Experience of Being An Extra for Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Being an extra was far outside my comfort zone and I would do it again.I never imagined that extending beyond my typical comfort zone and answering a casting call as a movie extra in the Dallas-Fort Worth area  would lead to being a paid extra in a major battle scene of a major television show. 

But that’s exactly what happened when I landed a role as a Confederate soldier on the mini-series Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The series, a Paramount+ original, premiered on Nov. 5, 2023.

I’m not an aspiring actor; I just read a casting call that young men were needed for a show being filmed in the area. Since I am looking to reach out of my comfort zone, I thought it could be a fun thing to do. 

And it was. And wasn’t.  I’ll explain later.

The Bass Reeves Lawman Show That Had Everyone Buzzing

For anyone unfamiliar with the premise, Lawmen: Bass Reeves chronicles the real-life story of Bass Reeves, one of the most legendary lawmen of the Wild West. According to historians, he was born into slavery in 1838 but escaped to Native American territory when the Civil War broke out. After slavery was abolished, Reeves became one of the very first Black U.S. Deputy Marshals west of the Mississippi.

Reeves earned quite the reputation for his expert marksmanship and tracking skills, bringing hundreds of outlaws to justice without ever being wounded. He was also an expert in disguise as well as being a master shooter—with legend saying he was such a skilled marksman that he was able to shoot off a criminal’s gun belt without striking them.

His incredible true story was perfect for a prestige television event. And, no, despite what you may have thought, the Bass Reeves mini-series is not part of the Yellowstone universe.

Until recently, historical western dramas had fallen out of favor for some time, so expectations were high that the Lawmen Bass Reeves cast would breathe new life into the genre. Being from the Fort Worth, Texas, area and home to what is sometimes called, “Where the West was Won,” it’s no surprise that they chose this region to film a western.

When I heard they needed a hundreds of extras for filming Lawmen: Bass Reeves, I reached past my comfort zone and took the opportunity for a new experience. I submitted photos, measurements, and went in for a brief in-person once-over. And, that was it. I was hired.

Beyond the Comfort Zone:  The Big Day Arrives

Bright and early on a cold winter morning, I drove out West from my home to the massive set where they had recreated an entire 19th century frontier town.

After parking, I followed the signs leading me to the production office where I checked in and signed paperwork. I was handed my voucher for the day’s pay along with directions to the wardrobe tents.

The scale of the production truly sunk in as I walked amongst a small city of trailers, production trucks, and tents bustling with crew members. I was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but it was strangely exciting. Outside the wardrobe area, I lined up with other extras also playing Confederate soldiers. One by one, we were led inside to change into authentic period costumes.

The wardrobe team outfitted me in faded gray trousers, a button down shirt, tattered boots and a worn Confederate army jacket. They also gave me a musket for battle. I hardly recognized myself staring back in the mirror. The transformation was incredible. Suddenly I was a soldier from 1863!

Beyond My Comfort Zone and Ready for My Close-Up

After changing, I was ushered over to the hair and makeup trailer. The artists did a fantastic job making us look like real Civil War soldiers. My modern hair was tousled so I looked shaggy and unkept. Dirt and grime were applied to exposed skin making me appear sun-weathered and battle-worn.

Once my look was complete, I met up with the other soldier extras for directions from the Assistant Director. I don’t know what the finished scene will be like, or who is part of the lawmen bass reeves cast, but for filming purposes the opening scene went like this. Confederate troops were marching through a forest and suddenly we’re attacked by Union soldiers.

We’re losing, a lot of men are dying, there are tons of explosions, and many people decide to run away despite the commanding officers yelling at everyone to push forward. I was one of those people.

Going outside of a comfort zone and appearing in Lawmen: Bass Reeves as an extra was pretty exciting.For being outside of my autism comfort zone and have zero acting experience, I think I gave a brilliant performance. But like most people who are a movie extra, I didn’t make it onto show that I could see, other being one of the many soldiers. 

After that dramatic scene, which was shot and re-shot many times, the hero shows up and turns the tide of battle and mows down the Yankees, which inspires the Confederates to push forward and win the battle.

That’s where my scene ends. I’m not actually sure who the hero is from the directions on set, and I never got to meet the star actor played by David Oyelowo. Other notable names of Lawmen: Bass Reeves cast include Dennis Quaid and Christopher Corson with a guest role by Donald Sutherland. The scene takes place in 1863.

Lights, Camera, Action: The Film Set of Bass Reeves Lawman!

An anticipatory quiet fell over the set as the director prepared to call action. Camera equipment was wheeled into place on tracks directly in front of where I was standing.

This was exciting. I was on a real film set and I wanted to do my best for it when the director yelled action. Suddenly I heard the word.

I made sure to hit my marks, moving as directed while staying focused in character. We completed several takes, marching in place to look like advancing troops. Between filming, makeup artists darted out to touch up our dirt application and reposition any hairs out of place.

The hustle and controlled chaos of an active set was thrilling to watch. I was thankful for the multiple rehearsals which helped get any nerves out and allowed me to simply enjoy being part of the experience that fell far outside of my comfort zone.

Hours passed by in a blur as we shot the scene over and over from different angles.

A Wrap on an Unforgettable Experience of Being Part of Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Once the scene was completed after several takes, the director called wrap for the day. I was profoundly grateful for my experience as an extra who got to be front and center in an important establishing scene.

The exhaustion I felt was dwarfed by the excitement knowing I had just participated in something truly meaningful. It definitely met my goal of stepping outside my typical comfort zone and trying something new.

Seeing the hard work by hundreds of crew members reminded me that every single person is essential to creating a world-class production. I left the set tired but inspired, eagerly anticipating the show’s premiere.

No matter how small my role may look on screen, I got to witness firsthand the almost magical process of transforming words on a script into dazzling television entertainment.

For any aspiring actor or film lover or just anyone who wants a fun experience, I can’t recommend being a movie extra highly enough. Though it requires patience and long hours, the rewards are well worth it and it definitely gives someone a new perspective outside their typical comfort zone.

Getting to observe and interact with top professionals showed me how sets run efficiently without sacrificing creativity. I will remember this experience when I watch the show when it finally comes out in November.

My Step Outside the Comfort Zone:  What I Liked (And Didn’t) About Being a Movie Extra

I’ve already talked about some of the positive experiences of being an extra. One thing I didn’t was the surprisingly good food that extras were served.  One day, they served us steak, and it was really good. 

Being an extra was outside my comfort zone but it will be an experience I'll always remember.It was fun overall to be an extra, but there were some parts that definitely weren’t. The “not funs” included waking up really early so I could be at set and in the place they were filming. Since the scene was in a remote area west of Fort Worth and almost two hours away, I had to wake up super early and get going. It was also really cold in the mornings so when I was driving my windshield was freezing over.

I couldn’t see anything out of my windshield for a short time, which was definitely scary, but like a smart adult I pulled over and blasted the defroster and waited for the ice to melt because this opportunity was not worth dying for.

I should also point out that the days I was supposed to report as an extra kept changing due to weather, and on one day, everyone was at the location waiting when more bad weather occurred and the day was cancelled. So, patience and flexibility are needed if you want to be an extra.

There was also the repetition that comes with filming magic. The director has us do countless different takes of the same scene over and over again, and I know this is normal stuff for film making, which is one of the reasons why I don’t want to be actor. The repetition would just drive me crazy after a while.

Also, the makeup used on soldiers for Lawmen: Bass Reeves seemed to literally adhere to my face. The makeup artists put on a lot of makeup on you so you look like a soldier who hasn’t had a shower in weeks so when you’re coming home and want a shower it can take a while to wash everything off. Then you have to come back the next day so they put the makeup back on and rinse and repeat.

Between the constant applications and scrubbing, my face was red and dried out at the end of my part on Lawmen: Bass Reeves.

And, finally, we had to constantly had to be checked, and re-checked, for Covid throughout the process. I think I had about five different swabs done while I was an extra. One, I had to do twice, because the lab lost my results.  That was definitely not fun. Covid tests may not be currently required, but they will always be part of my memory as it was a requirement for working as an extra when this was filmed in 2023.

In the end, there are absolutely annoying and frustrating things you have to deal with when you’re an extra but there are fun and great things too. So don’t let any of this scare you away even if it’s out of your normal comfort zone. If you have the patience for it, this can be a great experience. My teeny role in the Bass Reeves Lawman series will always be a great memory.

For more on the mini-series, check out the trailer here. If you spot me in action, let me know, but at least know I’m in there somewhere. And, sadly, the reviews were mixed, with some saying the story wasn’t done justice. I hope you’ll watch it for yourself and decide. 

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Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!
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