Extra! Extra! Read all about it

Yes I know, totally lame title but today was the day I was an extra on the set of Die Hard 5, A Good Day to Die Hard.

I guess I should probably start at the beginning in case you haven't been paying attention.  About two weeks ago there was a casting call that went out through the embassy that I answered and I had a fitting about 10 days ago.  They asked that I bring a couple of outfits that I would wear if I was traveling in the spring/summer so I headed out to a movie studio on the outskirts of Budapest with some cargo pants, polo shirts short, sneakers and sandals.  The fitting was at studio 21 and on the way there I passed vehicles and other props that were being used in the movie.  Studio 21 was basically a warehouse full of clothes and accessories.  I was one of the first couple to arrive and almost got put into a pilot's outfit (Oh, by the way the scene is a New York City Airport.  Yes, that's right Budapest is doubling as Russia and NYC, a very versatile city!) but one of the Assistant Directors said why don't we just make them passengers then we might be able to use them again in a later scene when we want real Americans.  So I tried on some of my clothes and they ended up using only my pants and putting me in a white T shirt, with a zip up hoodie, and green jacket and baseball hat.  The attention to detail and the amount of effort that went into a fitting people that are hardly going to be noticed  was crazy, an AD was there, costume designer and a bunch of other people running around helping making sure everything is just right.

Catering/dining

Make up/Dressing Area

Fast forward to today and we have to be at the Airport at 4:30 am! The Budapest airport had two terminals but because the national airline went bankrupt we  met at the one that was closed. The terminal was now set up with a make up area, dressing area, catering area and whatever else they need. After putting on my "costume" they told to go over to make up but was turned away as  I was told I was perfect as is.  My Mom has always said that but I never believed her! From there it was breakfast time.  They has pastries, bacon, eggs, cereal, a woman squeezing fresh juice, it was great.  It was a little odd, though because only Americans or people associated with the embassy or the movie were in this area, the rest of the extras were elsewhere.

La Guardia Airport, Budapest Style!

 After breakfast and a lot of sitting aroundit was off to Terminal 2, the active terminal for the shoot. The scene is supposed to be taking place in La Guardia Airport and consisted of a lot of standing around and then a little flurry of activity, kind of like really going to the airport.  The weather here has been really hot so I'm glad that it was early especially considering what they had me wearing.  I wasn't very close to Bruce Willis but supposedly for at least a few of the takes I was in frame but not in focus so I'll know me when I see the movie if those shots are used.  For other shots I was just kind of walking around.  It was a really cool experience and very interesting to see how movies are made. After seeing the man hours, attention to detail and everything that was involved in this scene, I don't think I will complain too much about the price of a movie ticket anymore.   In between takes the AD that I had spoken with before again mentioned another scene that I might be able to be in, so fingers crossed I'll be back on set again! better dressed I hope.

Die Hard Fitting Today

A Good Day to Die Hard - Budapest

So today I am going for a fitting for the crowd scene I will be part of for the new Die Hard movie.  They've asked me to bring a couple of outfits.  Not sure why I need to do a fitting for clothes that I own but I guess they just want to make sure we are wearing something appropriate.  Should be interesting!

My big break!!??

Our CLO (Community Liaison Officer) at the Embassy forwarded this email from someone with the new Die Hard movie:

Die Hard 5 is shooting a NYC airport scene on Monday, August 6th in Budapest and they are looking for extras.  They are looking for a diverse crowd.  They need business types, students, families, couples, airport staff etc. to create a really busy "authentic" airport scenario. There will be a fitting on this Friday and next Tuesday.  If interested, please call or email below.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

I've been exchanging emails with the person from the movie so keep your fingers crossed, you might see me on the big screen! 

A Good Day to Die Hard

 

So things did not feel exactly like home when we got back from our Ireland and Scotland trip, because the new Die Hard movie was shooting and once again turned our neighborhood into Russia.  No Bruce Willis sightings but I did walk around where they were filming a little and got some pictures of the Russia Budapest Style.

Normally a souvenir store

Usually the Matyas hotel and restaurant

Normally just sidewalk

Even the street signs are covered

It's pretty cool to see the attention to detail, the newstand they out up had actual Russian magazines and covering all of the streets signs to make it look authentic.

Die Hard

This picture was taken with an iphone while driving over the Erzabet bridge so you are going to have to take my word for it, but the bald guy in blue in the middle of the picture is Bruce Willis.  I mentioned before that a lot of movies are filmed in Budapest because it can look like a lot of other places and it is cheaper than filming in the actual places.  So now we have the latest Die Hard filming here.  Later in the day we walked the two blocks back to where they had been filming and saw that our neighborhood had been turned into Russia, there were Russian police cars, posters, flags and of course Bruce Willis to save the day.  Below is a picture of his trailer and a bunch of production trucks that are parked where the Bus stop normally is.  Can't wait to see the movie! When you watch it, be on the look out for a black SUV driving in the bus lane with an iphone sticking out the passenger side, that's us!