While many of us have dreamed about seeing ourselves on the big screen, the reality can be exciting, tiring, and even dull at times, an extra from Suffolk has revealed.
Sharon Teague is a graphic designer from Eye. She has been an extra in several films and television productions since first catching the ‘film set bug’ in 2018 when she was in the film Yesterday.
“I was one of a crowd gathered on a beach in the big scene at the end,” explained Sharon.
The final scene in the film, directed by Danny Boyle, sees Jack Malik from Lowestoft playing to thousands gathered outside the Pier Hotel, a real hotel in Gorleston.
“We jumped up and waved every time Danny Boyle said, look excited!” continued Sharon.
The experience left her fascinated with film production, and so she signed up with several casting agencies. Since then, her list of credits has grown.
She has now appeared Magpie Murders, The Detectorists and House of the Dragon, a Game of Thrones spin-off, to name just a few.
She remembers filming for House of the Dragon in 2021. “There was a room covered with blue screens, and you had to imagine there was a dragon chasing you.
“The days were very long. The first day started at 4:15am, to get us all into costume and makeup.”
Last year, Sharon appeared in episodes one and four of Magpie Murders as a funeral attendee, which she said was “really fun”. Sharon is one of the artists who have designed dog sculptures as part of Suffolk Libraries’ PAWS-itivity campaign. Her dog is inspired by her experience on Magpie Murders.
Those in the business gradually learnt the dos and don’ts of a film set.
“You have to learn to ignore the camera completely,” said Sharon. “I once had to be a diner at Milsoms at Kesgrave Hall.
“The camera came within a foot of my face, filming people at another table.
“You do get the hang of it. Whatever your role is, you go with it.
“There are always some who will try to push their way to the front and get in front of the camera, but that’s largely disapproved of.”
So, too, is approaching famous cast members.
“You’re expected to be discreet,” she said. “If they want to talk to you, though, that’s perfectly OK.”
One of the most famous actors she has encountered is film star Ray Winstone, who was “very sweet” and happy to chat with the extras behind the scenes.
It was in this film, A Bit of Light [2022], that Sharon saw herself prominently on screen for the first time.
“I was at an AA meeting, filmed in Leiston,” she said. “Earlier this year, I went to the film premiere at the Raindance Film Festival in Soho. It was a huge surprise, but I appeared really big on the screen.
“It was a bit scary, but fun to go to a film festival and see yourself on screen.”
Sharon thinks that many people would be surprised how dull being an extra can be at times.
“More often than not, you can be there for 10 hours, but only film for five minutes.” Mobile phones are confiscated, and so many extras come armed with a book to read.
Although Sharon said she still “cringes” to see herself on screen, for the most part, friends and family don’t recognise her.
“In Magpie Murders, I’m wearing a 1955 funeral outfit with a hat and coat. Then for House of the Dragon, I was dressed in rags and covered in dirt.
“Only I know it’s me.”
Sharon said that eagle-eyed viewers will see her soon in a film with a few big names – but thanks to a non-disclosure agreement she has signed, we will have to wait to hear who.
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