MartinHafer This is one of the stranger documentaries I've seen in some time and I was surprised that the film actually hooked me and kept my interest. It's all about ten folks who are professional extras--and from what I was able to gather, that is their only job! Now considering how little it pays, it kept me wondering how they could afford to do this. Did they have spouses who supported them? Were they living off inheritances? I could see that in a few cases, they seemed to be living rather marginal lives.The film consists of lots of interviews and film clips with these people. As for the film clips, I really liked what the film makers did--turn the prints black & white and then colorize the featured extra so you can recognize them. Some of the interviews seemed very mundeane, some were moving and some made me laugh (such as the guy who seemed REALLY worried about doing gay roles).A few other interesting things to look for: the Asian-American guy who ends up getting chosen to play, of all people, Abe Lincoln! the big guy's room--you'd think that he'd clean it before the film crew arrived....at least I HOPE he hadn't cleaned it first! The film is, at times, rather sad and moving. Several of the people seemed to lead very marginal existences and it's easy to worry about them and their futures. These are odd folks, but the film does make you care about them.

thecamerons15 "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!

sierraskiier 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.

Jeff Beachnau 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.