There are many valid reasons for the rule that extras are expected to not initiate conversations with the actors, particularly the stars of the show. First and foremost, the set is a work area and everyone has a job to do and idle conversations can adversely affect the work being done. Actors have to memorize lines and can't afford to be distracted. Another reason is that extras are largely unknown to the cast and crew, there for the day only, and are sometimes also fans. It is considered unprofessional for an extra to ask for an autograph or act like a fan in some other manner on the set. The more extras that are there, the more important it is that this rule be enforced.

I said earlier that extras come from all walks of life, ages, races, and backgrounds. It is also true that extras have all kinds of personalities and levels of intelligence. I've seen medical doctors and lawyers working as extras, and I've also seen some pretty weird people. You never know what one of these extras will say or do. For example, a story was going around that an extra had told Sharon Stone that he didn't wear underwear either, an obvious reference to her infamous scene in "Basic Instinct". I don't know if she replied or if he was disciplined, but it seems to me that it took an unusual person to say something like that under those circumstances.

Just as some extras might be fans, others may not know who some of the actors are. Another example I heard about but did not see, was a dance scene where the extras were to pair off and dance. One extra asked Angie Dickinson to be his partner, apparently not aware that she was one of the stars. She modestly replied that she had a speaking role. I can believe this because I had met her by chance in 1960 on Will Rogers State Beach. I was just out of college and was on an early morning walk on the beach when I encountered her. I recognized her and walked with her for about half an hour and she even gave me a ride back to where my car was parked. Although she was even then a movie star and I was just some dork, she was very nice to me even as she declined to give me her phone number. The point is that she is one of the nice people in the movie industry and when I hear a story like the one above, it is very believable.

Part of not talking to, or bothering, the actors is that cameras are forbidden on the set. It is taboo to try to take pictures of some of the stars. While working on the feature film "Body of Evidence" an extra tried to take a picture of Madonna. She yelled at him something to the effect that if he did it again she would break his hands. Her bodyguard confiscated the film, he was fired on the spot and asked not to return. I will devote a chapter to "Body of Evidence".

How strictly the "no talking to actors" rule is enforced depends on a lot of factors. Some of the things that may affect this are:

• The actors themselves
• The assistant directors and production assistants that enforce this rule
• The number of extras on the set
• The situation in which the talking occurred
• How blatant or subtle the exchange was

A few actors, such as Madonna and Eddie Murphy find it necessary to have bodyguards even while on the set. Most, such as Robert Redford and many others, do not. Although the better known stars are generally less accessible than lesser known actors and day players are, each individual is different.

I think this is a good rule and necessary to keep discipline on the set. Although I respect their talents, I am not in awe of celebrities such as athletes and people in show business. I have no desire to talk to anyone merely because he or she happens to be well known. On the other hand, there are occasions where, as a human being, it might be completely natural to say something. Being an outgoing person, I at times had something to say, but when I did, I approached it cautiously because of this rule. Although I rarely talked with actors, there were times it was appropriate. I'll relate some of these later, but a good example of a casual conversation is a brief one I had with Mark Harmon while filming the TV show, "Reasonable Doubts".

A scene was being filmed on a street corner outside a coffee shop in East Los Angeles. Mark Harmon was to walk into the coffee shop and I was to cross by his path on the sidewalk. While waiting for the scene to be set up, I happened to be standing next to Mr. Harmon. The UCLA basketball team had been beaten the previous weekend in the NCAA tournament after blowing a 17 point halftime lead. Knowing that Mark Harmon had been a quarterback on the UCLA football team, I thought he probably followed their teams. I remarked "The Bruins almost made it to the finals". He replied "They don't deserve it after blowing that lead".

The other aspect of being quiet on the set is the need for extras and everyone to be quiet when cameras are rolling and when scenes are being set up. Sound equipment is very sensitive to even the slightest noise, so it is imperative that the set be absolutely quiet when cameras are rolling. It is also important for the set to be quiet between scenes when the director, actors, and camera and sound personnel need to discuss and think through details of the next scene to be shot.

Since extras come with all levels of professionalism and experience, and since they are usually only on the set for one day or so, there is a need to constantly be sure that they are being quiet on the set. A professional extra will socialize only in the holding area and then only when it is far enough away from the set that the noise is not distracting to those on the set or to the sound equipment. A well managed production will ensure this.

While most extras are conscientious and diligent in trying to adhere to the need to be quiet on the set, there are always a few that don't know when to shut up. They make it more difficult for everyone. This is particularly true when there are a lot of extras, making it harder to control. I have been embarrassed at times when another extra tried to talk with me on the set at an inappropriate time.

Just as extras differ in the way they handle the need to be quiet on the set, production companies differ in how they enforce this requirement. Some are very strict and, in an effort to maintain control, require more silence than may actually be necessary. Others are quite reasonable. All require quiet on the set and for good reason. But the biggest difference is in the management styles of the various shows. Most schools of management in the 1990's emphasize a participative style of management where positive motivation is used as the tool to accomplish goals. Most production companies use this style to a degree, but also can be authoritative. One show stands out in my memory as using intimidation and a lot of yelling and screaming to manage not only extras, but also the crew and even some of the cast. This was the feature film "Dave", to which I'll devote a chapter. For purposes of this chapter I'll just say that extras were always being screamed at to be quiet when the talking was being done by crew members and not extras. I'll expand on this intimidation style of management in the chapter on "Dave".

To summarize, it is necessary for extras to be quiet when working, to not bother the actors, and to do a lot more listening than talking while on the set.

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This page was last updated on September 13, 2003