Saturday, 25 January 2003...

I report to the appointed place and join the 199 other extras on the four busses they had ready for us. I'm seeing a lot of new faces, but plenty I recognize from previous gigs as an extra for "The West Wing".

As we chat and wait to be transported to the set, there's a stripping routine going on in the bus! We were all told to dress warmly in layers, as we'd be outside most of the time. Well, we obeyed...only to find that the bus heater was running at full blast! It nearly took an act of Congress to find a bus driver to turn it down. In the meantime, we were stripping layers off left and right!

Finally, we find out where we're going and what we'll be doing. We're extras along the route for President Bartlet's Inaugural Parade...only there isn't going to be a parade! Don't know why at this time.

We're told that we'll be staged in front of the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue. Extra's holding area? The busses! And of course...I picked the only bus without a bathroom!

So anyway...we drive to the location and we're all herded off the busses and told to get into the bleachers. As this scene is supposed to be approximately 4 hours before the parade, the PAs decide we need to be more "scattered", like we're the early birds. Of course, no one wants to leave the bleachers, because the Presidential Motorcade will be driving right past, and it's the best spot to be seen. I had managed to get a spot right in the middle, 2 rows from street level.

So to be fair, the PA called out, "Who has a birthday in January?" At first, no one raised their hand. He looked around at us, waiting. I raised my hand and called out, "Hey! At least I'm being honest about it!" (I was hoping that would earn me brownie points!)

Alas, that was not to be. Those of us with birthdays in January, February, and March were thinned out of the bleachers, and placed on the street corner, walking around, etc. I was selected out of the crowd along with a woman, and a guy who strongly resembled 'Baby Huey'! He was dressed kinda grubby, but I didn't think too much about it at the time.

Anyway, the three of us were placed across the street next to the camera. I got to looking at the angles and figured out that we would be behind the camera for the entire shot! Just as I was about to mention this to the PA next to us, Baby Huey asks him, "When do we get our vouchers?"

The warning bells started to go off. Some of us got vouchers on the bus, and the rest would be given out after the filming. We were already told that! I was getting a little suspicious of the guy, when he turns to me and my companion and confides, "I'm not part of the group! I just got off the subway and joined you guys!" He was tickled about it...I was pissed! Besides ripping off the casting company, he was horning in on a gig that the rest of us have to wait and hope to get! So, I did the only adult thing I could think of...I ratted him out!

I sidled over to the PA and explained the situation to him. "That's just wrong!" he exclaimed. He made radio contact with the person who was in charge of vouchers, and she met him across the street. He pointed out Baby Huey to her, and then returned to our side of the street. He moved closer to me and thanked me for alerting them to the 'imposter'.

We stood on our street corner for about 20 minutes while the crew set the shot. We watched as Martin Sheen and Stockard Channing pulled up in the Presidential Limo, where it looked like a shot had been filmed inside. They got out and were nearly mobbed by some extras and onlookers near them. They shook hands and stuff for a bit, and then were sequestered into another vehicle. The Presidential limo pulled up right in front of me and they removed the interior camera equipment.

A few minutes later, the PA in charge hollered at us to remember where we were placed, and to head back to the busses. Baby Huey trailed along with us for a bit, and then finally melted into the crowd when he realized that all of the PAs were watching him like a hawk!

When we got back to the busses, we had sack lunches tossed out to us...literally! A sub sandwich, chips, and a cookie. We were munching on those when we were called back to the set. My partner and I took our places next to the camera and watched as everyone got into position. I took this opportunity to ask the PA if we were even going to be in the shot in our location. He looked around and then said, "No! You'll be behind the camera!" I just shrugged and said, "That's where he put us." He shook his head and said, "We'll get you moved."

The PA comes back and moved us across the street, right on the corner. We'd be right in sight of the camera as the limo turned the corner! They took a couple of shots with us at this spot, and then decided to mix the crowd up a bit more. We finally ended up past the bleachers, along the metal barricade. It's a ways down from the camera, but you never know. We're all cheering and clapping as the Presidential Motorcade rolls down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol. I think the camera angle will include a shot of the motorcade disappearing down the street, with the Capitol in the background. It should look pretty cool.

After they shot that particular set up about 4 times, they put us back on the bus. We were transported back to the meeting place and released for the day! Five hours work...$100. Not a bad hourly wage!



Well, it was certainly a short day. I was done by 4:30pm...whatever would I do with the rest of my day? I know! I'll head over to the set on Constitution and see what's going on!

I don't take my camera when I'm working as an extra (not professional, you know!), but I did tuck my autograph paraphernalia into my gym bag. So, I head over to the set, armed with pictures and posters to be signed.

I get there and there are about 25 other people outside the steps of the Reagan Building. I hang around, talking with some fans I recognize from previous 'stalkings'! Pretty soon, a couple of guys come out in tuxes...it's Ed (Peter James Smith) and Larry (William Duffy)!

Most of the fans there don't recognize them, or are too scared to approach them. I walk right up and introduce myself. They introduce themselves, William Duffy (Larry) saying that everyone calls him 'Duffy'. I asked if they would sign my West Wing poster. "Really?" Pete asked. I assured them that they had a fan following all their own, and that the fans really appreciated their humor and deadpan delivery.

"Cool!" Pete said as he grabbed my pen. He and Duffy both signed my poster, and I told them about my website, The West Wing Tutorial. They thought it was a cool idea and asked for the URL. I gave it to them, but mentioned that I didn't have them featured on it, as I was unable to find any decent pictures of them on the internet. Pete admitted that he had done a Google search on his name, and found a couple of pictures. Duffy was surprised that I wanted a picture of them. They both promised to send me a photo of them for the website. To date, I've already received a nice picture of Duffy. I hope to hear from Pete very soon. (Hint! HINT!)

Shortly after my encounter with Duffy and Pete, Josh Malina walked over from the trailers. I was able to get his autograph on my big poster. He too, seemed surprised and a little embarrassed that people wanted his autograph. He's a really nice guy...he smiled a lot!

Brad Whitford showed up shortly after that. I was able to get his signature on my new Variety poster. He asked how things were going. I said fine, and asked if I could ask him a couple of questions. He just grinned and said, "Sure!". I asked if he was ever gonna get rid of Amy! I told him I had heard that one scene had him and others throwing snowballs at Amy's apartment window. He just grinned, and said, "Well, you never know!"

The other question I asked him was..."What was up with the Toby character and his ring?!?" I told him Aaron was killing the fans. For three years, Toby wore a wedding band. Most of this year, he hasn't. But, I see during this filming, he has the ring on again! What was up with that?

Brad smirked and said, "Well, you know what's going on with him and Andy, right?" I told him that I knew she was pregnant with twins, but that the majority of the fans felt that it was a result of artificial insemination. He grinned and said, "Well...I don't know about that! I think it was pretty natural..." He wouldn't tell me anything else about that situation...I told him he was killing me. Brad just laughed out loud. He said that I knew a lot about the show, and I reminded him that I was a die-hard fan, and that I had taken a road trip to Pennsylvania to watch the location filming.

The lightbulb went on and he said, "That's right! You were there!" He looked at me kinda like I was a circus freak. I just grinned and said, "No kids, no community property...and I love a good road trip!" He laughed again, and then some other fans stepped up, so I drifted away.

Soon after, John Spencer came out. As I already had his signature on my poster, I asked if he would sign a picture that I had of him. "Oh God! Which picture?" he asked. I handed him a picture of when he played a lawyer on "LA Law". "Oh! That one's not so bad! I thought you might have one from when I was a kid!" (Little did he know that I had bid on a photo of him on eBay, from when he was on "The Patty Duke" show. Unfortunately, I lost!) He signed my photo and shook my hand.

Next, I saw Richard Schiff. Again, the other fans were a little reluctant to approach, but I had no such problem, since we've met on several occasions. I asked if he would sign an Emmy ad for my long-distance pen pal, JenF. I reminded him that he had autographed a playbill from "Nightfall" for her over a year ago. He remembered that particular autograph, and asked how she was. I told him fine, but jealous! Richard's mouth quirked up in a slight smile and he signed a very nice note to her. I stepped away to let a few other fans have access to him. Shortly thereafter, he was called to the set.

I saw Stockard Channing and got her signature on my big poster! She's a graceful lady. Although you could tell that she wasn't used to this type of fan reaction, she was gracious and signed as many autographs and posed for as many pictures as she could before she needed to be on the set.

Next was Dule Hill. I again walked right up to him (what is it about fans stalking, but not having the guts to execute the maneuver?) and asked if he could sign a poster I had. I handed him a pen and told him I was happy to see that he was getting better storylines this year, as he signed the poster. "I'm glad, too!" he replied. He signed a few more autographs before he too, was needed on the set.

It was only after he had gone inside that I looked at his autograph. I had handed him the wrong pen! I handed him a red pen, which he signed his name to a sepia-toned Variety poster. You could hardly see his signature! I hoped that I could get him to sign it again the next day...in an ink that would show up!

I saw Martin Sheen shortly after that, but he was being hustled to the set, so I was unable to get an autograph for my new poster...maybe tomorrow.

Finally! Allison Janney was making her way from the trailer to the set. I was really surprised by the reaction of the small crowd...a couple of girls actually screamed, "CJ!". The rest of us laughed! I was able to get close enough to show her my big, original poster. Her signature, along with Rob Lowe and Aaron Sorkin, were the only ones that I needed to complete my collection!

As I showed her the poster and asked if she could sign it, she took it and my pen from me saying, "Well, this looks rather important!" I told her I had been waiting to get her autograph on this poster for over a year and a half! Ms. Janney just looked at me kinda strangely and said, "Well, I'm glad we were able to meet up!" (Be still, my beating heart!)

If you're wondering why I haven't mentioned Janel Moloney...well, she was there. However, she didn't appear to be in the mood to sign any autographs, or talk with the crowd. I heard some people say they thought she was stuck up, but I really don't think that's it. I think she's a bit intimidated by the crowds and all. She looked more scared than anything else. And I don't blame her...after all, we can be a rabid bunch, can't we?

Anyway...I had a great time that day. Plus, I still had Sunday to hang out, this time with my camera! I'll have more tales to tell soon...

Traveler

Bluemont VA August 2001

Washington DC November 2001

Washington DC February 2002

Pennsylvania Roadtrip August 2002

Washington DC September 2002

Washington DC January 2003

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