Michelle Hendrix

Title: Leatherheads, feature film
Cast: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger
Extra:
Producers: Grant Heslov, George Clooney, Casey Silver
Director: George Clooney
Script: George Clooney, Stephen Schiff, Duncan Brantley, Rick Reilly
Meet Michele

Employed: Professional Extra (haha) and Domestic Goddess
All in the family: Husband of 16 years, 2 girls 2 dogs and 3 cats.
Hometown: Belmont, N.C.
Acting experience: Talladega Nights, Patriotville (2008), April Fool’s Day (2008), Asylum (2008), Ultimate Gift, and Leatherheads. All shot in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Quotable
‘I do remember going home and thinking how funny it was that my husband thought me, the movie star, was going to eat mac & cheese from a box!’
Michelle Hendrix

My friend and “extra buddy” Beth heard there was open casting at the Cricket Arena in Charlotte and went to drop off our pics and resumes. We got there and saw what seemed to be about a million people in line, hung out for a few hours and made some friends, some of whom I (Beth was not able to do the movie after all that) saw during the 8 days of shooting.
 
I was so excited when Tona called me to tell me that I would need to go to Statesville for a fitting! I left bright and early and really had a good time with the whole process, meeting the hair and wardrobe crew.

I remember seeing the warehouse full of all that clothing and remembering the smell; it reminded me of my 8 years old bedroom.

I had fun getting all my clothes picked out and remember the hair people telling me I had to dye my hair darker (it was blond) because it was the color of prostitutes in the 1920's.
 
I remember that first morning and the 4:30 a.m. call time. I remember going to the wardrobe tent and finding my stuff and thinking how very organized it was, I loved going to hair and makeup, too. Everyone was so nice. I went to breakfast and sat at a table and hoped that I would be able to “glob” onto some nice people. I ended up making what I think will be life long friends.

It got to the point that we all looked forward to seeing each other every day, I was spending more time with them that my own family, and they understood that I was a “movie star” now.
 
I remember the first time me and my group of friends saw George Clooney, we thought that he was so handsome and skinny.

I couldn't help but bring my camera with me everywhere, and I did get one picture of him, it was awesome to see the whole process, from the fake stadium to the helicopters flying overhead to the Kraft Service tables, (where I would take home pocketfuls of “gifts” for my kids.)

It was fun every day, don’t get me wrong, the hours were long but it was never really horrible. I do remember going home and thinking how funny it was that my husband thought me, the MOVIE STAR, was going to eat mac & cheese from a box.
 
The thing that I will come away with from my experience is, I made such great friends, some of whom I have done other extra work with since then.

I have been bitten by the extra bug, I don’t want to say any lines, I just want to hang out in the background and watch how these amazing movies are made and every now and then be able to say, “look, there I am!”

Michelle had to get rid of the blonde look

What was your casting call like?
My friend and “extra buddy” Beth heard there was open casting at the Cricket Arena in Charlotte and went to drop off our pics and resumes.

When we got there we saw what seemed to be about a million people in line. We hung out for a few hours and made some friends, some of whom I (Beth was not able to do the movie after all that) saw during the 8 days of shooting.
 
What was your reaction when you were called as an extra?
I was so excited when Tona called me to tell me that I would need to go to Statesville for a fitting!

What was your first day like?
I left bright and early and really had a good time with the whole process, meeting the hair and wardrobe crew. I remember seeing the warehouse full of all that clothing and remembering the smell; it reminded me of my 8 years old bedroom!

I had fun getting all my clothes picked out and remember the hair people telling me I had to dye my hair darker (it was blonde) because it was the color of prostitutes in the 1920s!
 
What do you remember reporting on set the first day?
I remember that first morning and the 4:30 a.m. call time! I remember going to the wardrobe tent and finding my stuff and thinking how very organized it was. I loved going to hair and makeup too.

Everyone was so nice! I went to breakfast and sat at a table and hoped that I would be able to “glob” onto some nice people. I ended up making what I think will be life long friends!

Did it get lonely playing hurry up and wait?
It got to the point that we all looked forward to seeing each other every day, I was spending more time with them than my own family, and they understood that I was a “movie star” now.
 
What was it like seeing George Clooney?
I remember the first time me and my group of friends saw George Clooney, we thought that he was so handsome and skinny! I couldn't help but bring my camera with me everywhere, and I did get one picture of him, it was awesome to see the whole process, from the fake stadium to the helicopters flying over head to the Kraft Service tables, (where I would take home pocketfuls of “gifts” for my kids.)

Did you get the “star” treatment at home?
It was fun every day, don’t get me wrong, the hours were long but it was never really horrible. I do remember going home and thinking how funny it was that my husband thought me, the movie star, was going to eat mac & cheese from a box!