How to Get Your Wrist Into Spiderman 3 (or Another Movie)

Intro: How to Get Your Wrist Into Spiderman 3 (or Another Movie)

This short instructable chronicles how my friend stumbled into Spiderman 3, and how you can be in the background of a movie near you.

If you appreciate this instructible, please visit my blog for more ideas:
GoodCleanCrazy

It's obviously easier to get into a film if you live in a place where a lot of movies are shot (like L.A.). But in my friend's case, he took a college class that required travel to Manhattan. Perfect.

You can find the shooting schedule of various movies through online "insiders" websites or by looking at the fliers that movie crews leave around the city. Also, city film comissions have schedules of any filming that occurs. Or, have your friends stumble across the set and tip you off (my method).

On a nice Manhattan Sunday in the summer, my friend wore a wool suit to church, and a mutual friend told him where the set was.

He took the subway to the Spiderman 3 movie set.

STEP 1: Show Up at the Set

Show up at the set and take distant pictures of Toby Macguire in a spandex costume (the actors in your movie may vary).

Keep walking past the set, trying not to look interested (to gauge the level of security). Crowd scenes are your friend here, and this was a crowd scene.

Notice the fashion models boredly browsing the catering table, but don't take their pictures or talk to them, in case they get mad.

Borrow the port-a-john.

Then slowly walk back towards the set and nonchalantly take pictures of the surrounding buildings, the trees, anything but the set itself (to avoid looking suspicious, but still getting closer so you can see the set).

STEP 2: When the Cops Show Up . . .

When a cop shows up looking at you suspiciously, get really nervous. Wait until someone else nearby asks him a question about the movie.

Find out he's not a real cop! >_
Get your picture taken with him.

Continue talking with him until a crew member comes over and orders you onto the set. Here's where your clothing pays off. Apparently they shoot winter scenes in the summer and summer scenes in the winter.

In my friend's case a crew member yelled, "B-A-C-K-G-R-O-U-N-D! Background! This means you! If you want to be in the shot, follow me." So he did.

If you're dressed like other extras, standing in the shade talking to other extras, I guess they assume you're an extra!

STEP 3: Keep Your Camera Hidden

Take somewhat closer photos of the director and others. Realize if you were really good at spitting you could land a gob on one of their faces, but that would be super rude.

When they put you in the back and hand you a sign to hold, hold it up with pride! Or your arms!

Remember, your left wrist just might be visible in the final shot. Keep it straight and powerful-looking.

Smile your fool head off that for some strange reason of divine providence, you're gonna be in Spiderman 3 (or whatever movie you stumble into).

STEP 4: Stare at Toby Mcguire

When you get really close to Toby Macguire (because they tell you to stand near him) stare at him like you're at the movies. Get starstruck.

When he glowers back, (because extras aren't supposed to look at the stars--it distracts them from acting) pretend you don't notice you're staring at him (maybe he'll look away).

STEP 5: Just Walk Away

When a pretty crew member (or a not so pretty one) is ordered by Toby (or others) to politely ask you to leave the set, smile at the irony and say, "I don't mind at all! You have a great night!" And just walk away. Hey, they ordered you onto the set, they ordered you off the set. No hard feelings.

STEP 6: Spot Your Wrist in the Trailer!

Wait a couple months and watch the movie trailer. Look carefully for your wrist (remember, because you're six foot four you're in the very back).

Then wait six months (so as not to spoil anything for the studio) and have your friend post your pictures on the internet.


And that's the comedy of errors that got my friend's wrist into Spiderman 3! So look out for his wrist! And if you follow this instructable, I'll look for yours in a movie coming out soon. :)

Comments

[Sagestar11]

What if your to young for them to think your an extra?

[CrystalB01]

Genius

[IA3471]

Alternately, go to a few casting calls, and get paid to be on-screen...

[jeremy91511]

they filmed the other guys like a block away from my college. i was actually there during the wrecking ball scene

[cannonboy596]

Hey Royalestel  heres one thing that even you can't beat right were i live they were filming pirates of the carribean 3 at worlds end right at niagra falls they were shooting the part where the ship goes over the water fall in the movie i was lucky enough to talk to famous johnny depp all the other cast directors and junk wanted me off the set but johnny depp was the only one who wanted me to be on the set so i got to stay on the set and actuallly talk to him he gave me an auto graphed copy of the script before they even got 20 minutes of the movie filmed now i guess i'm frinds with johnny depp he i was anyway nobody can beat that nobody!!

[Meragness]

cool! I live in Los Angeles. one time they filmed on my street......it was I Heart Huckabees and mark wahlberg and.......the old guy were there. me and my sister rode our unicycles past and they let us be in the movie. also i guess there's a part of the movie where there is a photobook of sad faces so i was in that too....they were just going around taking polaroids of people looking sad.

[Bigdawg]

"... the old guy..." Dustin Hoffman? Did you just call Dustin Hoffman, "the old guy?" For shame, for shame! He is a MAJOR actor. Check out his page at IMDB It reads like a Who's Who of classic, groundbreaking, top-rated movies from every decade since the 60's!

BTW, I'm not ridiculing you or anything; I'm just shocked you didn't know his name.

(I hope that link worked right. I haven't posted here very much.)

[Canookian]

Your friend reminds me of Mark McKinney (From Kids in the Hall). I almost expected the box caption to say 'Im crushing your head! Im crushing your head! Youre a FLATHEAD now!'

[dragonflyguy73]

Haha that's pretty funny, but I don't know why people dream about being in movies and meeting stars so much, it doesn't sound that great to me. Although I won't deny I'd love gloating to my friends saying "hey look, that's me!" while watching a popular movie with them _. But I'll probably never be in a movie, and that's fine with me.

[hay_jumper]

This is hilarious and very well written. I'm gonna try to get on scene for Spiderman VII.

[royalestel]

Thanks for the compliment on the writing. I've een working on that. :)

[Nol.[an]]

Another way to get into a movie is to get your self an agent n from then on its easier cuz you get like 100 castings a day.... As being an actor in canada.... Since that i live right next Vancouver BC i found that its quite easy to get into films because most films these dayz are made in vancouver.... They have in the past couple of months n vancouver made "rush hour 3 and fantastic 4 and the silver surfer"

[royalestel]

Well, then you have to STAY there for hours on end. But you're right, it's easy.

[Run N Gun]

I think the rock at Peabody was also the same movie as he was shooting at my local North Andover ,MA air-port. =) . It was closed off to the public though. =(

[xboxteen01]

cool,disney is shooting a movie with The Rock at the Northshore Mall in Peabody MA. ill have to try your tips

[royalestel]

Yeah, let us know how it goes!

[anniemac]

pretty much an amazing instructable

[pablo]

This is not an instructable.

[nagutron]

It's funny and uses the site's tools pretty well. One of the reasons why Instructables are fun to read is because they often tell a story in addition to imparting some practical knowledge. This one pushes the line, but I enjoyed it.

[royalestel]

Sure it is. 1)Match your clothing to the season they're shooting. 2) Show up on the set. 3)Talk to an extra 4) Wait to be told to go onto the set.