Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-28
4 Day With an Extra" Girl
49,. in Big Mouie Studio

WHEN girl has been so fortunate as
W to obtain an "erta' role aud enters
a big studio TO begin her first ,c0rk in
motion pictures, she is probably i'm
pressed first Of all ,oith the magnitude
studio Of the size Of the LdSky pldnt in
Holypood. Calf. mhich is good
illustration Of West Coast conditions.
The nen girl sees mdrrelOus or
GGniSdtiOn. rith every one busy. She
sees notable and familiar people. And
she sees a large majority Of faces that
are utterly Unkn0pn, but rh0se pos.
SCISSORS may perhaps have rerp i'm
portant part in the making of the pic.
lures.
THERE are many things that as
L tonish the novice. First, there is
the wardrobe there are two Of these,
one devoted to the general productions,
the other exclusively to Cecil B. De-
Miles pictures. The first is under
the direction of Ethel Chafin. the lat
ter of Glare West. Each has a large
body of assistants and workers.
These departments are literally ex-
aggerated modiste's shops. A great deal
of material of the finest quality is al
ways on hand in the raw and made m,
but new gowns are costantly being
made for rhe stars and leading players,
while the extras and small part people
are supplied from the made over gar
mentS. which indeed are almost in
variably beautiful in the extreme.
The new girl, after having been Sc
lectad among others for an extra part
in Ne picture and checked up by the
casting department, is sent up TO the
wardrobe for a costume.
Take it for granted that II Is !" be
ballroom scene she will need an eve
| ming frock and is soon fitted by the
! experts in The department, Then some
more experienced girl helps her to make
nm If She is unfamiliar with it. and
| soon she is called to the set by The as
| Sistant director and supplied with her
! ticket, which must be signed and upon
which she collects her pay.
Our little girl sees a fully furnished
room with lights all arranged aud the
cameramen at their machines. The di
rector appears with his assistant and
script holder. The principals and the
| star arrive.
There is an orchestra playing soft
and dreamy music. The lights so on
"a binding glare OF white light It is
aud rehearsal having been accomplished
"camera" is called.
THE principals do their part; the ex'
l. tras have perhaps been dancing, OF
sitting about in their best ballroom
manner. Some young man in full dress
has been supplied as partner for ou,
little heroine and they chat animatedly
Soon the signal to dance is given 0nt
they are interviewer III the mazeS of ;
waltz or one step.
} Cut" comes the call and half
finished. the extras wait or return Il
, their sents.
So il goes through the day. Some
times there are long waits while scene
between the principals are being made
This sort of work may continue 70
several days. and then our little gir
finds that her work is flushed, Sh
may be called again in a few days
perha DIS not for a week or month.
Once familiar with the ropes sh
goes to the different studios and be
. comes acquainted with the casting de
partments. gets listed and may kee
, fairly busy il production is lively.
II not she may find the between time
, very tedious. That is why II IL so in
, advisable for a girl 10 undertake thi
} sort Of work far from home unless sh
, has some private means.
But IL is the one b9st way to stai
-. ..atl.ss N. .t..a..4l.