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France Jean-Baptiste |
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You Said
Dear Sister Baptiste: I saw the production of "At Last" a few weeks ago, and I have a newfound appreciation for Etta James.
I see why the play has been extended numerous times. I might even check it out again. All of the actors did a superb portrayal
of Ms. Etta's life, but I thought you were absolutely astounding. Your voice is wonderful, and I would love to continue to
support your performances - just let me know when and where. Peace, Adrian Sky
Fortunately for Taylor ( and more importantly, for the audience ) , we have five absolutely amazing
voices to thrill and touch us. When this show rocks, it’s hard to sit still. In fact, if you can sit still, you better
check your pulse. France Jean-Baptiste, Desla Epison, Dawn Mitchell, Carrie, and Melanie McCullough are not only gifted actresses;
they are dynamite in interpretation and vocal pyrotechnics ( James knew how to belt out a song ) . We’re treated to
about two dozen songs over the course of the show, and every one of them is a slam dunk.
Along the way, we're treated to stellar performances, from the twitchy, young, strung-out
Etta (McCullough) to the earthy, centered, eldest Etta (Jean-Baptiste).
WHAT YOU SAID Great grooves, soulful vocals, smokin' guitar. Hope to hear more.Maybe we can gig together. Raven Desmond Bob & Ann
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
January 4, 2004
BY BOBBY REED Extras, extras, read all about them!
George Bailey runs through the snow-covered streets of Bedford Falls, screaming "Merry Christmas!" to holiday
revelers. Boxing enthusiasts cheer as Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed slug it out in a grueling match. A doomed luxury liner,
carrying Rose DeWitt Bukater and Jack Dawson, leaves port while hundreds of well-wishers wave to the ship's passengers.
These scenes from "It's a Wonderful Life," "Rocky" and "Titanic" all feature the talents of extras -- those
unheralded, often unnoticed actors who populate the silver screen. Whenever a script calls for a bustling sidewalk or a crowded
airport, extras are called into service. Extras do occasionally get speaking parts, but their main job is to create ambience.
Robert Altman's film "The Company," which was shot in Chicago in fall of 2002, required dozens of extras to
portray audience members. This engaging drama -- starring Neve Campbell, James Franco and Malcolm McDowell -- focuses on the
onstage and backstage workings of the famed Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.
Several of the movie's dance productions were filmed at the Auditorium Theatre. Through the magic of camera
angles and editing, Altman creates the sense that the venue was filled with appreciative ballet patrons, even though he was,
at times, working with as few as 35 extras.
On a typical day of shooting, the extras' tasks were simple: They donned formalwear (provided by the wardrobe
department), they watched the dancers perform and they applauded on cue. Then they changed clothes, moved to another section
of the auditorium and repeated the process.
This work is often tedious, but it provides aspiring actors with a resume line and the instructive experience
of being in a major motion picture.
"I don't like the term 'extras' because it often has a negative connotation," explained David Levy, one of
the film's producers. "Some people use terms like 'background artists,' but in this context, I prefer 'spectators' because
they are audiences watching the ballet."
Local talent agencies, independent casting directors and open casting calls are three tools that filmmakers
use to gather extras. Levy, who has worked on nine Altman films, said, "We try to go through organizations that are already
linked to the subject matter in the film, or who have a particular interest in participating, rather than just using people
who are coming in purely to get the paycheck."
Like many of the extras in "The Company," France Jean-Baptiste
of Rogers Park got the gig through Ambassador Talent, a Loop-based agency. Jean-Baptiste has been an extra for many Chicago-based
productions, including episodes of "ER" and the 1995 film "While You Were Sleeping."
The 38-year-old professional vocalist admitted, "My first
experience as an extra was devastating. Everybody wants to be the star. You want to be in front of the camera, but you have
to realize that you're just the background. I stopped doing it for a while because I couldn't take that."
Jean-Baptiste enjoys steady work as a singer -- performing
frequently at the Chicago Music Mart and other area venues -- but she returned to acting as an extra in order to supplement
her income. For her work in "The Company" she earned $55 for the first eight hours on set per day (along with overtime pay
for additional labor).
Being an extra is obviously not a path to immediate riches,
but Jean-Baptiste had no complaints about her job of watching the Joffrey dancers. "That was the most fun of all the extra
work I've ever done."
Bobby Reed is a Chicago free-lance writer.
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