Strictly Background

I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Interesting documentary about people that make a career out of being movie extras. It followed ten people around and showed how they handle being another face in the movie crowd. I really enjoyed this film because I'm interested in going into the film business and it would be fun to be an extra in at least one film.

It was great seeing how dedicated some of these people are. The documentary covered many of the basics about being an extra. How to get cast in a film, how to dress, how to act around the big stars, and many other things. I also loved how they showed the film clips and pointed out where the stars of the documentary were.

This movie will be really helpful to anyone that wants to travel out west and go into the movies.

Hollywood suits should be forced to see STRICTLY BACKGROUND to understand the honor, pathos and love of craft as evidenced by the background players featured in this film.The film has humor, desperation and hope.You will grow close to these individuals through their honesty and determination.In many ways the film mirrors life. You try to find something that fits you and you do your best. But your fate is in the hands of the movie gods. They hire and fire and if you're lucky they promote you.This film is for everyone. You do not have to be a movie fan to enjoy the stories the film unfolds. As someone who has been an extra, director and producer I highly recommend STRICTLY BACKGROUND.

"Strictly Background" is a great film! Two thumbs way up! There is a reason it has won so many awards and been featured at so many festivals. Director, Jason Connell does a good job of picking interesting characters to follow and then keeps the film moving. The music, editing and special effects also add to the momentum! It really sheds light on the "extras" industry and shows the ups and downs of being in it. You really feel for these guys! Finally these extras get to be the stars in this film. Bravo! It's all around fun! It's a must see! Can't wait to see what Connell has up his sleeve for his next project. He's one to keep an eye on!

I just left a screening of Strictly Background at the New Hampshire Film Expo. This is one of the most sincere and touching documentaries I've seen in a long time. The basic premise carries us to Hollywood and into the lives of Background Artists, or extras to us lay people. Extras are the truly unsung heroes of the movie business. Without background players, we wouldn't have movies. It's a really simple film that gives an honest glimpse of the life these folks live. Some do it for fun, some do it to break into the "Business," some do it for a few extra bucks. All the individuals interviewed have a true love of making movies, even if it's as set dressing. As the movie progresses it's informative of the movie making process, but at the same time it's emotional in the sense that we are following the hopes and dreams of all these extras. Some make it, some don't. One gentleman lives in a rented storage unit for $100 a month. We go to casting calls, jobs and "specs", where an extra goes to a set in the hopes they might be needed that day. By the end of the movie I realized I was rooting for all of them to get that next job. The director did a great job of drawing us into these lives and the emotional roller-coaster that goes along with this kind of work. Not an easy task in our cynical society. It's funny, interesting and at times heartbreaking. I highly recommend this film to any kind of cinema fan as well as anyone who is curious about the real Hollywood.

This fun, endearing film documents the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of a number of Hollywood's veteran "extras". You really get to know and love these people, and if at first, you wondered why anyone would put themselves through the aggravation of all those cattle calls and cold calls, and useless callbacks, by the end of the movie, you realize the love that these extras have for the movie-making process. They'll do anything to be a part of it, however small, brief, or fleeting. Director, Jason Connell, really captures the moments. He's there for the disappointments and the heroic moments of these actors—yes, the movie proves that even background players are truly actors. His use of clips from the feature films these extras have performed in is illuminating and hilarious. After spending time with the real characters in Strictly Background, you'll want to know more about their lives and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling. Do I hear a sequel or a TV show coming Jason?