The life of an extra
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
October 10, 2010 10:18am CST
I just watched the movie Robinhood with Russell Crowe.
The movie was alright, but what really got me thinking was all the unnecessary deaths in the movie. There were fight scenes in the movie were a lot of soldiers died.
This made me think. How said is it for all of those soldiers to live insignificant lives. Not only soldiers, but also all other extras in other movies. To have go on with their lives (and death) with no impact or significance to history. Always living in the background of the stars, or even the protagonists of the movie.
Don’t you sometimes feel like that? Don’t you sometimes feel like an extra in these current times?
In real life, whose life and role are you living in the shadow of? Would you like to be a movie extra in real life?
2 people like this
5 responses
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
14 Oct 10
I actually would like to have the opportunity to be an extra in a movie, there is no questioning that for me. There have actually been several times where I could have been an extra in a movie because there are a lot of movies that are shot around here. That said, in the majority of my life I feel like I am playing a leading role. However, there are also times that I feel like I'm living in the shadow of someone else.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Oct 10
Now, if only movies where also shot here where I live!
I would volunteer myself. I may even skip work (so long as I also get paid! )
You're just living a life of a superstar dorann! Always the leading role, yet doesn't mind being an extra for someone else.
Have a gret day!
@hvedra (1619)
•
12 Oct 10
I don't agree that such "under the radar" lives are not significant. History is often about the people in control of various societies rather than the people they are in control of - but that doesn't mean they don't have meaningful or interesting lives.
Look at today's media, they will follow celebrities around and document every moment of their being but being documented isn't the same as significant. Each celebrity is only one person and they have the same range of emotions as we do
Politicians are the same, just people and _they_ are often puppets in much grander schemes. Often when we look at history, especially the more recent history, the people pulling the strings are often in the shadows.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Oct 10
But these people in the shadows, don't they become insignificant too? Just because they are pulling the strings, it doesn't make them significant in history. It's still the faces or personality that gets written down. And are known from one generation to another.
@RangaGirl (103)
• Australia
11 Oct 10
No limelight for me. I am happy living in the background. I suppose I am living in a supporting role to the three lead actors - my teenage sons. They steal the show but, without me, the movie wouldn't get made. Would I like to be a movie extra in real life? Sure, if it was one of my favourite shows (I'd kill to be on Dr Who) or with a favourite actor. It would always be something to remember - even if noone else noticed me.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Oct 10
I just made a realization in response above that we may be extras in history, and may look like the extra to our family (or to your sons in your case), but I think in their eyes we could also be viewed as their lead actors.
In any case, this gives our lives meaning.
Of course it would be more meaningful if we get cast as a real extra in a movie. I would get the DVD and show it off to my friends!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
10 Oct 10
I try my best to be a leader and team player in life, although I find that many courses in my life have made significant attempts to make me an extra. I try to be of good nature caring and understanding but somehow it just is not enough.
Perhaps I have just been around way to many wrong crowds as I would hope that those with the crowds could clearly see my wonderful side and not be so uncaring. It is not a good feeling to put forth so much efforts and yet people not understand the true meaning of my efforts so unfortunately I have been sort of a movie extra and it is just not a happy place.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
14 Oct 10
Same feelings here hardworkinggurl.
It seems like no matter how hard you work, it becomes meaningless because you feel that you are in the wrong crowd. Or at least a crowd that doesn't understand or is uncaring. I agree that it is not a good feeling, and it seems unfair. But I guess life is just like that.
Thanks.
