspiring extras began to gather well before the 9 am open call.  A few were in full pirate costume while others suggested how they might look with accessories including hats, vests, frock coats, boots, swords, prop pistols, beaded hair dangles, do-rags, tattoos, belts and various types of bling including rings, necklaces, headbands, and bracelets, usually in multiples.

While the call notice specified people from the Los Angeles area only, hopefuls with family or friends in LA and flexible schedules came from as far away as Orlando, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Tennessee. In addition to snapshots, many brought photos of themselves in pirate costume.

Los Angeles TV stations Fox (Channel 13) was one of several stations that sent crews to cover the event.

Despite the turnout, Casting Director Sande Alessi was expecting more. "This was not as big as most open calls, mostly because we did not want to see children. I was expecting 12-15,000 people. By comparison, we had 6000 for each of the Austin Powers' sequels".  Depending on the film and the types of extras needed, an open call can draw, on average, from 3000 to 10,000 applicants, according to Alessi.

Ms. Alessi and her staff handled all applications between 8:30 AM and 5PM, collecting contact information, sizes, skills, experience, and photos. Wigs, eye patches, and beards had to be removed: "We need to see what you really look like," said Ms. Alessi. They spent the next several days sorting people into groups (pirate crew, British and Caribbean townspeople, etc), with cards and photos stacked all over the office.  She said the open call drew lots of  "great, amazing people" who will be called to appear in the films.

Auditions for pirate crew extras are planned for the third week of January with director Gore Verbinski and assistant directors. Ms Alessi explained that in the audition, "They'll select a prop and then be given a scene to act with it."  Pirate crew extras are being selected early so they can complete training in sword play and other pirate skills before filming starts.  They are meeting with Verbinski because the crew extras are so visible in the film.  Ms. Alessi will be deciding on the extras for the numerous other roles.

According to Alessi, ideal pirate crew extras should be scrawny (historic pirates tended to live on vegetables and rum), with long hair and beards. She is especially looking for people with a really emaciated look, pirate re-enactor experience, sailing or tall ship experience (including the ability to climb masts, rig sails, and row) amputees, and people with removable body parts such as eyes and teeth.

Although not part of the pirate crew, many female extras are needed, as well as people to play soldiers, marines, fishermen, and townspeople in Port Royal and other film locations.  Extras of various ethnic backgrounds will be needed, especially if Chow Yun-Fat's character needs crew members or other associates.

Ms. Alessi stressed that extras would be contracted throughout the year as filming progressed.  She encouraged prospects to provide as many phone numbers as possible, "even your mom in Texas," so the agency can reach them if their photo or experience matches the needs for upcoming scenes.

How many extras will be needed during the entire production?  "It's hard to estimate, but I would guess about 7,000, the same number we had for the open call," said Ms. Alessi.  She wants to see more people and urges them to call the agency hotline at (818) 725-2905 or visit http://www.sandealessicasting.com/new_forum.html for information.